Now, for me there are two major issues at play here. Firstly that someone felt it was both appropriate and useful to outright ask if I have an eating disorder. And secondly, that someone would think it was appropriate to ask a complete stranger such a question. I know this is slightly off topic, but it's kinda like the general rule about asking if someone is pregnant or not....you just don't do it...ever!
I assure you I am no expert on either the DSM-IV or eating disorders, but I know that I do not actually have one. Yes because of my Celiac disease and my Type 1 diabetes and my personal desire to remain as healthy as possible for as long as possible, I have to watch what I eat. I have to monitor my carbohydrate intake and I have to ask questions (meticulously) before eating something I did not prepare myself. BUT I think that I eat just fine. The recipes, shopping lists and restaurant listings on this blog along are proof positive that in our house we eat quite well (personal pat on the back here for us).
I was floored that someone would ask me such a question. I was floored that this person felt that the food on my plate was any of their business. I was floored that people actually throw around such stigma inducing words so freely and assume that it won't be offensive. Ugh, people often seem to forget when to use their personal filter before speaking I think, but that's a topic I could blab about forever.
Some of you may already know this, but my work friends sometimes make fun of my lunches at work. They joke that everything comes in it's own little reusable container, often times it has a little post-it note attached marking the correct carbohydrate content and generally speaking it is a pretty well balanced meal (shameless ego boost). Whenever they make fun, I always respond the same way "yeah isn't it great! Doesn't this look yummy?" I can only assume that, at least on occasion, they are simply jealous of my well balanced, fresh, home cooked hot meal as they sit there and enjoy (I use that word loosely) their two pieces of bread sandwiched around some luncheon meat and mustard.
All I'm really saying is that I think even after thinking about this more, I still find it funny. Why are people who follow any dietary restrictions viewed (even just by select people) as having an eating disorder? Your guess is as good as mine, but I hope it makes you laugh out loud like I did.
Image: zirconicusso
Image: zirconicusso
As a nutrition student at the U of A I actually get this a lot. Not personally, but there is a stigma around my program that makes people assume we're all pretty blonde girls with eating disorders. It is frustrating, I will agree with you, but I am no longer surprised by anything anyone says about my eating habits. You gotta just take in in stride (which it looks like you do very well), and laugh it off. Maybe next time say "no, do YOU?"
ReplyDeleteI used to get asked all the time if I have an eating disorder, that is until I got pregnant a few months ago. It bothered me at first but then I got over it. People think that anyone who pays attention to nutritional content and doesn't eat certain foods has an eating disorder, simply out of their own ignorance, or sometimes because they're jealous of how thin you are or something. Either way, I don't let it bother me. You'll probably be asked again, just because of a "concerned" citizen. Just laugh it off :)
ReplyDeleteYou must know the difference of diet from a disorder. Too much dieting is already a disorder. On the other hand, if you found yourself doing binge eating, then you might need to consult your psychiatrist for further management.
ReplyDelete