In the opulent halls of Buckingham Palace, beneath the gleaming tiaras and the public’s enamored gaze, lay the deeply personal battles of Princess Diana. Eating disorder, a phrase rarely associated with the regal aura of monarchy, became one of Diana’s darkest yet most human chapters. Amidst the unparalleled privileges and expectations of royal life, her struggle with bulimia shed light on the immense pressures she faced and the vulnerabilities even a princess couldn’t shield from the world. This story delves into Princess Diana’s brave confrontation with her eating disorder, offering a rare glimpse into the human side of royalty and the omnipresent challenges that come with fame and responsibility.

The Golden Cage: The Reality of Royal Life

While the world often perceives royalty as an emblem of luxury, privilege, and admiration, life within the palace walls can be astonishingly different than imagined. Described by many as living inside a “golden cage,” regal existence is not just about extravagant galas, immaculate tiaras, or global adoration. It’s a life defined by its unique pressures, responsibilities, and magnified scrutiny that few can comprehend.

With her iconic charm and effervescence, Princess Diana seemed to be living a fairytale to the outside world. Yet, underneath the poised exterior, she grappled with the weight of constant public attention. Every move, word, and outfit was dissected and discussed, often robbing her of personal freedom and a sense of self. This exhaustive scrutiny, paired with the expectations of duty and protocol, can often create an oppressive environment, making the grandeur of the palace feel more like the gilded bars of a cage than the walls of a loving home.

Furthermore, being born or married into royalty doesn’t offer a manual for handling the immense expectations. Balancing public duties with personal desires, dealing with internal family dynamics, and upholding traditions that sometimes feel outdated in a rapidly changing world can all take a toll on one’s mental well-being.

Unveiling the Battle: Diana’s Admission of Bulimia

In the midst of her radiant public appearances and acts of charity, few would have suspected that Princess Diana battled with a severe personal demon: bulimia. The disorder, characterized by episodes of excessive eating followed by purging, was a secret she bore silently for years. It wasn’t until a candid interview in 1995 with the BBC’s Martin Bashir that Diana spoke openly about her struggles.

The source for it all was Diana herself, who, through an intermediary, passed the author confessional tapes: “The bulimia started the week after we got engaged and would take nearly a decade to overcome,” the princess recorded herself saying. “My husband put his hand on my waistline and said: ‘Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?’ and that triggered off something in me—and the Camilla thing.” Elizabeth Emanuel, the designer of Diana’s wedding gown, later revealed in interviews that Diana’s waist measured 26 to 27 inches when they started dress fittings. By July 1981, it had whittled down to 23.

In her own words, Diana described the eating disorder as a “secret disease” – a coping mechanism she turned to during the most tumultuous periods of her life. The pressures of royal life, a public and often critical eye, and personal challenges within her marriage to Prince Charles made her feel powerless. Bulimia, in a twisted way, provided temporary relief from those feelings.

Her brave disclosure had profound effects. For one, it brought attention to a disorder many suffered from in silence. Diana’s admission shattered the misconception that mental health issues only affected certain groups. It reminded the world that even those in gilded palaces, hailed for grace and beauty, can suffer internally.

Moreover, her openness paved the way for greater understanding and compassion. Many were inspired by her honesty, leading to increased discussions around mental health and encouraging others to seek help. Princess Diana’s revelation about her battle with bulimia highlighted the human side of royalty and showcased her enduring strength and resilience.

Behind the Scenes: The Triggers and Emotional Struggles

Princess Diana, a beacon of grace and philanthropy, seemingly led a life envied by many. Yet beneath her radiant smile were underlying emotional struggles that the public rarely saw. Delving deeper into the life of the “People’s Princess,” it becomes evident that multiple factors contributed to her battle with bulimia and other emotional challenges.

• The Weight of Royal Expectations:
  • Joining the royal family came with a unique set of demands. From rigorous protocols to strict public demeanor, Diana often felt caged, leading to an emotional strain.
• Media Magnification:
  • Being perpetually under the media lens, Diana’s every move, wardrobe choice, and word were dissected. The constant scrutiny and the media’s sometimes intrusive behavior exacerbated her insecurities and stress.
• Marital Difficulties:
  • The challenges in her marriage to Prince Charles were well-documented. Their strained relationship, marked by public displays of indifference and private disputes, undoubtedly added to her emotional baggage.
• Isolation Within the Palace Walls:
  • Despite being surrounded by staff, royalty, and adoring fans, Diana often felt isolated. The loneliness, combined with a lack of genuine emotional support, catalyzed her to seek solace in harmful coping mechanisms.
• Public Image vs. Personal Identity:
  • The duality of being the public’s adored princess while also grappling with personal demons created a chasm. Reconciling her public image with her internal struggles became an ongoing battle.

Princess Diana’s journey provides a stark reminder that behind the most luminous public figures often lie intricate emotional landscapes. Her battles and triggers underscore the importance of understanding eating disorders, compassion, and mental health awareness, irrespective of one’s stature in society.

The Royal Response: How the Palace Reacted

With centuries-old traditions and codes of conduct, the British royal family is no stranger to navigating sensitive topics behind closed doors. However, the modern media age meant many issues, including Princess Diana’s candid revelations about her battle with bulimia, couldn’t be kept hushed up. The Palace’s response to such personal disclosures was highly anticipated, especially one as significant as this.

• Initial Silence:
  • As is customary with many sensitive matters, the initial reaction from the Palace was one of silence. They often adopt a “never complain, never explain” stance, preferring to let matters dissipate over time.
• Subtle Support:
  • While no direct comment was provided, several royal family members showed their support in understated ways. Diana’s close relationship with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, meant that they were likely her most significant pillars during this time.
• Behind Closed Doors:
  • Much of the monarchy’s reactions and support systems operate privately. It’s speculated that Diana received some form of counseling or professional help, possibly facilitated by the royal establishment.
• Changing Tides in Later Years:
  • Post-Diana’s tragic passing, the royal family, especially her sons, have become vocal advocates for mental health. Prince William and Prince Harry have since launched initiatives and campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues, hinting at a more evolved royal stance.

Legacy and Lessons: The Lasting Impact of Diana’s Openness

Princess Diana, often called the “People’s Princess,” left an indelible mark on the world, not just through her charitable efforts and undeniable grace but also through her vulnerability and honesty. Her courageous admission about her struggle with binge eating not only shed light on the disease itself but also paved the way for a broader conversation about mental health and the pressures faced by public figures.

• Breaking the Stigma:
  • Diana’s openness about her bulimia nervosa challenged the stereotypes surrounding mental health. By speaking out, she conveyed that anyone, regardless of status or background, could be affected.
• Opening Doors for Others:
  • Her candidness provided solace to countless others suffering in silence. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, knowing someone as revered as Diana faced similar struggles made many feel less alone and more encouraged to seek help.
• A Shift in Media Perspective:
  • The princess’s openness prompted some sections of the media to approach the topic of mental health with more sensitivity, leading to more informed and compassionate coverage.
• Royal Advocacy for Mental Health:
  • Diana’s legacy in mental health advocacy was carried forward by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Their initiatives, like the “Heads Together” campaign, further advanced the dialogue around mental health and emphasized its importance in society.
• The Human Side of Royalty:
  • Diana’s admissions and subsequent reactions reminded the world that royals are humans with emotions, vulnerabilities, and challenges beneath the crowns and palaces.

In the annals of history, Princess Diana Spencer will be remembered not just for her glamour and philanthropic efforts but also for her raw honesty. By sharing her struggles, Diana’s eating disorder bridged the gap between the throne and the common man, emphasizing the universality of human experience. Her legacy is a testament to the power of vulnerability in enacting genuine change and fostering understanding.

References:

https://www.vogue.com/article/princess-diana-real-life-battle-with-bulimia

https://www.insider.com/what-the-crown-got-wrong-about-princess-diana-eating-disorder-2020-12

https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a34788133/princess-diana-eating-disorder-awareness-advocacy-the-crown/

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a34386217/princess-diana-bulimia-eating-disorder/

https://www.today.com/health/what-bulimia-princess-diana-s-eating-disorder-netflix-crown-t204713

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/princess-diana-eating-disorder-book-b2390743.html

In a society where weight and body image are often linked to self-esteem, many people find themselves in a dangerous dance with eating habits that may evolve into serious eating disorders. Having an eating disorder is not self-proclaimed; it needs a clinical diagnosis. Early recognition is key, and that’s where the eating disorder test can play a vital role. This vital tool can help individuals and their loved ones understand the depth of the situation and take the first crucial steps toward recovery. Today, we’ll journey through the importance of these tests, how they work, and why they might be the turning point for someone suffering in silence.

Understanding Common Eating Disorders: More Than Just Food

Distinct symptoms and behaviors characterize several types of eating disorders. Here are some of the most common:

1. Anorexia Nervosa: This disorder is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, leading individuals to severely restrict their food intake, exercise excessively, or use other methods to prevent weight gain despite being underweight. It can lead to severe physical health problems, including organ failure and death.
2. Bulimia Nervosa: Individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in recurring episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short period), followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives or diuretics to prevent weight gain.
3. Binge Eating Disorder (BED): People with BED frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and cannot stop eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors, leading to overweight or obesity.
4. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): ARFID, often diagnosed in children, is characterized by avoiding or restricting food intake, but not due to concerns about weight or body shape. People with ARFID may avoid certain foods because of their texture or color or may have a limited diet due to a fear of choking or vomiting.
5. Pica: This disorder involves eating items that are not typically considered food and do not contain nutritional value, such as hair, dirt, or paint chips.
6. Rumination Disorder: Individuals with this disorder repeatedly and unintentionally regurgitate undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, re-chew it, and then either re-swallow it or spit it out.

Suppose these disorders can all have severe consequences for physical health and can also be associated with other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of an eating disorder, it’s important to seek professional help.

Myths and Misconceptions about Eating Disorders

There are many myths and misconceptions about eating disorders, which can, unfortunately, contribute to stigma and misunderstanding. Here are some of the most common:

Myth: Eating disorders are a choice or a lifestyle.

• Fact: Eating disorders are serious and often fatal illnesses that are associated with severe disturbances in people’s eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.

Myth: Eating disorders are just about food and weight.

• Fact: While eating disorders often manifest as behaviors related to food and weight, they are usually tied to deeper psychological issues and should be treated as mental health disorders.

Myth: Only young, white, affluent women get eating disorders.

• Fact: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body weights, and socioeconomic statuses.

Myth: You can tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them.

• Fact: Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Many people with eating disorders look healthy yet may be extremely ill.

Myth: People with eating disorders are vain.

• Fact: Eating disorders are not about vanity. They are serious, life-threatening illnesses often related to various biological, psychological, and sociocultural issues.

Myth: Eating disorders are caused by the media.

• Fact: While societal pressures and media images can contribute to feelings of body dissatisfaction, they are not the sole cause of eating disorders. Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, and social factors.

These misconceptions can prevent individuals suffering from eating disorders from seeking help and can be damaging and hurtful. It’s important to understand the facts about these serious illnesses in order to provide empathy, support, and the right kind of help.

The Role of Eating Disorder Test: Unmasking Hidden Struggles

An eating disorder quiz, also known as a screening tool, is a questionnaire or assessment designed to help identify potential signs and symptoms of an eating disorder. These tests often include questions about a person’s eating habits, thoughts, feelings about food, weight, and body image.

An eating disorder test aims to detect early indicators of a possible eating disorder. These tests are not designed to make a definitive diagnosis, as only qualified healthcare professionals can diagnose eating disorders accurately. However, a positive result on an eating disorder test can serve as a critical warning sign that a person may be at risk and need professional help.

Eating disorder tests can be beneficial for individuals who may not realize their behaviors and attitudes towards food and body image are unhealthy or potentially dangerous. They can also be useful for parents, teachers, coaches, and others who may be concerned about a loved one’s eating behaviors.

It’s crucial to remember that if you or someone you know scores highly on an eating disorder test, it’s essential to seek a formal evaluation from a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders. These experts can provide an accurate diagnosis and create an appropriate treatment plan.

Eating disorder tests often include questions that help identify potential harmful attitudes, feelings, and behaviors associated with food, body image, and weight. Here are some example questions that might be included in such a test:

1. Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
2. Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?
3. Do you believe yourself to be fat even when others say you are too thin?
4. Would you say that food dominates your life?
5. Are you satisfied with your eating patterns?
6. Do you ever eat in secret?
7. Have you recently been so worried about your weight that you’ve been dieting in a persistent way?
8. Do you find that you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
9. Do you feel guilty or shameful after eating?
10. Do you exercise excessively to prevent weight gain after eating?
11. Have you ever used laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics to control your weight?
12. Are you currently dieting?
13. Do you avoid eating when you’re hungry?
14. Do you feel that others pressure you to eat more than you would like?

These questions are designed to highlight potentially harmful or disordered patterns related to eating and body image. However, these tests should not be used to diagnose an eating disorder. A mental health professional should always be consulted for a formal diagnosis and treatment options.

From Test to Treatment: What Happens After an Eating Disorder Test

After taking an eating disorder test, the next steps depend on the results.

1. Positive Indications of an Eating Disorder: The most crucial step is to seek professional help if the test indicates a potential eating disorder. Reach out to a healthcare provider who specializes in eating disorders. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or registered dietitian. They will be able to perform a more comprehensive evaluation and provide a formal diagnosis. They may utilize interviews, medical tests, and further psychological evaluations to make an accurate diagnosis. It’s important to remember that while an online test can indicate potential risks, it needs to be more definitive and replace professional evaluation.
2. Development of a Treatment Plan: Once a diagnosis has been made, the healthcare provider will likely develop a personalized treatment plan. This could include medical treatment, psychotherapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy), nutritional counseling, and potentially medication. Each person’s treatment plan will differ depending on their specific needs.
3. Family and Friends Involvement: If the person is comfortable, involving family and friends in their treatment may be beneficial. This can provide a valuable support system throughout recovery.
4. Regular Follow-ups: Regular check-ups and monitoring are important to ensure that the treatment plan works and adjustments can be made as necessary. Recovery from an eating disorder is a journey that involves many steps, so regular follow-up with healthcare providers is crucial.
5. Negative Indications of an Eating Disorder: If the test does not indicate an eating disorder, but the individual still experiences distress related to food, body image, or weight, they should still consider speaking with a healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Other mental health conditions or physical health issues at play may need attention.

Support Systems: How Friends and Family Can Help

Friends and family play a crucial role in supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. Here are a few ways they can help:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn as much as you can about eating disorders. This will help you understand what your loved one is going through and enable you to provide effective support.
2. Encourage Professional Help: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help if they haven’t already. Offer to help them find a healthcare provider or therapist who specializes in eating disorders, and if they’re comfortable, accompany them to appointments.
3. Listen Without Judgement: Be an active listener, offering empathy and support without judging. Let them know you’re there for them and they’re not alone in their struggle.
4. Avoid Triggers: Be mindful of food, weight, and appearance conversations. Avoid making comments that may inadvertently contribute to their anxiety or negative self-perception. Also, refrain from discussing diets, weight loss, or idealized body types.
5. Support Healthy Behaviors: Encourage your loved one to engage in activities that promote self-esteem and well-being. This could be anything from taking a walk, practicing mindfulness or meditation, or engaging in a hobby they love.
6. Stay Patient: Remember that recovery from an eating disorder takes time, and there will be ups and downs. Be patient and offer reassurance and hope during challenging times.
7. Seek Support for Yourself: Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder can be challenging and emotionally taxing. Consider seeking support for yourself, too, such as joining a support group or talking to a counselor.

Remember, while friends and family can provide essential support, professional help is critical in the treatment of eating disorders. Your role is not to “fix” your loved one but to offer support and encouragement while they navigate their journey to recovery.

References:

https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/eating-disorder/

https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/conditions/eating-disorders/quiz

https://centerfordiscovery.com/quiz/

https://rogersbh.org/edquiz

https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/for-adults/eating-disorders-clinic/a-test-for-anorexia

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/screening-tool

https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/eating-disorders-quiz

Are you or is someone you know a picky eater? Some extremely picky eaters may have an eating disorder called Selective Eating Disorder or SED, also known as Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This relatively new mental health condition is still not widely known or understood. This condition affects an individual’s relationship with food, causing extreme anxiety and fear of trying new foods or textures. But what is SED, and how does it affect individuals’ lives?

Often, picky eating does not interfere with weight status, growth, or daily functioning. However, people who experience consequences such as these due to extremely picky eating may need treatment.

Defining Selective Eating Disorder

SED is a condition where an individual’s ability to eat is limited by a set of restrictions they have set for themselves. These constraints include specific food textures, colors, tastes, and nutritional value. Those individuals with SED often have a limited diet, leading to a risk of malnutrition and other medical complications.

SED is not the same as picky eating or simply avoiding certain foods due to personal preference. Instead, SED individuals tend to have an irrational fear of trying new foods, leading them to stick to familiar options, often above their nutritional needs, as they offer an illusion of safety and control.

What is Food Selectivity?

Food selectivity is the consumption of an abnormally limited variety of food. Technically, any child who eats fewer foods than normal and who avoids any foods could be called food selective. However, we usually reserve this term for children who avoid one or more entire food groups.

The four food groups as we define them are:

1) Cereals, grains, and starches

2) Protein foods (meats, eggs, cheese, legumes)

3) Fruits and vegetables

4) Dairy products.

What is the difference between a “Picky” Eater and a “Selective” Eater?

Picky eaters may eat a limited number of foods but eat at least one or two from each food group. They have more balanced diets than selective eaters.

Selective eaters have aversions to many more foods or have unusual dislikes. For example, selective eaters may avoid all cereals, all meats, all cold foods, all foods with red color, all crunchy foods, all fruits, and vegetables, etc.

A child who eats no more than five foods would also be considered a selective eater. A typical food-selective diet might include pizza, chicken nuggets, milk, and nothing else.

Symptoms of SED

The symptoms of SED may vary from one individual to another, with some people experiencing mild to moderate issues while others may have severe symptoms. Some common symptoms of SED include:

• Refusing to try new foods or textures
• Restricting food intake to a few specific options
• Avoiding whole food groups, such as fruits or vegetables
• Being highly sensitive to textures, smells, or flavors
• Feeling anxious or upset when presented with new foods

What Is ARFID?

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder similar to anorexia. Both conditions involve intense restrictions on the amount and types of food you eat. But unlike anorexia, people with ARFID aren’t worried about their body image, shape, or size.

Many children will have phases of picky eating. But ARFID (which doctors used to call selective eating disorder) is different. Someone with ARFID doesn’t eat enough calories for their bodies to work properly. In kids, this can lead to delayed weight gain and growth. In adults, ARFID can not only cause dangerous weight loss, but it could also keep them from being able to maintain basic body functions.

Causes

Doctors don’t know what causes ARFID. Some experts believe that people who get it might have extreme sensitivity to taste or texture. They might have had a bad experience with food — like choking or vomiting — that makes them fearful or anxious about food.

People most likely to get ARFID include:

• Children who never outgrow picky eating
• People on the autism spectrum
• Those with ADHD

Kids with ARFID often have anxiety disorders. They also have a greater chance of other psychiatric issues.

Symptoms

Some of the physical signs of ARFID are like those of anorexia. They include:

• Severe weight loss
• Lack of appetite
• Abnormal menstrual periods
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Constipation
• Trouble concentrating
• Low iron or thyroid levels
• Slow heart rate
• Dizziness or fainting
• Feeling cold all the time
• Dry hair, skin, and nails
• Fine body hair growth
• Thinning of hair on the head
• Muscle weakness
• Weakened immune system
• Poor wound healing
• Cold hands and feet
• Swollen feet

People with ARFID might have behavioral or psychological symptoms, as well. For example:

• The need to dress in layers to hide weight loss or stay warm
• Drastic restriction in the types or amount of food they’ll eat
• Difficulty eating with others
• Fear of vomiting or choking

It’s worth noting that SED can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Therefore, seeking help from a qualified health professional is essential if you have concerns about your eating behavior.

Causes of SED

The exact cause of SED is unknown, although several factors could contribute to its development. Some of these factors include:

• Genetics: there is evidence that SED has a genetic component that predisposes some individuals to the condition
• Trauma: SED can develop after a traumatic event or experience with food, such as choking, food poisoning, or a severe allergic reaction.
• Sensory processing issues: those with SED can have difficulty processing sensory input, making foods with strong or unfamiliar flavors or textures uncomfortable or even painful to eat.
• Medical condition: History or tendency toward digestive problems such as reflux or complex medical history that affected interest in or ability to eat, like chronic constipation.

How to diagnose selective eating disorders

To determine if you have ARFID, your doctor will ask questions about your eating habits. They’ll want to know if you:

• Have a lack of interest in eating
• Avoid food based on things like texture or how it looks or smells
• Are very concerned about things that can happen to you while you eat, like choking
• Take a lot of nutritional supplements
• Use a feeding tube
• Only have eating trouble during bouts of anorexia or bulimia

They’ll also check to see if you have the following:

• Very low weight or major weight loss
• Malnutrition
• The trouble with daily tasks
• Another medical condition or mental disorder that better explains the problem

Treatment Options for SED

SED is a highly treatable condition but requires a comprehensive treatment approach addressing the underlying causes and symptoms. Here are some treatment options for SED:

• Nutritional counseling: a registered dietitian can help individuals with SED develop a balanced and varied diet that meets their nutritional needs. This personalized meal plan is focused on enhancing your nutrition and dealing with your feelings about food.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: a type of therapy that addresses the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to SED. This therapy can help individuals learn new coping mechanisms and techniques for managing anxiety.
• Exposure therapy: gradually introducing individuals to new foods and textures in a controlled and supportive environment.
• Medications: Sometimes, medication may be prescribed to manage symptoms or underlying conditions contributing to SED.
• Therapy: Meetings with a psychiatrist or psychologist to treat other mental health conditions that could affect your ARFID

Conclusion

SED is a challenging and highly misunderstood condition affecting individuals of all ages and genders. Understanding the symptoms and seeking help from a qualified healthcare professional if you suspect you may have SED is essential. With the right treatment and support, learning to manage your symptoms and developing a healthy relationship with food is possible.

References:

https://cedwvu.org/media/1148/feeding-behavioral-food-selectivity-2014.pdf

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-are-you-picky-eater-blame-genes-brains-and-breast-milk-180953456/

https://centerfordiscovery.com/conditions/arfid/

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/arfid.html

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/arfid

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/what-is-arfid

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=picky-eating-or-eating-disorder-88-p11049

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-arfid-4137232

Becoming an athlete is a great choice to build a person’s self-esteem, promote physical health, and increase social relationships. However, do you know that there is a dark side to being an athlete? This article will discuss how various competitions and activities could lead to eating disorders in athletes.

The occurrence of Eating Disorder in Athletes

When we talk about athleticism, we often emphasize the physical aspect of it. From having an exceptional body tone to maintaining an ideal weight, there is nothing else that we can imagine of how an athlete looks like.

However, being an athlete also has its downside. Other than staying in tip-top shape, an athlete must also struggle with other factors. To make it more specific, an athlete focuses on winning the competition. The mindset of winning during competitive athletic competitions can create a severe problem.

The pressures to become a winner can take a toll not only on the athlete’s physical health but also on their psychological condition. Athletes will develop a habit of keeping up with their competitors and zone out on social standards.

Eating Disorders in Athletes: Gender Distribution

Eating disorders are common among women. In several studies, female athletes tend to show more consciousness about their body image than male athletes. Some women athletes develop an unhealthy obsession with diet, food, and weight. This habit leads to common eating disorders such as:

Anorexia Nervosa

A person with this eating disorder has an excessive fear of gaining weight. They follow a severe calorie restriction on their diet, which causes extreme thinness. They find a distorted body image to be ideal than the normal one.

Bulimia Nervosa

A bulimic athlete has a habit of eating excessive and large amounts of food for a time but will eventually follow it with purging. Purging includes self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, and other ways to get the food out of their body.

Binge-eating Disorder

A binge-eating disorder becomes common to athletes when they find themselves in stressful situations. They lose control over their eating habits and eat large amounts of food. A feeling of extreme guilt often follows this habit.

What is the Female Athlete Triad?

The female athlete triad includes amenorrhea, osteoporosis, and eating disorders. Women athletes who happen to have eating disorders tend to lack nutritional value. When a woman takes in less than the recommended daily nutrition intake, she is prone to develop an imbalance of hormones. This hormonal imbalance leads to an abnormality in her menstrual cycle.

The female athlete may have frequent periods or a complete cessation of her menstruation, also known as amenorrhea. If a person has an irregular menstrual cycle, it can significantly lower calcium levels and bone loss. This condition will put the female athlete at a greater risk of having stress fractures.

Conditions that relate to the female athlete triad are a severe medical concern. These conditions can lead to life-threatening risks that are difficult to treat.

Who Can Have the Female Athlete Triad?

Even though all female athletes can develop this triad, adolescent women are at the most risk. Teenage girls are more prone to experience this condition because they still have active biological development and experience rapid body growth. Women in their adolescent years tend to deal with social acceptance, peer pressure, and other lifestyle concerns that may affect their diet and overall health.  

Coping with Eating Disorders

The key to coping with an eating disorder lies within self-love and acceptance. If you experience these eating disorders or happen to know someone who has one, it is essential to know your value regardless of your physical appearance. Here are some tips that you can help prevent eating disorders in athletes:

• Encourage healthy techniques that can help improve their performance.
• Work on balancing physical strength and building the right mental attitude.
• Look for a coach that could provide you with a positive influence on your body and appearance.
• Have enough motivation and enthusiasm that could shield you against peer pressure and stress.
• Develop an ideal plan that focuses on health and fitness.
• Understanding the way how your body works. Learn the metabolism process and natural ways that could help you maintain your weight.
• Talk to a mental health provider in case of mental health concerns.

Sources

(How Eating Disorders Develop in Athletes., November 2020).
https://www.verywellfit.com/eating-disorders-in-athletes-3119164

(The struggle is real: Life of an athlete., August 2017).
https://www.dailycal.org/2017/08/31/struggles-of-being-an-athlete/

(Why do athletes struggle with eating disorders?, November 2018).
https://www.magnolia-creek.com/eating-disorder-recovery-blog/why-do-athletes-struggle-with-eating-disorders/

In early adulthood years, the weight-obsessed culture can be quite tricky. Eating disorders in college students are mostly caused by the impression that skinny bodies are ideal. This concept of not belonging to the existing norms can lead to feeling inadequate and eventually distort their bodies’ perception. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia and have been increasing in recent years.

Body Image, Eating Disorders, and Mental Health

Eating disorder is a mental health concern, and the increasing number of people who continue to experience it can be alarming. Multiple behaviours that we can associate with eating disorders can potentially endanger one’s physical health and psychological well-being. Persistent thoughts of having a negative body image can lead some to believe that they should feel awkward, ashamed, and embarrassed about themselves. For some, they continue to convince themselves that they are not attractive and will never be. 

Through their eating habits, they manipulate and condition themselves to impart a distorted form of positive reinforcement. Thus, it is necessary for anyone who lives with an eating disorder to receive care from medical professionals. 

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of a dietician, a therapist, a medical doctor, and a prescriber working all together can provide you with the best support. Since an eating disorder is a complex mental health condition, particular interventions can help you stabilise both psychological and medical aspects.

Different Types of Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa is a form of an eating disorder that can be life-threatening. When one has anorexia nervosa, they manifest an exceedingly low body mass index with intense fears of gaining weight. They have a distorted perception of a healthy body image in which they feel the need to suppress their appetite. College students who have this eating disorder limit their food intake often at an alarming level. However, there are also some cases in anorexia nervosa wherein one will eat normally but eventually experience the urge to induce vomiting and purging after meals. Others also take laxatives and supplements or perform intense exercises in a conscious attempt to lose what they see as excess weight.

Bulimia Nervosa  

A person experiencing bulimia nervosa has the habit of binge eating and purging afterwards. Unlike anorexia, bulimia nervosa involves consuming tremendous amounts of food over a short period. After some time, they secretly go through an episode of getting rid of the food they eat by purging.

Some popular purging methods done by college students involve sticking their fingers on their throat to induce vomiting, excessively exercising, or the use of laxatives.  

Overeating and Binge Eating

Not all eating disorders are about losing weight. In recent studies, the most common eating disorders in college students involve tending to overeat, and binge eat. Individuals who experience excessive eating have the compulsion to devour everything and lose their sense of control over their consumption. College students are prone to this disorder for several reasons, including academic stress, growing pains, and negative emotions. They find comfort in indulging themselves with abnormally abundant amounts of food with the likelihood of being insatiable.

Even though overeating and binge eating fall into the same category, a small detail differentiates one from the other. We can characterise binge eating disorder by noticing episodes where one eats without control that could last at least once a week for over three months. On the other side, overeating is much less extreme and occurs less frequently. Regardless of their differences in frequency and duration, both can still cause adverse effects on an individual’s health.

While it is customary to enjoy food, particularly on special occasions, eating more than the usual can become problematic if done frequently. Excessive eating leads to unwanted weight and obesity, which can cause serious health issues if not addressed immediately.

Other Types of Eating Disorders

Aside from the above, more types of eating disorders still need recognition from various medical and mental health organisations. College students are more likely to experience some of these conditions, including the following:

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (EDNOS and OSFED) – these conditions involve individuals with distressing issues and symptoms around food who still don’t fit into a specific eating disorder.

• Orthorexia- an unhealthy obsession for eating healthy and being particularly fixated with food quality.
• Muscle Dysmorphia- this condition most commonly affects males who have obsessive behaviour towards muscle building and extreme diets. Bigorexia is a more popular term for this condition.  
• Diabulimia- college students who have type 1 diabetes withhold insulin and inject less than what is in their prescription to lose weight quickly.

Helping Students with Eating Disorders

Looking at eating disorders other than being a mental health condition is essential. With the high demands and pressures of college life, many factors can add up and contribute to these concerns’ development.

At this point, colleges should be well-trained and equipped to address and handle the increasing concern for eating disorders adequately. During their time at the university, students must be able to rely on counsellors as they are the only support system available at the campus. However, going to counselling centres can become a matter of embarrassment, which plays a significant role in identifying students’ struggles.

Aside from eliminating various factors that might cause trouble to students’ well-being, college campuses must be the avenue that will help put an end to mental health’s social norms.

Various organisations continue to find ways that will encourage everyone to seek mental help and counselling as needed. Making a positive shift to students’ mental outlook will not only change the way they see themselves but also help with their emotional struggles.

If the university cannot find a good counselling programme for its students for some reasons, reaching out to other local organisations and resources is necessary. With enough attention and treatment, we can help students be on their way towards a healthy mental and physical healing.

Sources

(Eating Disorders: Ending Unhealthy Standards of Beauty., April 2016).
https://medcenterblog.uvmhealth.org/mens-health/eating-disorders-ending-unhealthy-standards-of-beauty/

(What Are Eating Disorders?, January 2017).
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders

(Purging Disorder: What Is It?, February 2019).
https://www.healthline.com/health/eating-disorders/purging-disorder

(Binge-eating disorder, May 2018).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627

How do you perceive a perfect body? What is a positive body image? If someone asked you to describe your ideal body size and shape, what would it look like? What made you come up with that depiction? And what would you do to achieve the perfect body you are aiming for? These questions can trigger stress in people who have eating disorders and body image problems.

In fact, anorexia incidents among female teens continue to skyrocket in many parts of the globe. Depression, anxiety attacks, and other psychological issues also haunt people with eating disorders and body image concerns. But still, some people may wonder about their correlation.

Let this article show you the unfortunate connection between our eating disorders and body image issues so we can address them constructively. Let us find ways to break the cycle and maintain a positive body image. Allow us to show you how you can look and appreciate your body image without resorting to eating disorders.

How Body Image Issues Start

How does a perfect body look like? People will always have different perspectives on a positive body image when answering that question. In truth, one can easily describe the ideal body that they would want to have. But what we noticed is that their description is a clear indication of what they would wish to change in their bodies. Chubby and cute adolescent girls would want to have petite figures; skinny guys wish to have a buffed-up physique as if having a bulky build is one full meal away. 

For instance, one woman mentioned that she admires ladies with trimmed waist, full bosoms, and long legs. While saying this, we noticed her covering her love handles and getting even shorter when she stooped down, feeling self-conscious. This may start her wrong realizations, like resorting to eating disorders.

Body image: Front and Center

The way you see and recognize your physical traits is your body image. If your identification and familiarity with your size, shape, and appearance mirror how others look at you, then you have a healthy body image. However, if you struggle to see yourself the way others describe you, this can affect how you relate your insecurities and reality.

From the time you began to appreciate your reflection when you look in the mirror during your childhood, you are actually beginning to form your own body image. The way you dress, stand, walk, and make your body gestures suggests how you would want to look, not just for yourself but also for others around you.

As you grow up, several factors trigger your body image perception. People’s criticism, social media influence, and comparison to other people’s judgment in beauty distort your idea of how your body looks like. More often than not, the thoughts that you have — your many if only, I-wish’s, would-be, and should-be — would depict your insecurities and the drastic changes you would want your body to have so you can see yourself as beautiful.

Negative Body Image

Dissatisfied with how you look? Adolescent girls would want to lose weight and look like the models they see in magazines and TV ads. It comes to a point where their desperation leads them to hate themselves and not wanting to look at their images in the mirror. Several studies justify this action. Doctors and researchers find out that more and more males and females develop a negative body image of themselves, the more they get access and exposure to current events, social media, and critics.

Eating Disorders: The Wrong Perception of a Solution

When you see yourself as big and flabby, what is the first solution that you have in mind? I bet it would be that you promise not to eat the whole day. Don’t worry; many people think this way, but it does not mean it’s right.

If your weight is one of the things you think of as your flaw, you may develop the incorrect mindset that starving yourself is the best solution. As you struggle to lose weight, your mind or the destructive criticisms of people around you or on social media blur your mind, leading you to develop a negative body image associated with eating disorders.

Eating Disorders: Sorting the Classification

Several eating disorders made headlines as more and more people, adolescent girls, start to develop these, leading to negative body image and serious health conditions, even death. What eating disorder can we associate with body image issues?

Anorexia Nervosa

A well-known eating disorder that celebrities have when skinny models get the most attention. Patients with anorexia nervosa pay close attention to their weight, thinking of themselves as fat. The solution they have in mind is to skip meals so they would not gain weight until starvation becomes a habit they cannot overcome.

Anorexia leads to becoming underweight, having a weak and sickly physique, brittle hair and nails, as well as several developing hearts, brain, or multi-organ issues.

Bulimia Nervosa

If you have anorexia nervosa, you do not want to eat. But with this eating disorder, you tend to eat large amounts of food until you feel sickly full. Somehow, their brains tell them that they cannot stop eating, or they need to eat to mask the frustration of not being thin.

After eating nonstop, patients with bulimia nervosa forces themselves to eliminate what they consumed. They would either fast the next day, take laxatives, force themselves to vomit or exercise excessively until they remove the guilt of eating a lot.

Bulimia causes a lot of digestive conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, throat inflammation and pain, salivary gland infection, tooth decay and staining, dehydration, and hormonal imbalances.

Binge-Eating Disorder

In the US, this may be the reason why so many Americans are now considered obese—eating your heart out? Exactly. Individuals who suffer from this eating disorder guiltlessly consume large amounts of food in a day. Every day.

People with binge eating disorder do not control their calories, and they do not feel guilty after every ‘food fest’. But, the truth is, once they realized the harmful effects of their actions, they begin to feel ashamed and disgusted. However, they do nothing about it. In fact, they would still lose control of their food intake the next day, forgetting about their remorse the other day.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Sounds new? Well, the term Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) sounds new, but it’s from an established eating disorder. Patients like body-conscious adolescent girls with ARFID, as the name of the condition implies, avoid and restrict themselves from eating.

Unlike anorexia, where the patient wants to eat but starves herself, ARFID patients abhor food all in all. They detest social dinners and would make excuses to pass up on the invitation. As a result, they lose weight, have poor or low growth, and develop health and nutritional problems.

Other Eating Disorders

Do not get us wrong; we know for a fact that there are so many more eating disorders that we did not mention, like pica (eating inedible things), rumination (voluntary reflux), and night eating syndrome, among others. We specifically left them out because we need to concentrate on the eating disorders associated with one’s body image issues.

Eating Disorders and Body Image

How a person sees himself is a reflection of his body image. Suppose you negatively look at yourself, or you fail to see the good in what others appreciate in your body. In that case, you’re definitely a candidate for having a body image problem, typically called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

What do eating disorders and BDD patients have in common? Their obsession with their looks. How they weigh, their shape and size, affect their mood and their appreciation of themselves. When they feel that they do not look good enough, their self-esteem and self-confidence get affected, hurting their interpersonal relationships in the process. Some would isolate themselves and give in to their eating disorders until they feel good. On the other hand, weaker patients tend to succumb to their disappointment and begin developing depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations.

How to Address Eating Disorders and Body Image Concerns

The first step in finding a solution to turn a negative body image into a positive one is acceptance of the patient that she has a problem and that her actions are unhealthy and inappropriate. Adolescent girls need guidance from their parents and guardians, so their perception of a positive body image becomes clear.

Experts recommend counseling and reiterating the importance of having a positive body image and outlook as part of their intervention. A psychological evaluation may help to determine what thoughts trigger their eating abnormalities. They should know what makes them tick, to put it lightly.

With this evaluation, the practitioner can deduce the triggers you encounter. He can then help you find ways to handle them healthily and instill knowledge and understanding of how you should think and act when you encounter such a factor.

What complicates a condition is if a body image concerns combine with an eating disorder. For instance, women who starve themselves are anorexic (fearful of gaining weight) and have BDD (they are already slender but see themselves as overweight). Your therapist may need to customize a treatment plan specifically for your condition, as combing two or three different approaches may be too much and too confusing.

In dealing with body image issues and your nutritional concerns that eating disorders caused, the most important weapon is the strength and love we get from our social circle. Your family and close loved ones should act as your support system because their guidance profoundly affects your outlook in life. Surround yourself with the people who sincerely love and appreciate you.

Sources:

(Eating Disorders. Feb 2018).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20353603

(Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Eating Disorders. December 2020.)

https://www.verywellmind.com/body-dysmorphic-disorder-eating-disorders-1138186

(Eating Disorders. February 2016).

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

(Body Image Distortion. July 2020).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546582/

(Eating disorders (young people). October 2018).

https://healthtalk.org/eating-disorders/the-body-and-body-image

Have you felt guilty after eating a lot and binge-eating after a bad day? We sometimes have that urge; we fill our tummies with food when we feel down and disappointed. When it’s an occasional scenario, it can pass as a normal coping mechanism. However, if the binge-eating becomes a habit and it affects your overall health, relationships, and outlook in life, maybe you would want to consider counseling or professional help. There are also those who, instead of eating a lot, would not eat anything because of their fear of gaining weight. What’s worse is that they would stop eating because they want to punish themselves for something that they have done in the past, making this eating disorder a form of repentance or penance for them. And believe me when I say that the number of people who feel this way is continuously increasing.

In fact, the eating disorders statistics show that at least 9% of the world’s population is suffering from a kind of eating disorder. If anything, mental health problems cannot be resolved alone. Having someone to talk to can ease your mind and help you widen your perspective, so knowing if there is an eating disorder hotline available to assist you anytime you need help surely makes a difference.

Eating Disorders: A Brief Background

A person’s weight and physical appearance have been considered factors when establishing one’s mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. If you are on the heavier side, and you notice several flaws in your shape and curves, this may affect how you eat. Some would stay on the constructive side and change their diets to healthy ones, following exercise routines that help shape and strengthen their bodies. Meanwhile, those who succumb to the disappointment that they feel about their bodies would resort to habits that further damage their health, and one of them is eating disorders. Eating disorders can be on either poles or extremes – eating too much or not eating at all.

Bulimia nervosa. This is characterized by eating more than your average amount, then forcing yourself to vomit, take laxatives, or work out excessively to burn the excess calories you got from binge-eating.

Anorexia nervosa. This is the other extreme where you are almost afraid to eat because you feel that even a small amount of food would lead you to gain weight.

Another form of the eating disorder is brought about by the fear of being allergic to particular types of food. This is called the Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

If you feel that you have certain inclinations as to feeling these symptoms or urges, finding someone to talk to who wouldn’t judge you and would only listen somehow helps you have realizations and clarity.

Eating Disorder Hotline: Can It Really Help?

There are so many non-profit organizations that sincerely want to help people with their mental health, including their eating disorders. One of them is the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), an American pioneered group that helps prevent, provide treatment, educate, and advocate against eating disorders. They sponsor National Eating Disorders Week every year, and many who participate in this cause aim to raise social awareness of a health problem that can eventually affect one’s mental health. NEDAwareness Week, as it is internationally called, has an open invitation to volunteer professionals, medical practitioners, advisors, and counselors who would want to extend their helping hand in educating and treating patients who are suffering from this disorder. This occasion is not limited to diagnosed patients; even those who feel that they are on the brink of having eating or mental health problems are welcome to join.

Having a social support system that you can trust and rely on during a dark stage in your life is a huge help and a great stepping stone towards your healing and self-actualization. Knowing an eating disorder hotline that is available to you anytime and anywhere you are is a relief for a person who is always in a constant battle with his demons.

Not many people will regard eating disorders as a life-threatening condition. But if you think deeply about it, anything that negatively affects your mental health can inadvertently affect how you look at life. Your will to live and your perspective about the beauty of life becomes tainted with sadness, disappointments, and regrets. Not having someone to talk to makes you feel isolated and unwanted. With all these ‘demons’ wrapping your mind, depression develops.

Unfortunately, those who succumb to the grave symptoms of depression take their own lives with the feeling that there is nothing left to live for. And this is where support groups, help hotlines, and counselors enter the picture. If you, a family member, or someone you know is suffering from any form of eating disorder, allow them and yourself to know that there are so many eating disorder hotlines available for them and that they are not alone in this battle.

Eating disorders are not unsolvable problems. All you need is dedication, the will to correct your mindset, and the ability to push towards your goal into having worthwhile and clear mental health.

Pregnancy may be a demanding stage for women to manage. From dental health to the bone, reproductive, and even blood sugar, it may be challenging to juggle. But, one of the most important things to remember is to watch out for gestational diabetes. Having diabetes during pregnancy can be risky for both the mom and the baby. You may click on www.shchatswoodmedicalcentre.com.au/dietary-guidelines-australia for other dietary guidelines in Australia that may help you. On the other hand, this guide is meant for US pregnant women. If you want to refer to the right gestational diabetes diet menu, check your local health department for their guidelines. 

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Until now, scientists, doctors, and dieticians don’t know what causes gestational diabetes. But, many factors can trigger gestational diabetes, particularly for pregnant women. Gestational diabetes is an elevated blood sugar level during pregnancy that affects both the woman and the unborn baby. However, diabetes isn’t just a sugar problem; rather, it can lead to immune system disorders such as Type 2 diabetes. When the body can’t produce as much insulin as it needs, especially during gestational diabetes for both the child and the mom, the blood sugar rises. Hence, a scheduled appointment to an OB-GYNE can help mothers check if they have gestational diabetes. 

What Should Gestational Diabetes Patients Need To Watch Out For

It is risky for anyone of any age to acquire diabetes as there is no cure or treatment. Diabetes is a chronic disease, meaning the person needs to maintain their glucose or blood sugar throughout their life. So, the best medicine is prevention at this time. Apart from taking care of your gestational diabetes diet menu, there are other health problems during pregnancy that needs regulation. If you want to provide the best for your baby, you need to be alert for some symptoms and signs of diseases. Here are a few things you should know when you have gestational diabetes.

Complications With Prescription Medication

People with diabetes may also require to have prescription drugs from their doctor, particularly insulin, to help manage their blood sugar levels. But, pregnant women with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes must ensure that their current medications don’t conflict with other illness drugs. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) must have a diet meal plan that doesn’t have side – effects when taking anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medicine. 

Check Your Dental Health 

Sugar affects the whole body, not just the digestive systems, liver, or kidneys. Teeth will be prone to more cavities, plaque, and gum diseases due to gestational diabetes. So, a gestational diabetes diet menu free of sugar and calories can prevent oral health illnesses. Make sure that you’re taking care not just you and your baby’s physical health but also your dental wellness. 

Proper Sleep And Rest

It may not be enough to just stick with a diet meal that can give you an energy boost for the rest of your day. A tip for maintaining your body in its healthy condition is to sleep well and rest as much as you can. However, women with gestational diabetes must have balanced sleep and active hours to have a health plan before giving birth.  

Commitment To An Exercise Program

Aside from monitoring your symptoms, it may be best to follow a sample exercise program in managing diabetes mellitus. Recipes with carbohydrate and fats need burning, so gain more energy and decrease fat by doing light fitness workouts. Furthermore, a doctor may suggest an ideal weight during your pregnancy, so both your diet plan and your exercise program is a must. 

Sample Gestational Diabetes Diet Meal Plan During Pregnancy

Don’t know what to eat for you and your baby? If you’re worrying too much about the side effects of diabetes in your health, check out our diet menu. Dieticians can recommend an intake per grams, calories or serving. Hence, make sure that you talk to your dietician and nutritionist for advice on a personal gestational diabetes diet menu. Here is a list of what you, as a soon-to-be mother, may eat to maintain or prevent gestational diabetes. 

• Breakfast (Recommended: 30 grams)

Avocado

One slice bread (non-white)

1 Hard-Boiled egg = 155 calories and ½ protein

• Lunch (Recommended: 45 grams)

Brown or Wild Rice, Lentils

Chicken, Fish (salmon, sardines, or tuna), Tofu

Vegetables – Lettuce, Tomatoes

1 Medium Whole Fruit – Apple, Banana, Orange

• Snacks (Recommended: 15 – 30 grams)

*Can eat snacks in between breakfast and dinner

½ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (or blueberry parfait)

Mashed carrots with hummus

2 Tablespoon nuts

• Dinner (Recommended: 15 – 30 grams)

Salmon or chicken breast

1 cup of raw vegetables

1 cup fat-free milk

Additional Notes:

Although you may find a few of these foods limited to your tastes, you can refer to your doctor for their thoughts on salads, oils, fats (butter, margarine) and types of cooked meat. You may still fill hungry, but it is better to stick with snacks around 15 grams or less to prevent your increase in glucose production. 

Avoid These During Your Prenatal Stage:

Gestational diabetes comes from sugar intake, so, temptations like desserts, white bread, or fatty foods aren’t allowed. Here are other foods you need to stop eating while you have gestational diabetes. 

• Soda
• Juice
• Pasta
• White Bread
• Desserts With Sugar
• Candy
• Fast Foods 
• Processed Carbs
• Fried Food

Are There Risks With An Unmanaged Diet Meal Plan?

Since there is still no treatment for a diabetic person, it is best to consult a dietitian for a sample meal plan for your good diet. Food is still essential for day to day basis. Notably, women need to nourish bot her body and her child. But, apart from the easy recipes and ideas for meals that you can follow, you must first try to beat and manage your gestational diabetes as it is treatable. There can be certain risks that women may face when the time to deliver their baby comes.

Future High Levels Of Diabetes

Doctors say that when a woman gives birth to gestational diabetes, there is a chance of obesity or type 2 diabetes in her future’s health. Diabetes is a life-long illness that can even lead to fatal consequences. As people grow old, diabetes may show symptoms in the latter stages. Support your health by eating the right food for your prenatal health. 

C-Section Delivery

It may be hard to give birth to a 9-pound infant as overeating meals or carbs can increase weight gain for you and your baby. Ultimately, C-section or caesarian surgery is needed to have a healthy baby delivered. C-section nowadays is possible and more comfortable, thanks to modern medical surgery techniques. However, there are still risks with pregnancy for overweight babies, and especially it may take a longer time to give birth that can put the woman in serious health complications. 

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

According to doctors, women can experience respiratory distress syndrome where they can’t breathe properly. Since weight can collapse the lungs, fluid can enter the sacs inside the lungs and may be a cause of a severe health issue. Some cases suggest that this syndrome can even lead to death. 

Weight loss can either be safe or potentially break a healthy transformation from a week of workouts. Guys typically exert intensity in their workouts, thinking that introducing more pressure in lifting can improve their exercise. However, complicated issues come from these habits for weight loss. A simple cardio exercise to lose weight may even have more progress than fast fitness workouts. You may also visit this website if you want to include biking during your full workout plan. Furthermore, additional exercises and activities are beneficial to add to workout plans for men to lose weight. 

Is Weight Gain Higher For Men Or Women?

According to studies, men might have less fat and more muscle mass than others. However, during their middle age, people have increased body weight. Moreover, diabetes is prominent in women due to the hormonal imbalance that they experience. Regardless of the statistics, anyone can have diabetes as it is an immune system disorder. You may not just have to monitor your weight, sugar consumption, and daily activity, you must also focus on your internal organs. Skipping meals and relying on just bodybuilding can make your health condition worse. Support yourself by asking the best professional advice from a doctor to lose your belly.

What Is The Goal Of Weight Loss And Transformation?

Many aspiring weight loss transformers which are reading this article may think that the goal of weight loss and transformation only focuses on keeping yourself lean and thin. However, there are medical benefits of weight loss even during a week of workouts. First, lose your extra mass by walking at night or day as a start towards a healthier heart. Many heart diseases are common for men, particularly those who engage in smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Exercise for strength is ideal for keeping your calories balanced. A first-time loss can push yourself and motivate you to continue your journey for weight loss.

5 Workout Plans For Men To Lose Weight: Safe Than Sorry

Forcing yourself to undergo workout plans for men to lose weight that your body isn’t capable of doing can become dangerous. Some people that experience intense pressure and pain can suddenly collapse due to being hypoglycemic. It is vital to prepare for a procedure that can be done within a week or so. Exercises should improve your endurance and not make you feel more tired and depressed. Click this link to see more exercises.  

Align Your Dietary Restrictions With Your BMI

The body mass index benefits people who want to watch their loss without sacrificing their healthy organs. A lot of individuals who aim to build their brawn and burn calories rely on a week of monitoring their BMI. The loss of several pounds over a week or a few days is achievable through correct diet.

Don’t Go Overboard With Gym Equipment

Strength training, in general, can be done by running, doing bench press, or abdominal exercising. However, if you are someone with an insulin issue, these activities can take a toll on your workout program. Ultimately, if you have the endurance for a higher number of curls and squatting, be careful with your bone and tissue health. 

Practice Regularly To Lose Perfectly

Just because you started your workouts early on doesn’t mean you must skip the next hour. You may want to break it down into several minutes so that your body won’t feel fatigued every day. Routines not only include your day to day project for losing weight. A healthy workout strategy should also have a dietary plan included for a balanced method.

Focus On Building Muscle Instead Of Removing Fat

Did you know that most people think that removing fat improves the body’s health? Not entirely, as many people with diabetes may even rely on fat for their energy source during their treatment. A workout plan must consist of a holistic approach that incorporates all body parts. Vigour improvement together with allocating fat on these body parts can dramatically increase your stamina. You may visit https://www.ellipticalcrosstrainer.com.au/ to see useful gym equipment that helps to build stamina.

Consult A Doctor And Dietician Before Your Workout Plan

Ultimately, the wisest decision to include in workout plans for men to lose weight is to consult a medical expert. A dietician can benefit diabetic patients, as well as people who have eating disorders to monitor how they lose weight. Moreover, a doctor can also recommend treatments on the side – effects of pain during your exercise plan.

Reminders For Preventing Muscle Fatigue

While it is commendable to achieve a week of weight loss, over fatigue of the muscles and bones can be harmful. One tip to prevent acquiring chronic fatigue is to always rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes to cool down your temperature and adrenaline. Resting and recovery can also increase the cell generation in your tissue which still helps you burn calories. Set an active meal strategy every once in a while before your training ends.

A person’s eyesight has a lot of crucial contributions to everyday tasks. So, when individuals experience blurry vision that diabetes may complicate, immediate medical help is imminent. Susceptible patients should know that weightloss can protect your vision from diabetes. Blurry vision with diabetes is a dangerous combination. Thus, it must be a priority for people experiencing high blood sugar to consult a dietician or a nutritionist. Nevertheless, there are also many other causes of blurry vision. How do you combat diabetes and blurry vision altogether? Discovering the symptoms of both health issues can help you and your ophthalmologist do the precautionary treatments. 

Symptoms Of Vision Problems

Are you currently having migraines while reading or typing in front of your electronic devices? Some doctors of eye healthcare say that eye problems that stem from digital devices are called digital eye strain. Prolonged eye problems may also come from environmental issues, apart from current physical conditions. Check out which symptoms should notify your immediate action of going to an optometrist or ophthalmologist soon. 

• Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is among the first signs of eye problems that can disrupt vision functions. A person with a blurry vision can accompany other eye problems. It can also have varied reasons, such as diabetes, brain injury, or prescription medication side effects. According to scientific researchers for the eyes, diabetic retinopathy may happen when blurry vision during diabetes problems show. Laser eye surgery can help with these conditions.

• Nausea and Dizziness

Side effects, such as nausea and dizziness, can also be a symptom that usually goes together. If you are having eye problems that induce dizziness, you may even notice how your migraine often comes afterward. According to scientists, there are no main reasons that explain why these three eye problem signs intertwine. However, theories such as the issue of serotonin and the central nervous system may cause a headache with blurred vision. 

• Double Vision

Ghost images or diplopia is a symptom that shows an image becoming double. It is a vision problem that shows overlapping images that our brain can’t interpret. The causes are usually underlying medical conditions such as brain aneurysm, head injury, or tumor. Stroke may also have sudden complications related to blurred or double vision. Abuse of drinking alcohol can also trigger a blurred and double vision.

• Clouded Eyesight

Blurred vision can also show as clouded eyesight with floaters or small objects floating in the eyes. A clouded sight that causes vision loss is more of a sign that a person has cataracts. In this issue, patients may require to have a surgery from a licensed ophthalmologist to remove the clouded or blurred eye issue.

Reasons For Blurry Vision: Is Diabetes Connected?

How are blurry vision and diabetes related together? Many doctors of eye concerns together see that blurred eyes are an immediate result of having diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a severe eye condition that makes fragile eye vessels swell or leak. Diabetic retinopathy can either have two categories. One is due to high blood sugar in the bloodstream. This level causes blockage in the nerves on either the heart, eyes, or brain. Another category can be low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Having hypoglycemia results in fatigue, weakness, irritability, and becoming pale. Fluctuating levels of sugar can disrupt the blood flow of oxygen in the organs such as the eyes. 

What Are The Other Causes Blurred Vision?

Blurred vision doesn’t just happen overnight. More than diabetic retinopathy, there are many related health indications. A patient should be aware of what to do to avoid these reasons. More than the physical causes of blurred vision, age, stress, and habits can be a type of risk as well. Check out other causes that you may want to discuss with your dietician soon.

Age

Doctors recommend that older adults change their diet accordingly as the body slows down in functioning properly due to age concerns. Healthy exercise, therapy, and a diet plan can support older adults with blurred eye sights. 

Myopia and Hyperopia

Nearsightedness and farsightedness are two standard terms that you may hear from your optician for a consultation. These two eye health issues are both a type of refractive error from the cornea. Whenever your eyeball is short, and the focus is behind the retina, you may get farsightedness. On the other hand, myopia happens when your eyeball focuses on an object for too long, and distant objects become blurred. Additionally, myopia is most common in children. Pregnancy may be one of the reasons why your child has developed this eye loss condition. 

Misuse of Vison Aids (Contact Lens, Eyeglasses, etc.)

Do you follow your optician’s instruction to remove your contacts at night? If not, you may be in danger of having blurred vision. Complications in diabetes can also cause your blurred vision to have dangerous consequences as well. Don’t forget to visit your optometrist to check if you need to change your contact lens or eyeglasses at least every 6-8 months. Moreover, a person with diabetes should also know that some instruments may not apply to their astigmatism concerns. 

Inflammation Of Eyes

Eye arthritis or inflammation of the eyes may have many levels of irritation and even pain. Eye inflammation is a severe disease that needs a thorough checkup and consultation from an eye surgeon or doctor. Light sensitivity is one of the immediate warning signs of eye arthritis. Most doctors see that lack of collagen in the cornea is the main reason why eyes become inflamed.  

Dry Eyes

Having dry eyes can also be a simple yet unnoticeable cause of blurred vision. Inflammation and dry eyes are also connected. You may avoid having dry eyes by looking for eye medication droplets from a local pharmacy or drug store. However, any over-the-counter eye treatment should be advised by your trusted ophthalmologist. 

How Do I Decrease My Chances Of Having Diabetes?

Treatment for diabetes is costly and can even have risks during any operation. Hence, it may be best for people to avoid having the chance of diabetes in their system. What are some of the methods that you can do to prevent diabetes? Here are some suggestions that we have. Yet, you may need a professional such as a doctor for the eyes and your digestive health.  

Follow A Diet Plan Or Program

Considering what you eat when you are hungry can decrease the chances of being overweight. Obesity is a primary risk factor for diabetes and needs moderation. A nutritionist can manage what you eat to reduce your blood from becoming prone to diabetic concerns. 

Decrease Your Glucose Or Sugar Intake

If you are not diagnosed with any diabetes but are into sweets and carbohydrates, you might want to take a step back in your food consumption. Children that are also into too many sweets at an early age may have repercussions once they become adults. Most of the time, diabetes issues don’t show up until the age of 50 and above. 

Avoid Unhealthy Habits (Smoking And Alcohol)

As with any other unhealthy habits, it is a considerable concern that your diagnosis of having diabetes is linked with alcohol and smoking. To lessen your blood from having blockages, prevent carcinogenic cells by drinking less alcohol. Smoking, which contains many chemical substances, also attack healthy cells that rob oxygen in the blood. It may be hard to withdraw from this activity. Yet, the long term benefits of going for a healthier lifestyle will motivate you to quit these habits.