Dear Dr. Maria,

I have been trying to recover from an eating disorder, but I keep getting triggered by negative body image. What should I do?

- Ellen

Dear Ellen,

Hi! People with eating disorders are definitely in a bind, because they want to be led to good eating by a good body image. Unfortunately, eating regularly comes first, and then body image comes second. It would be easier if good body image could lead you to recovery, but when you eat restrictively or erratically, your body is bloated, shut down and unstable. Your weight can fluctuate with high and low swings, and your body does not process food easily. This state LEADS to negative body image. When you are constipated, gaseous, and eat irregularly, of course you aren’t going to have a good body image day.

So, think of it this way: if you can tolerate not having the best body image, and still eat regularly and nutritiously, over time you will have a body that can process food quickly and a stable body. This is actually one factor that can lead you to good body image.

Wishing you Peace and Love,

Dr. Maria