Vegetarians, Vegan Diets, and Bulimia

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

There is often controversy surrounding veganism/vegetarian diets and eating disorders, and while there is not one clear answer to the question of whether these diets are appropriate for individuals recovering from an eating disorder, there are many important factors to consider.

Many individuals who struggle with bulimia may have severe physical complications resulting from this eating disorder, including metabolic abnormalities, cardiovascular complications, gastrointestinal distress, and much more.

Some people dealing with bulimia may be underweight, others within a normal weight range or overweight. Regardless of weight, a person with bulimia is likely malnourished and depleted of essential nutrients that are necessary for maintaining health and wellness.

Limiting Certain Foods Can Complicate Recovery From Bulimia

Restoring health with adequate nutrition is crucial during recovery from bulimia, and for this reason, diets that are more restrictive tend to not provide the optimal nutrition needed for recovery from an eating disorder. In addition to the physical need and demand for increased nutrients in recovery from bulimia, there is also a psychological component that comes with following a restrictive type of diet.

For a person who is recovering from bulimia, having unconditional permission to eat a wide variety of foods is essential for making peace with and legalizing all foods. When certain foods or foods groups are off limits, this can create further challenges for the individual who is recovering from bulimia.

Recovering from Bulimia Is Best Supported By Optimal Nutrition

Making the decision to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet while in recovery from bulimia is ultimately a personal choice, however, it is one that should be considered and discussed with a professional treatment team. If you have made the choice to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet while in recovery from bulimia, it is also important to understand your reasoning and motive for making this decision.

Recovering from bulimia is best supported by optimal nutrition through a variety of food sources. If following a vegetarian or vegan diet is important to you while in recovery from bulimia, be sure to talk with your treatment team about the pros and cons associated with this choice in order to make the most informed decision possible.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

Have you been in recovery from an eating disorder while following a vegetarian or vegan diet? If so, what were the pros and cons of this decision in your recovery?

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Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 24, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com