A Vegetarian Diet and Binge Eating Disorder

I have binge eating disorder and as of May 2015, began a vegetarian diet. After being pescatarian for six months, I decided to make the transition to a vegetarian diet, and I have been very happy with my decision. When I decided to do this, I wondered how it would impact my binge eating disorder. A vegetarian diet seems to be an improvement for me.

Wait, So What Is A Vegetarian Diet?

When I first started the vegetarian diet, some people were confused over what exactly it was that I was doing. My mother, for example, thought a vegetarian diet meant that I would only eat vegetables and was concerned what I wouldn't get any fat in my diet at all. Here's a quick rundown of some diet types.

• Pescatarian: A person who eats fish, but no other meats.
• Vegetarian: A person who does not eat meat, but will consume animal products.
• Vegan: A person who does not eat any kind of animal products.

How A Vegetarian Diet Impacted My Binge Eating Disorder

Before I began a vegetarian diet, all of my regular binge eating and compulsive hunger foods involved meat. In fact, most of my diet was composed of meat. Eliminating meat from my diet has made me think more about my eating and my food choices. I also noticed that I've lost some weight in the months since I changed my eating habits and I'm now wearing a size 12 instead of a 14.

I'm not going to pretend that becoming a vegetarian has stopped me from binging, because it absolutely hasn't. Especially in times of anxiety when it seems like everything is going wrong, I still struggle (What To Do When Everything Sucks). However, while I occasionally binge or overeat, what I'm eating now is usually lower in calories and has less fat.

The Future For This Vegetarian With Binge Eating Disorder

I've been a vegetarian now for almost six months and I'm very satisfied with my decision. I sometimes think about transitioning to vegan, but I know I'm not ready now. In a big world with lots of options, I'm glad I found one that worked for me. I feel really comfortable with my diet, although there are some mild inconveniences of no longer eating meat in a society that does. But overall, I'm happier and definitely not going back.

There is no magic cure for binge eating disorder, but this has helped me control the content of my diet and made me feel healthier. A doctor recently asked me about my eating habits and my relationship with food. I thought for a second and then said, "I'm a vegetarian with an eight ounce stomach and binge eating disorder." What can I say? Life is complicated.

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