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Know all about ‘Eating Disorders’

eating problms

DO YOU look in the mirror and pick yourself apart? Do you constantly worry about what and how you look?

Ask yourself, “What percentage of your time in a day you are preoccupied with thoughts regarding food, weight, and body image?”

If your answer is that you spend so much time with these concerns that it interferes with your happiness and daily functioning, then let me tell you that you may be having an Eating Disorder.!

What Is an Eating Disorder?

Eating Disorders are illnesses that cause serious disturbances in a person’s everyday diet. They are characterized by irregular eating habits which include inadequate or excessive food intake which can damage individual’s well-being.

In addition to abnormal eating patterns, there are severe distress or concern about body weight and shape. An Eating Disorder also includes your beliefs about food and how they impact your body.

Who Suffers From Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders can develop during any stage in life but typically it appears during teen years or young adulthood but, may also develop in childhood. It can affect both men and women, however, it’s more common in women.

Eating disorder when manifested at a young age can cause severe impairment in growth development, and overall mental and social well- being.

Let’s move on to knowing three most common types of Eating Disorders

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

The Term Anorexia Nervosa literally means “Lack of Appetite induced by Nervousness”

This is perhaps the best- known eating disorder. It causes its sufferers to excessively fear to be overweight and restrict their eating habits in an unhealthy, dangerous way which leads to a significantly low body weight.

Male and female suffering from Anorexia show following hallmarks

  • Extremely limited food intake
  • Obsessive intense fear of weight gain
  • Problems with body image (Unrealistic perception of the body) and a low self-esteem
  • Denial of low body weight

Overtime, the following symptoms may develop as the body goes into starvation

Physical symptoms

  • Menstrual cessation
  • Osteopenia or osteoporosis(Thinning of bones)
  • Anaemia
  • Fatigue
  • Brittle nail and hair
  • Skin dries and can take on a yellowish cast
  • Severe constipation, Low BP

Emotional and behavioural symptoms

  • Excessive/Compulsive exercising
  • Frequently skipping a meal or refusing to eat
  • Denial of hunger
  • Frequent checking in the mirror for ‘perceived’ flaws
  • Flat mood(Lack of emotion)
  • Low self-esteem
  • Irritability
  • Low sex drive

BULIMIA NERVOSA

The Greek word for Bulimia is BOULIMIA which means extreme hunger. Patients with bulimia nervosa eat frequently in a discrete period of time (example within any 2 hour period) they also have a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.

They often consume thousands of calories that are high in sugars, carbohydrates and fats. They can eat rapidly, sometimes gulping food without even tasting it.

After a binge, they PURGE their bodies of food and calories they FEAR by using laxatives, enemas, diuretics, vomiting or by excessive exercise. People with Bulimia can be underweight, overweight or even obese.

Many people don’t know when a family member or friend has Bulimia nervosa because they almost always hide their binges but Bulimia nervosa does have symptoms that should raise red flags:-

Physical Symptoms

  • Chronically inflamed or a sore throat
  • Salivary glands in the neck and below jaw bone swollen; cheeks and face often become puffy
  • Tooth enamel wears off and begins to decay from exposure to stomach acids
  • Constant vomiting causes GERD (Gastro oesophagal reflux disease)
  • Laxative and Diuretic abuse cause kidney and intestinal problems
  • Frequent Severe dehydration from purging of fluids

Emotional and Behavioural symptoms

  • Negative/distorted self- image
  • Hoarding or hiding food
  • Social withdrawal
  • Extreme guilt and sadness
  • Excessive worry about body weight and shape

binge eating

BINGE EATING DISORDER

It is a form of compulsive OVEREATING. Sufferers feel a compulsion to eat large amounts of food and as though they cannot stop and UNLIKE PEOPLE WITH BULIMIA, THEY DO NOT TRY TO PURGE OR GET RID OF FOOD BY INDUCING VOMITING AND BY USING OTHER UNSAFE PRACTICES.

Symptoms are more or less similar to Bulimia nervosa except for purging and laxative abuse.

Binge eaters eat a large amount of food when not feeling physically hungry, binge eating episodes typically take place in private and can last for hours or a whole day. It is common for sufferers to feel distressed or guilty about their lack of control, it is this shame and guilt that can prevent a person from talking and seeking help.

CAUSES

Eating disorders are complex thus are influenced by a facet of factors. Though the exact cause is unknown, it is generally believed that a combination of biological, psychological, and/or environmental abnormalities contribute to the development.

Certain psychological, biological/genetic, and personality traits may predispose people to develop eating disorders.

However specific traits are linked to each of the disorders. People with Anorexia tend to be perfectionists and with bulimia and binge eating disorder impulsive nature is common. Hormonal irregularities and nutritional deficiencies can be among causes. As discussed earlier in this blog, negative body image, dissatisfaction with one’s body and low self-esteem can help build tendency towards abnormal eating patterns.

Among Socio-cultural factors, the media has the largest influence on people especially teens and young adults. The media pushes body image, clothes, fast food and weight loss with unrealistic results, the combination of all these lead teens and young adults down the road to eating disorders and a confusing self- image.

And on another side of continuum popular social media pages and videos with a variety of recipes and restaurants tempt people to eat more and more.

Other causes include disruptive thinking patterns and an inability to understand the healthy relationship between food and hunger, family dysfunctions and major life stressors/changes, negative emotions or traumas such as rape, childhood sexual abuse or death of loved ones can also trigger eating disorders.

Even a happy event, such as giving birth can lead to an eating disorder because of the stressful impact of the event on an individual’s new role and body image.

IMPORTANCE OF TREATMENT

Eating disorder untreated can have serious consequences like Malnutrition, stunted growth, osteoporosis, reduced metabolic rate, critically low blood pressure, serious heart, kidney and liver damages, obesity, diabetes (TYPE 1 AND 2), depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance abuse, cardiac arrests and even death!

Remember, the sooner the treatment starts, the better it is. The longer abnormal eating patterns continue the more deeply ingrained they become and more difficult to treat.

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT METHODS

  • PSYCHOTHERAPY
    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a therapy focussing on the beliefs, values, maladaptive cognitive processes and negative emotions which are associated with meaning of weight, shape and appearance, it aims at reducing destructive eating patterns and restoring a healthy relationship with food. Psychologists identify important issues associated with causes of destructive eating habits and develop CBT plan respectively.
    • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps to cope with painful emotions. The focus is on individuals who react to emotional circumstances with extreme behaviours. Weekly sessions help a person with Eating disorder practice mindful eating, distress tolerance and emotional regulation which focus on identifying barriers to changing emotions to constructive ones and to increase positive emotional events.
    • Incorporating Family, Group and Marital Therapy: This can be helpful in addressing the underlying causes of eating disorders and help prevent relapses by resolving interpersonal issues which are related to eating disorders.
  • Nutritional Counselling: This would involve a nutritionist’s guiding plan through weight restoration and stabilization, guidance for normal eating by keeping a food journal which includes type of food, amount, benefits, feelings thoughts associated with intake of food and drink, it also includes which binge foods are to be avoided. The inclusion of individualized meal plans for specific patients to improve nutritional intake is created.
  • Medication: Some patients with Bulimia Nervosa benefit from placebo or anti- depressants. But, medication should always be paired with psychotherapy and nutritional counselling.

A holistic approach involving all above methods/ways with an experienced team of caregivers and healthcare professionals can help patients suffering from eating disorder regain control of their eating behaviour and their lives!

Good Health is more than just being free from disease or injury. A healthy lifestyle helps you feel good, have a vibrant energy and maintain a positive outlook on life thereby contributing to your physical, mental, social well- being. Your mental health is as important as physical health and work hand-and-hand. Letting go of your eating disorder is one of many ways to move towards good health!

 

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7 Differences between Chia Seeds & Sabja Seeds

chia1

 CHIA Seeds on the left side and SABJA seeds on the right side

Chia seeds are tiny power-packed seeds that have been documented to be around since 3500 bc in the diets of Aztecs and Mayans. They had identified that these super seeds had the ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods of time.

What is the difference between chia seed and sabja seeds (basil seeds)?

Chia seed is a native of Mexico and it does not have an Indian name. However, it has time and again been confused with basil seeds which are also known as Sabja in Hindi. Be it in appearance, origin or health benefits; Chia seeds are different from Sabja in numerous ways. Both chia seeds and sabja seeds originate from the mint family and hence the resemblance.

So how do you differentiate one from the other? Below are a few simple ways that can help you do so:

  1. Native

Chia seeds are native to central and southern Mexico while Sabja seeds are native to India and the Mediterranean region.

      2. Colour

chia 2a chia2b

As can be seen in the above image, the left side is CHIA SEEDS. They are usually a mixture of grey, black, white and sometimes even brown seeds. However, even the black ones are not pitch black in colour. Instead, a dull pattern or a mosaic is visible on them. On the right side is SABJA SEEDS, uniformly jet Black in colour.

         3. Appearance

chia3

Chia seeds are oval in shape and Sabja seeds are elliptical, like tiny grains of rice.

4. On Soaking in Water

chia4

                                        Sabja Seeds in the water on the left, Chia seeds in water on the right

Chia seeds take time to absorb water. It has the unique ability to gel by absorbing over 10 times their weight. Sabja seeds swell up within seconds of being mixed with water. A translucent coat forms around the seed and it appears much larger in size when compared to a soaked chia seed.

         5. Taste of Soaked Seeds

chia5

                                         Sabja seeds in water on the top glass, Chia seeds in water on the bottom glass

Chia seeds do not have any taste of its own and can easily be incorporated in any kind of dish. Sabja seeds have a mild flavour of basil and impart the same to drinks and desserts.

                6.Usage

Chia seeds can be consumed raw or soaked. Sabja seeds can be consumed only after soaking.

               7. Health Benefits

Both, Chia and Sabja seeds have their own set of health benefits. They have been known to aid in weight loss due to their ability to make you feel fuller faster. Here are the most beneficial properties of the seeds.

Chia seeds

  1. Good source of proteins and Omega 3s
  2. The naturally low-carb and high-fibre food helps in digestion
  3. Highly recommended for weight-loss
  4. Promotes energy and endurance
  5. Helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels

Sabja Seeds

  • One of the best body coolant
  • Has a soothing effect on the stomach and hence useful to combat acidity
  • Good source of vitamins and Iron
  • Helps to promote healthy skin and hair
  • Acts as a detoxifying agent and helps to cleanse the blood

 

FACTOR CHIA SEEDS SABJA SEEDS
Native to Central and southern Mexico Native to India and the Mediterranean region
Colour Usually a mixture of grey, black, white and sometimes even brown seeds. However, even the black ones are not pitch black in colour. Instead, a dull pattern or a mosaic is visible on them Uniformly jet Black or pitch black in colour
Appearance Oval in shape Elliptical, like tiny grains of rice
On soaking in water Chia takes time to absorb water. It has the unique ability to gel by absorbing over 10 times their weight. Sabja swell up within seconds of being mixed with water. A translucent coat forms around the seed and it appears much larger in size when compared to a soaked chia seed
Taste of soaked seeds Does not have any taste of its own and can easily be incorporated in any kind of dish.  Has a mild flavour of basil and imparts the same to drinks and desserts
Usage/Health Benefits Can be consumed raw or soaked.

Good source of proteins and Omega 3s

 Can be consumed only after soaking.

Has a soothing effect on the stomach and hence useful to combat acidity.

 

*Chia Seeds from Naturally Yours is now available on GOQii Store. 

 

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‘Spices that help in losing weight’

India is popular for its spicy food. The sheer number of whole and ground spices used in Indian foods is sometimes intimidating. Each dish has its own combination of spices and its own unique flavour. The spices not just add flavour to your food but they also have many health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, most spices are good for your health. Some of the spices also improve your metabolic rate and help in losing weight. Here is a list of Indian spices that help your body to burn more fat. So, spice up your dishes!

Cinnamon

cinnamon

According to a recent study, cinnamon may boost your metabolism. This sweet, fragrant spice also regulates your blood pressure. It lowers level of total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. Cinnamon increases the metabolism of glucose by around 20 times. This spice will help you lose weight faster.

How to Use?

You can prepare cinnamon, honey and lemon drink- boil a pinch of cinnamon in a cup of water. Sieve and add a tablespoon of honey and squeeze some lemon into it.

Turmeric

Turmeric

The pungent, yellow spice is known for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-fungal properties. It also helps you lose excess weight. The spice ups your body heat and this can result in improved metabolism.

HOW TO USE?

Use it in your curries, chicken and in milk to gain the health benefits of turmeric.

Ginger

ginger

The spicy ginger regulates your blood sugar levels and helps prevent an increase in the level of glucose. Like turmeric, ginger has thermogenic or fat-burning properties. You can add it to your stir-fried vegetables or tea or chicken. It improves the taste and helps you in weight loss.

HOW TO USE?

Prepare a Jeera (Cumin) Ginger drink.

Boil a tsp of Jeera and some crushed ginger in a glass of water. Boil till it starts reducing, sieve it and Drink after 30mins of lunch and dinner to ease digestion.

Black Pepper

black-pepper

Black pepper has a pungent flavour, thanks to the presence of the substance known as piperine and this substance also prevent new fat cell formation. The bioavailability of other foods is also increased by black pepper. It makes the food not only tasty but also healthy. If u eat fresh pepper and begin to perspire, that’s the pepper helping your body to get rid of excess water and toxins. But, you need to control consumption, a pinch with your food (one meal) is enough.

HOW TO USE?

Black Pepper Tea.

Easy to prepare and the best way to consume black pepper for weight loss. You can use ginger, lemon, honey, tulsi (basil leaves), cinnamon, or green tea bags to prepare the tea.

Use 1/2-1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and drink it before breakfast.

Regular consumption will not only help you in losing weight but also improve your skin and prevent gut problems.

CAUTION

Do not consume too much as it may cause gastrointestinal problems, burning sensation in eyes, stomach irritation. If you feel uneasy, stop the use of black pepper immediately.

Garlic

garlic

Adding garlic to your diet will help you burn the increased amount of fat and lose weight faster. Try to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder or granules.

Here’s how it works…

  1. Garlic stimulates the satiety hormone which reduces binge eating, sugar cravings, junk food, and oily stuff.
  2. It releases the norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter which boosts metabolism.
  3. The allicin present in it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin levels.
  4. Garlic inhibits the process breaking down stored fats.
  5. It is a powerful detoxifier and effective diuretic.
  6. It contains trace minerals (sulphur, selenium, and magnesium, zinc, copper and iron), amino acids and vitamins A, C, and E.
  7. It helps to dissolve blood clots that lead to Heart stroke.
  8. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
  9. It helps to remove excess mucus from the body.

HOW TO USE?

  • Squeeze juice of 1 lemon in a cup of water.
  • Chew 3 garlic cloves followed by the lemon water.
  • Or add crush the garlic cloves, stir in the lemon water and drink.
  • Repeat the process every morning.

These spices will help you to shed those extra kilos but you also need to change your lifestyle to a healthier one and should have a healthy diet.

TRY THEM OUT!!!

 

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Why is KEEPING the weight off more challenging than LOSING weight? (And What Can You Do To Keep the Weight YOU Have Lost Off For Good?)

not-losing-weight

When it comes to weight loss…the process is fairly simple. You need to eat less and move more. (Notice that I didn’t say doing so would be easy only that it was simple.) Countless studies have been done to promote this diet or that one. Eat Mediterranean. No! Paleo. No! Atkins. Wait…no! Vegan….

At the end of the day, however, regardless of which nutrition plan or strategy is employed, what all the results of any given diet indicate is this: as long as the person in question eats less overall in terms of their calorie intake AND exercises more, they will lose weight. That is true regardless of the diet/nutrition plan one chooses. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0804748

So what is the problem? That seems simple enough!

Well…The really challenging part isn’t actually taking the weight off. It’s KEEPING it off. In fact, many researchers insist that of those who lose weight, upwards of 95 percent of them gain the weight back plus extra. The most recently highlighted example of this was illustrated in May, 2016 when a number of contestants on The Biggest Loser were interviewed several years after their time on the show. All but one had gained a significant amount of their lost weight back. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weight-loss.html

If the pharmaceutical industry developed a drug that was 5% effective…they wouldn’t be able to get it in the market. So why should we bother to try and lose weight when doing so has a 95% failure rate? And if my heart is set on losing weight and keeping it off…Does this mean there is no hope?

The answers are nuanced and complex.

First off – there absolutely IS hope. If you want to lose weight (be it because you want to have less pressure on your knees so that you can exercise longer, or because you want to feel more at-home in your own body, or because you recognize that doing so would likely help you achieve a more balanced blood sugar level) you can lose it AND keep it off.

First – It’s important to know what you’re up against.

  1. When a person loses weight (and by that, I mean more than 5 – 10% of their initial weight) two things happen:
    1. That individual’s metabolism slows down. It becomes less efficient at burning calories.
    2. The produces more ghrelin (a hormone associated with hunger).
    3. The combined effect of this is that the person in question needs to eat less even though they are, on average, hungrier. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html?_r=0
  2. Once you lose weight, you will need to eat less than someone who is EXACTLY the same size but who never gained weight in the first place. That means if you are 150 pounds (after having lost 50 of those pounds) and your friend is 150 pounds (but she was pretty much always at that weight) YOU will have to eat up to 20 -30% less calories than your friend just to sustain that weight than she will.

Second – you need to know what YOU can do.

  1. According to the National Weight Loss Control Registry (http://www.nwcr.ws/Research/default.htm) , those who have successfully lost weight AND have kept it off long-term (more than 5 years) did the following:
    1. 78 Percent of them eat breakfast EVERY DAY
    2. 75 percent of them weight themselves at least once per week
    3. 62 percent of them watch less than 10 of television per week
    4. 90 percent of them exercise at least 60 minutes every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY
    5. In other words (and forgive me if this is sounding trite) But ….YOU NEED TO MAKE A LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
  2. But here is the thing…making a lifestyle change requires more than will power. Will power is a part of the equation…sure. But we live in a world that is CONSTANTLY telling us to eat. Every day we are inundated with ads, messages, and temptations. There is a Starbucks at every corner. Not a Whole Foods store. Thus, in order to make these changes, you will need a set of skills. A good way to think about this is that it’s not about “will power” it’s about “skill power.” And just what kind of skills should you adopt? According to Sherri Pruitt and Joshua Kaplow in their book “Living Smart” – you can sustain your success if you:
    1. S – Set a specific Goal. It should be specific, measureable, actionable and observable. For example, don’t say “I will plan on losing a pound per week.” I can’t observe you lose weight. Instead, say “I will make a plan to exercise 20 minutes for three days out of the week this week. It’s specific, I can measure the time you’re taking, it’s an action you can directly apply, and I can observe you do it.
    2. M- Monitor your progress. If you want to lose weight, you’re going to have to keep track of how you’re doing. Weight yourself every day, and take an average at the end of the week. Think this will make you feel too neurotic about your weight? Nope. The more often you weigh yourself, the more likely you are to treat it just as “data.” http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2016/01/03/weight-loss-scales-daily/77584478/
    3. A – Arrange your environment for success. If you want to exercise every day, that’s going to be hard if your shoes are buried in the back of your closet in some as-of-yet-undetermined location. Get your workout clothes out and ready to go.
    4. R – Recruit support. If your friends gain weight, you are 57% more likely to gain weight as well. If your friends lose weight? Same thing. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12237644 This is because our relationships have a powerful influence on us. You may be able to make drastic changes in your life…but you can’t sustain those changes unless you have support.
    5. T – Treat yourself (but not with food). In Charles Duhigg’s book “the Power of Habit” was able to illustrate beautifully is that habits are much easier to form when you have a reward system. So if you set a goal to exercise every day for 20 minutes…how can you reward yourself afterward? A pat on the back? Some time on an app you love? A call with a friend? A sticker on your calendar? Whatever the case, you want to have something built in that makes you feel like your actions reap a benefit.

Conclusion: Losing weight is hard. KEEPING it off is even harder. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it is NOT impossible. Many people are successful in keeping the weight off. It’s just important to know what is required, and to have compassion for yourself when you start to feel overwhelmed. In order to stay healthy it’s MUCH more important to be “fit” (have energy, have a habit of exercise, eat fruits and vegetables)…than it is to be “thin.” And it’s entirely possible to be healthy at just about any size. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128267723. Even so, if you’re determined to lose weight, just remember… yes it’s hard work, but it can be done. You just should never have to do it alone!

(Want someone to help hold you accountable to your weight loss goals? Chat with a GOQii Coach!)

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