General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Spectrum of eating disorders and society (Warning a couple possibly graphic photos) [View all]abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)She was always obsessed with fitting into her mother's size four jeans. She grew up with a perfectionist in a home littered with fashion magazines. She would literally survive on condiments for days then make a big show of eating something like pizza only to relieve herself of it later. She disappeared from college in her second year to get help. It was so sad because she was so very beautiful. She just suffered from this insanely low self esteem brought on from never feeling like she lived up to her parents expectations. I always wonder what happened to her. Hope she's OK now.
People are judgmental. Especially about food. Even when not dealing with an eating disorder. I had to request a different seating arrangement a few years ago because my cubie was always commenting on my lunch. He could not go one day without telling me how what I brought was too fatty, too creamy, or just somehow offensive to him. (I always bring yogurt and fruit for lunch) So I moved and now I'm sitting with a woman who also constantly comments on what others are eating. She's very health conscious and a vegan. I made a batch of cookies for a bakesale at work once with coconut oil and she lectured me forever about how fatty coconut oil is and how I'm an awful mother for using that in any food I'd make for my kids or to sell at a fundraiser.
My son is super skinny. He really only wants to eat black beans, rice and fruit. Sometimes a little chicken and waffles. He hates pizza, bread, candy, cake. So each week we have what we call Food Adventure Day where we try something new we've never had before. He's good about it, but he still just eats a few things. My cubie has waxed on forever about how I should force him to eat. I can't see that that would be sensible.
So I guess, after a bit of thought, you are completely correct that people are crazy judgmental about food. It must be a hundred times worse for those with eating disorders. I think this is why so many on the right worry about a single payer system thinking that other's will suddenly take more issue with what they eat not realizing that other's (businesses, insurance companies, schools, neighbors) already do. And really it is none of their business.