Plant-Based Diets and Eating Disorders: How are They Connected?

Fad diets are something we see everywhere. Every few years, a new food group becomes the enemy of society. However, recently something we support as health professionals has been taken by society and turned into a fad diet. Plant-based diets, like veganism, complete elimination of all animal products and vegetarianism, elimination of meat, but not all animal products, are taking their turn as the ultimate diet choice. This is something that could be celebrated by health professionals, given the numerous health benefits, but the lack of understanding about how to make these diets well balanced and safe is not there. Furthermore, this is a diet that should not be used in order to restrict or lose weight.

Do not get me wrong, eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds is something that should be encouraged. Plant foods help your immune system fight diseases, give you fiber for gut health, and are full of vitamins and minerals.1 There are also non-weight related reasons to eat mainly plants because of environmental concerns and animal protection. Where eating mostly plants becomes unhealthy is when it negatively affects your mental health, causing you to use these diet patterns as an excuse to restrict, avoid fear foods, or to lose weight.

In 2012 the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill explored the relationship between vegetarianism and eating disorders among females ages 16-40 years.2 They interviewed females both with and without history of eating disorders. The study found that 52% of the women with eating disorders were more likely to be vegetarian, and 42% of the women were motivated by weight changes.2 68% of women “perceived that their vegetarianism was related to their eating disorder.”2 This research revealed the significance of meat restriction for individuals with eating disorders.

Benefits of Animal Products

Though it is true that eating mostly plants and vegetables is the gold standard of physical health, meat and animal products have their place in our diets as well. Meat is one of the most dense protein sources. A serving of meat can have 25-30% protein that helps build up muscles, structures in our body, and keep us satisfied.3 It also is a good source of niacin, selenium, and B12, which we cannot get adequate amounts of without meat or animal products.3 Furthermore, iron deficiency anemia is a well-known side effect of eating disorders, especially Anorexia Nervosa. Consuming darker meats can help with iron absorption and improve the extreme fatigue and overall weakness from iron deficiency.

What is Your Motivation?

What if the reason for eating a plant-based diet does not have anything to do with restriction or weight loss? What if there is a legitimate ethical dilemma with consumption of animal products? It is important to reflect on the true motivation of the diet pattern. Some questions to ask when discovering the motivation for a plant-based diet include:

Was the avoidance of meat or animal products present before the disordered eating patterns?

Do you see meat or animal products as “bad” or “forbidden” foods?

Does the avoidance of meat or animal products come from your true voice or your eating disorder voice?

What is your overall motivation for eating a plant-based diet?

Overall, the most important thing we can do for ourselves is eat a diet full of variety with adequate calories to keep us properly satisfied and fully functioning. This is more important than following any fad diet or cutting out any foods we perceive as “bad” for us.

References

1. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Alexander H. 5 Benefits of a Plant-based Diet. MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/5-benefits-of-a-plant-based- diet.h20-1592991.html. Published November 4, 2020. Accessed October 11, 2021.

2. Bardone-Cone AM, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE, Harney MB, et al. The Inter-Relationships Between Vegetarianism and Eating Disorders Among Females. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2012;112(8):1247-1252. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2012.05.007

3. Spritzler F. Meat: Good or Bad? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/meat-good-or-bad. Published September 25, 2019. Accessed October 11, 2021.

Plant-Based Diets and Eating Disorders

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Lauren Sterritt