Chewing And Spitting - Odd Eating Disorder Behaviors
Why Do Anorexics Chew And Spit?

Chewing and spitting is an abnormal eating behavior that may be diagnosed under the category of EDNOS - (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). As unpleasant as it is to talk about, these eating disorder behaviors may lead to - or be a sign of - a serious eating disorder.

Although chewing and spitting, as well as EDNOS, are not classified as formal eating disorders in the same sense as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (at least not yet), they still have serious health consequences and can be very dangerous.

I think the terminology is pretty self explanatory and really needs no further definition. Those who engage in this behavior, as with many other eating disorders, often do not see it as a problem.

However, studies have shown that people who chew and spit are at risk for developing anorexia or bulimia. From a disordered eating perpective or not, it's easy to see the connections. This is alarming behavior.

Were you once chewing and spitting, but were able to recover? How did you do it? Are you currently participating in this disordered eating behavior?

Sharing your story may help someone else who's struggling, so please don't be shy. Go directly to the submission form now!

Chewing And Sptting - Dangers Of Anorexia

One of the reasons for chewing and spitting may be to prevent weight gain and avoid unwanted calories.

The disordered eater may or may not actually enjoy the taste of the food, but the bottom line is that it is thought of as the enemy - something bad - and is rarely ever fully consumed.

These are precisely some of the issues that anorexics deal with on a daily basis. As with anorexia, it is really not about the food per se, but the actions are a release for some sort of underlying emotional stress.

The irony is that these actions often trigger additional emotional issues, such as the intense feeling of guilt because of the food that has gone to waste.

Chewing your food without swallowing it is also a form of food restriction - well, food deprivation really. Your body is deprived of the required nutrients that it needs to function properly. This is yet another similarity to anorexia.

I'm not sure how many people have considered the fact that spitting out your food is also a form of purging.

Bulimia Signs In Chewing And Spitting

Purging simply means 'to remove, get rid of, or cleanse'. I know a lot of people who used to think that purging, where eating disorders were concerned, meant vomiting and nothing else.

Actually, purging can take on several different forms - such laxative abuse, or in this case - spitting.

People may develop chew and spit behaviors because it avoids the stress and ugliness of self-induced vomiting like you have with bulimia, or the sub-type of anorexia.

As far as what kinds of food may be chewed and spat out, there is some evidence of a correlation between the amount of food one might consume during a binge eating session, or the type of food that bulimics crave.

As with any other eating disorder, the presentation of this abnormal eating behavior can vary greatly between individuals, so it's virtually impossible to say for sure how much food is being used, but not swallowed.

The frequency with which someone might chew and spit can vary as well. It usually starts as something 'harmless' but then catapults into a major habit, or possibly even an addiction.

See An Eating Disorder Specialist About Chewing And Spitting

Chewing and spitting is best treated by an eating disorder specialist. In addition to the lack of nutrient absorption by the body, those who are chewing and spitting may also experience ulcers because food in the mouth releases stomach acids in preparation for digestion. Without food, these acids simply sit there and more or less rot the stomach.

Furthermore, if sugary foods are chewed and not swallowed, it can result in dental damage and cavities. This is because the amount of sugar remaining in the mouth, and on the teeth after you spit is larger than if you went through the natural process of eating.

There's room for the consumption of all kinds of different foods - in moderation. Depriving yourself completely, or only allowing yourself to eat limited types of food is a recipe for disaster.

Although the subject matter is sensitive and intensely personal, it is nevertheless a very serious issue and I would love it if you could share your own personal story.

Are You Recovered From Chewing And Spitting?

Were you once engaged in the disordered eating behaviors of chewing and spitting? How did you get over it?

Are you currently a chewer and spitter? Do you know what motivates you to do this?

Please share your thoughts and struggles with us. Doing so may help another person who's struggling, so please don't be shy!

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