Everybody eats, it’s essential for life! We start and end our days with meals. Mealtimes bring people together during big life events. Whether you prefer vegetables, meats, fish, or a little bit of everything, people usually spend a few hours per day eating.
What is typical?
Your personality, body, and surroundings decide your usual eating habits. These habits usually stay with you from childhood to adulthood.
- Some people eat three meals a day, others two or five.
- Lots of people love snacks between meals (and that’s okay!).
- Your body needs energy, and food is your fuel.
Some of us are picky eaters.. Even if it is frustrating, this can be enough to stay healthy.
Important things to remember:
- Eating means consuming enough food for energy.
- Eating should be balanced and include different food groups.
Sometimes when you’re really hungry, you might eat too much, too fast, and get an upset stomach. Sometimes when you do not feel well, you might not want to eat. Both are okay.
When should I be concerned?
When you regularly eat too much or too little, pay attention to your eating patterns.
Signs of eating problems:
- Restrictive eating or dieting leading to weight loss (without professional help).
- Regularly overeating, followed by discomfort.
- Spending long periods without eating.
- Feeling the urge to vomit after eating, or making yourself vomit.
- Hiding food.
- Feeling guilty after eating.
- Constipation without a physical cause.
- Irregular periods (for girls) without a physical cause.
- Using medication (like laxatives) without a doctor’s prescription.
- Exercising excessively, especially after overeating.
Other signs:
- Eating less to avoid gaining weight
- Skipping meals to lose weight
- Worrying a lot about gaining weight
- Thinking a lot about food, calories, or weight
- Checking your body shape or weight often
- Thinking you weigh more than others think
- Feeling unhappy about your body shape
- Eating large amounts of food in a short time
- Finding it hard to stop eating
- Eating until you feel too full
- Eating alone because you’re afraid of what others think
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about eating too much
- Exercising too much to lose weight
- Taking pills or medicines to control your weight
- Making yourself throw up to avoid gaining weight
- Eating only certain foods to control weight or shape
- Not eating many types of food because of how they feel, smell, or look
- Only eating a few bites, even of foods you like
- Not eating because you’re scared of getting hurt (like stomach pain or throwing up)
- Continuing to diet even though it makes you sick
What can I do if I struggle?
It can be hard to deal with eating problems. Here are a few things you can try:
- Ask for help: Talk to a parent, family member, or another trusted adult.
- Deal with guilt and shame: Remember, eating is essential. You’re not doing anything wrong by eating what your body needs.
- Food is energy: Your body turns food into energy, not just fat.
- Mealtimes with loved ones: Keep a meal routine and focus on connecting with people you care about. Avoid distractions like phones.
- Healthy food at home: Ask your family to keep healthy snacks and meal options available.
What kind of professional support can I seek out?
It’s okay to feel embarrassed if you’re struggling with eating. Support is available.
Doctors, like a family doctor or nurses, can help if you are concerned about your eating. They can refer you to other specialists, including mental health professionals, which can also be helpful.
Where to find more information
If you need additional help or information, talk to a trusted adult (like a caregiver, teacher or mentor), a counsellor, or a health professional. Reach out, stay connected, and ask for help. Remember that effective treatments for all mental health problems are available and you may need to talk to a number of different people before you get the help that you need.