Spit Out Food Diet

[lorraineb]

I have a friend that is doing a "spit it out" diet. I know, it sounds pretty disgusting, but she insists that it is the only thing she has found that works for her. I had some concerns when i first heard about it and tried to do some research online, but there isn't a lot of information out there on this they way she is using it.

From the research I have been able to find chewing and spitting out food is considered an eating disorder, but this seems to be for people that do it all the time keeping them from getting balanced nutrition. That isn't the way that my friend is doing it. She is eating a balanced diet and taking in enough calories, plus daily exercise -- she only does this when she has cravings for sweets at night and she is alone (which she says is always the downfall of all the hard work she has put in to get to her desired weight). I don't thinks she has an aversions to eating sweets since we had dessert together when she confided this to me (and didn't spit anything out)

I'm not sure if I should be worried or not. While it seems pretty gross to me, it seems to be working for her and in its current form, I'm not sure it is really doing any harm. I guess my concern is that this will manifest itself into something more sinister over time. Thoughts and opinions?

[GrimJack]

Depending on what is in her stomach, this could be a bad idea - chewing triggers saliva production and hormones in the saliva start certain processes including the production of acids in the stomach. Since there is nothing (or something already being worked on) for the excess acid to do but get churned around - if she ingests anything that passes through the stomach wall (like aspirin or alcohol) this give the acid a path past the protective lining; possibly leading to a location for Helicobacter pylori to start working on an ulcer.

<disclaimer>I am not a doctor nor do I play one on tv; the processes started by chewing portrayed here are extremely simplified.

[MonkeyMama]

I would be concerned.

Having a relative with a severe eating disorder, it honestly sounds somewhat logical and far less crazy to just chew and spit. But, I have the feeling it is probably naive to think that. (I suppose in my mind I am comparing something like marijuana to heroin).

& this is the rub: If done in extreme moderation is probably no biggie. But it's hard to believe this would be done in extreme moderation. Because if that was possible, you'd just eat the food and realize it's not the end of the world to weigh a couple of more pounds or to enjoy sweets once in a while.

Though maybe not as severe as binging and purging, it brings up a lot of similar issues. Some of the non-medical side of things are that it is wasteful, expensive, and it is difficult to dispose of the waste. GrimJack points up medical concerns.

In the grand scheme of things, sounds like a "Gateway Eating Disorder."

The only real advice I can give you is that people with eating disorders can not be helped unless they want to be helped. Lord knows we have tried. So I am sad to say though I would be worried, I really would have absolutely no idea how to help your friend.

[MonkeyMama]

This is rather eye opening:

http://www.examiner.com/article/chewing-and-spitting-an-eating-disorder-of-its-own-1

It's amazing how destructive this can be on the body. I would definitely share this article with your friend. She may be in denial, but she may also honestly just have no clue how harmful this can be.

[Blessed]

I have a friend that does it but only for her business. She is diabetes type 2 and a professional baker. She will take a bite of any new recipes etc to make sure they are ok and then spit it out and rinse her mouth. It makes sense in her situation but I can't imagine it as a diet strategy.

[bjl584]

I'd be concerned. This isn't a diet. It's an eating disorder and can lead to some serious health problems.

The article that MonkeyMama posted is very eye opening.

[TheKayla]

It's at least something that could surely lead to an eating disorder, even if your friend is currently eating healthy.

- If shes having trouble with certain cravings, it may be habitual (always eating sweets after a meal) and something she needs to break
- Inadequate protein (which can lead to craving sweets, get more fruit and protein from plant-based sources like grains/vegetables to get a variety of amino acids)
- Eating too many carbs, common in the standard American diet
- Or addictions to certain foods/products, like artificial sweeteners (diet soda/drinks), dairy, or processed foods with processed versions of salt/sugar

She needs to figure out the root of the problem instead of dealing with it this way, or perhaps her cravings are in line and working as they should, and are simply telling her to eat when she's hungry. Help her to check the balance of her diet at a more physical level, and if everything seems in place, then perhaps there's something deeper emotionally/mentally going on.

[BunionDR]

Appalling

In a world where so many people are impoverished and don't get enough to eat, or are starving, it is appalling that people would choose to "diet" this way.

Not only is it a tremendous waste of valuable food, but it is also definitely an eating disorder. Your friend should seek help.

[ruffy]

This sounds like a huge warning sign to me. If I were you I'd inform her of some of the dangers, not just physically but mentally. This could be one small step to a full blow eating disorder, so please be careful.

[delemag]

chewing sweets still gets her fat. Sugars and proteins are dissolved in saliva.

tell her shes bonkers. eating disorder should be treated immediately