How closely is Veganism related to eating disorders like anorexia?

Question

I notice that the Vegans are mostly very young, and are controlling their diet more for fear of weight than anything else.
It makes me think Vegan is just a PC term for bulimia/anorexia.

The primary features of both anorexia and bulimia are that they are control driven behaviour. Study after study comes up with this.
Sorry but when I read answers from Y!A Vegans they are anorexic and bulimic style asnswers.
It is all about control.

Worms? Who said anything about worms? Oddly enough you can get them from salads too.

Answer 1

you obviously don't know too many vegans

what worms??

Answer 2

A friend of mine battled with anorexia her whole life and died in her late teens because of it. The little food she did eat included chicken and fish... definitely not a vegan diet. I can tell you Veganism and anorexia are 2 completely different things. Anorexia and bulimia for starters are illnesses... veganism is a conscious lifestyle choice. Anorexics don't eat, vegans don't eat animal products but can and do still eat as much as they want. I for one eat 3 meals a day with snacks in between... just last night in fact I ate nearly a whole packet of biscuits after dinner which I didn't and never would throw up... something I'm sure an anorexic or bulimic person would not find themselves doing. I can't believe how ignorant and naive this question is. Who are these vegans you are supposedly noticing to be young and trying to lose weight? The only ones I come across are vegans out of compassion and not in an attempt to have a slimmer figure.

Answer 3

um Veganism if that is a word (i honestly don't know) is not a eating disorder it's a lifestyle choice to cut meat and other foods from your diet I myself have not chosen this lifestyle and not certain what all foods are included and excluded from the diet, but some cultures have thrived on vegan like diets. anorexia is a disorder where some ones views themselves as being overweight and refuses to eat that's a disorder

Answer 4

People with anorexia do not eat. If they do eat, it's something extremely low-calorie, and vegetables are low in calories. Bulimia is where you binge and purge. For example: You've been starving yourself so you decide to stop at Mcdonald's and order half the stuff on the menu, then stop and get a dozen donuts, then finish it off with half the menu from Burger King. You eat everything you get, then you throw it up.

A person with either of these mental diseases will not come out and say they have them. They try to cover them up by saying things like, "I'm just a vegan."

Making a conscious decision not to eat meat for your health or humanitarian reasons is very different from the mental disorders bulimia and anorexia.

I'm a vegetarian, and my goal is to not lose weight. I eat many complex carbohydrates to help maintain my weight. I didn't become a vegetarian to lose it.

Answer 5

There is a connection, but it exists because some people with eating disorders "convert to veganism" as a way of trying to hide their anorexia (it gives them a social excuse to turn down certain foods.) This does not mean veganism is an eating disorder or that it causes eating disorders. It just means that some people with eating disorders are subscribing to your logic that it's a more PC way of having people view their eating patterns.

Most vegans have chosen it for reasons like their health, animal rights or environmental reasons (and many for a combination of those.) I am half-heartedly hoping I lose a little weight by going vegan (I was vegetarian for 20 years and have been vegan for a little over a month) but it's not remotely my purpose for it. And so far it's not working!

Answer 6

No, but some people with eating disorders will say "I'm vegetarian" in an attempt to cover it up.

My wife is a Dietitian in a mental hospital and she says this happens sometimes.

I only know one vegan personally, and he is an 89 year old Hindu guru or "holy man." My wife is Hindu and has several vegetarian relatives, some of whom are elderly. It's a tradition in India that has been around for thousands of years. We suspect that our sister in law may have had bulimia in the past (but she's not vegetarian or vegan).

Answer 7

No they are not linked. I dont eat animal products and I'm not sick. I graze all day and love it. It is a moral choice and it is my choice. I dont judge those that have different choices I just dont feel comfortable eating anything that was alive. My boyfriend is a trained chef and we cook a ton of vegan stuff. I have never actually known a vegan anorexic. Most vegans and vegetarians I know are super healthy and love food.

Answer 8

Veganism is not an eating disorder so there is no proper comparison.

Veganism is a concious choice to not eat meat but generally in educated adults, it's a choice to also have proper nutrition.

I have cooked for a number of Indians over the years who have been vegans all of their lives and so were their parents, etc. They have a wonderfully varied diet with great herbs and spices.

Unfortunately, there are some people who have misunderstood Veganism, and adopted it for the wrong reasons. They don't usually stay with it as a life choice, tho.

Answer 9

Choose a whole-wheat wrap as an alternative to two slices of wheat loaves of bread.

Answer 10

Celebrate Meatless Mondays by making a meal starring beans (another weight-loss aid). You will love this sweet potato in addition to black bean burrito.

Answer 11

Hell no!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im a vegan and its a healthy life style. But yes, it does look like we starve our selves because we only eat fiber, protien, and no fat from fast-food, or meat. Veganism is not close to anorexia unless u make it like that. Like Im 16 5'4 and 99.02 lb because I don't eat fat. It may look like we are anorexic, but we're not unless we chose to be. (which I don't)

well, hope this answers ur question