We make millions of decisions surrounding food every day: What should I make for dinner? Should I order out? Is my meal healthy enough? It is important to think about what we’re putting in our bodies, but food anxiety can form when you become preoccupied with the consequences of eating certain foods. Negative relationships with food, a negative self-image regarding weight, and dieting culture can all lead to eating disorders such an anorexia or bulimia. While food anxiety has similar if not the same serious consequences, it is not talked about as much, highlighting the importance of knowing what food anxiety can look like and who to ask for help.
What Causes Food Anxiety?
There are several reasons food anxiety can develop, including fearing how eating certain foods will affect your body after being consumed. People who are involved in activities or sports that value thinness are also more likely to develop a negative view on food intake and worry about how others will perceive their body weight and compare it to their performance. Being a picky eater can also lead to food anxiety because those anxious feelings stem from not having enough choices or not knowing what to eat. Studies have also found that certain personality traits such as perfectionism, novelty-seeking, or impulsiveness, may increase the risk of food anxiety. Food anxiety can begin as a simple worry of gaining weight but when those fears result in over-restricting eating habits, food choices and decisions can become overwhelming and cause anxiety.
What Does Food Anxiety Look Like?
Food anxiety can present itself in different ways depending on the individual and what specific fears or worries they are facing. Someone who is concerned about body image may present with obsession over their body image, over restricting their food intake because they are unsure of what to eat, or even being overwhelmed with food choices. Food anxiety can also cause physiological symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, an uneasy stomach, or rapid breathing. Restrictive eating or little to no eating can also result in dizziness or fainting, difficulty concentrating, or irritability. Long term symptoms from restrictive eating include severe malnourishment, significant weight loss or the development of other severe eating disorders.
When Should I Talk To A Professional About My Food Anxiety?
Just like with any eating disorder, you should reach out for help if you are experiencing any physiological symptoms like headaches, fatigue, severe vomiting, or weakness. If your restrictive eating is impacting important areas of functioning academically, socially, or is causing significant disruption in your daily life, consider contacting a mental health professional to talk through your concerns and symptoms. Lastly, a person should contact a doctor if a healthy amount of weight has been lost, if throwing up or laxatives are being used to avoid gaining weight, or if you’re eating fewer calories than is recommended.
It’s important to know the causes and symptoms of food anxiety because it makes it easier to spot in yourself or a loved one. Speaking to parents, friends, and healthcare providers about your eating habits can open the door for positive conversations surrounding anxiety, healthy eating practices, and personal issues you are experiencing with food. Mental health professionals are also available to help you understand any worries surrounding food and collaborate on a treatment plan that is catered to your needs and goals.
If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline for support at 1-800-931-2237.
