Structured Eating

What's the problem?

In order to recover we must get our bodies back in balance and 'in tune' with our hunger and satiety. This is not possible if we we continue to eat in a chaotic fashion.

How do we fix it?

Eating 3 meals and at least 2 snacks each day allows us to move from chaotic eating to mechanical eating. This means: eating at set times, whether you're hungry or not. Most people with bulimia do not believe they can eat 3 normal meals and be a normal weight, but you can. By doing so you can help to combat many of the physical and mental symptoms associated with bulimia, including binging and purging!

Zone To Do List

Read Dieting can lead to eating disorders
Read about diets and its detrimental effects
Start to recognise and record any diet and bulimic thoughts
Ask yourself if you are secretly dieting e.g. strict healthy eating?

Zone Goals

To move from chaotic eating to structured eating. This will help combat many of the physical and mental symptoms associated with bulimia. It's the first stage to getting your body back in balance
Once you have successfully developed a structured eating pattern move on: Body Awareness Zone.

Before you start...

Read getting started if you have not done so
Have you started to question your Bulimic beliefs?
Have you started to use your food journal?

Ali says...

I understand that it can take a while to adjust to new ways of doing things. I also understand that it's difficult to just haphazardly start eating normally after a history of bulimia. You need to have patience and accept that at times you will feel afraid. Structured eating might well be the most challenging part of you recovery. However, it should be considered as one of the most important parts.

It can help to think of food as medicine. You may not want to take it, but it is necessary for you to take it in order to recover. As well of thinking food as medicine you can also think food as fuel. Your body needs fuel on a daily basis in order to function properly and stay healthy.

Structured eating guidelines to success

Eat 3 meals and at least 2 snacks daily
Eat at least every 3-4 hours
In the beginning practice "mechanical eating." This means to eat your meals at predetermined times, whether you are hungry or not.
Normalizing eating behavior can reduce obsessive thoughts, anxiety and depression
Expect to feel anxious or stressed doing this. Doing anything new is a challenge and challenges can be stressful
In the beginning, don't eat too much at once if your body isn't used to that. Small meals are easier to eat and will make you feel less full
Plan out tomorrow's meals tonight. This can decrease anxiety
Monitor your eating carefully
Stick only to foods you feel safe with for the first month
Stick to alloted times - despite cravings/ hunger - if you are hungry please eat!
At first, focus on eating at the right times, rather than what you eat
Make resuming normal eating habits your first priority
Consult your GP before changing your diet in any shape or form! This information is for guideline purposes only.

What our members say...

"Thanks for everything you are doing. I really appreciate the help you provide and without it I wouldn't be able to continue."

Rose, Scotland

"I could never fathom the fact that 1 in 7 college-aged females were bulimic, yet I'd never met anyone who talked about their experience and the internet had an array of depersonalised information. Nothing useful. Nothing that made you feel you weren't alone or that there was hope. Finding the forum and advice at BulimiaHelp.org was the first time I could connect with other people who were experiencing life just as I was. I logged on everyday and started to learn about the illness, but most importantly to learn that there was hope. I can credit a lot of my improvements to the community and information at this site."

Krystyn, Melbourne

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Isabel Pasadena, CA

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Meryl Wellington, NZ

"With the help of BulimiaHelp.org I feel 100% comfortable about accepting the fact that I have a disorder. Everything is confidential and what makes it better is you can relate to others going through the same problem. THANK YOU BULIMIAHELP.ORG FOR HELPING ME GET BACKON THE RIGHT TRACK TO A HEALTHY LIFE!"

Amanda San Diego, United States

"I'd like to thank the BulimiaHelp website for everything it has done for me. Bulimia is truly a devastating sickness, but it has so little support. This website has really helped me understand that I'm not alone with my illness and that it IS possible to become healthy again. Thank you so much!"

Aleksa Hollen Los Angeles, CA

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Anonymous Pittsburgh, PA

"I used to binge at night, every night. I was so ashamed I would hide it from my husband. To this day he still does not know. Bulimia Help has been a huge success with me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I feel like I have finally gotten my life back."

Daniel, Galway Ireland

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Cameron, Cape Town, S.Africa

"I was too embarressed to talk to anyone about my bulima and I am just grateful I stumbled across your site. Richard I know you must hear this a lot but thanks you so much for all the effort you have put into this. It has changed my life in more ways than you can imagine."

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"I think that this site is a blessing because finally I am able to communicate with people who are going through the same struggle as me. I just want to thank you for all the tools and encouragement and knowing one is not alone is so helpful thank you so much!!!! What inspiration!"

Amy Ruth, Perth

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Lousie, Edmonton Canada

The information provided in this website is for information purposes only. The information on this website is NOT a substitute for proper diagnosis, treatment or the provision of advice by an appropriate health professional. Please refer to the full disclaimer and copyright. If you do think you might suffer from an eating disorder, it is important that you talk to your General Practitioner, as there are many physical complications that can arise from being at an unhealthily low weight or from losing weight very quickly, or from purging. We advise you to seek professional help with working on an eating disorder.