Food insecurity and eating disorders
Eating disorders in the United States are ever-persisting problems that have rarely been addressed on a public level. With dieting culture and inaccurate body depositions, eating disorders are becoming a more common mental illness, but not as easily detectable (The Jed Foundation). My eating disorder was centered around my anxiety, rather than from body dysmorphia. My anxiety would often make me feel nauseous, and as my anxiety worsened, so did my use of purging to relieve my anxiety. Being sick to my stomach would curb my hunger, and rarely would I have one full meal a day. I loved and still do love my body, but purging or refusing to eat to control my emotions was unhealthy. For a long time I did not recognize what I was experiencing as an eating disorder, but after seeking treatment for my anxiety, the patterns still persisted. I had to learn when to listen to my body and its hunger signals, as well as meal prep ideas that helped focus my attention on meals, so I wouldn't go long times without making myself food. I found making fun and flavorful food is most helpful when trying to eat. I love cooking, I grew up learning how to with my mom, so by diving into that passion, I was able to get through my obstacles. I specifically buy fresh produce, and think of possible new recipes to try when I go grocery shopping.
While partaking in the SNAP Challenge, the discovery that peaked my interest the most was struggling with staying to a schedule. I usually do some meal planning before grocery shopping, but I rarely plan when and which meals I would make each day. Creating more stress around the topic of eating and meals makes it even more difficult to be able to actually take time and make myself food (i.e., why I make the cooking experience fun). With having had an eating disorder, my hunger signals can be all over the place. A part of recovery is trying to listen to your body and what it is telling you, therefore, when you feel hungry, you should try and eat so you body and brain know that the signals are working. During my SNAP Challenge week, I was only really able to eat one meal a day with maybe a snack, so I felt as though I was betraying my body when I would feel hungry but not feed myself. Particularly, not being able to pick up food on the go was tough. Often I will pick up a snack while on campus for when I do start to feel hungry, and on the days I feel less motivated to cook for myself, I am willing to buy ready-made food so that I don't miss a meal. Not being able to eat any food that I didn't make in my own kitchen was the hardest part of the challenge. I felt constrained by food, even though I couldn't have it, which was new for me.
The topics of food insecurity and eating disorders are not discussed enough in our society today, even though they affect many Americans tremendously each day. When assessing SNAP benefits and the actual experience of living off the state budget set for you, mental health needs to be addressed. Far too many who are struggling with food insecurity are unable to even think about their mental wellbeing because they are still trying to just physically survive. While I do believe a perfectly functioning individual could survive off $32 a week, most of us are not perfect. There has to be greater moral compassion when assessing food insecurity, because most who are in need of SNAP benefits have more to worry about than just their access to nutritional resources.
While partaking in the SNAP Challenge, the discovery that peaked my interest the most was struggling with staying to a schedule. I usually do some meal planning before grocery shopping, but I rarely plan when and which meals I would make each day. Creating more stress around the topic of eating and meals makes it even more difficult to be able to actually take time and make myself food (i.e., why I make the cooking experience fun). With having had an eating disorder, my hunger signals can be all over the place. A part of recovery is trying to listen to your body and what it is telling you, therefore, when you feel hungry, you should try and eat so you body and brain know that the signals are working. During my SNAP Challenge week, I was only really able to eat one meal a day with maybe a snack, so I felt as though I was betraying my body when I would feel hungry but not feed myself. Particularly, not being able to pick up food on the go was tough. Often I will pick up a snack while on campus for when I do start to feel hungry, and on the days I feel less motivated to cook for myself, I am willing to buy ready-made food so that I don't miss a meal. Not being able to eat any food that I didn't make in my own kitchen was the hardest part of the challenge. I felt constrained by food, even though I couldn't have it, which was new for me.
The topics of food insecurity and eating disorders are not discussed enough in our society today, even though they affect many Americans tremendously each day. When assessing SNAP benefits and the actual experience of living off the state budget set for you, mental health needs to be addressed. Far too many who are struggling with food insecurity are unable to even think about their mental wellbeing because they are still trying to just physically survive. While I do believe a perfectly functioning individual could survive off $32 a week, most of us are not perfect. There has to be greater moral compassion when assessing food insecurity, because most who are in need of SNAP benefits have more to worry about than just their access to nutritional resources.