Vegan sister on the Verge of anorexia?!
she wont eat starch also becasue when she started being a vegan she lost ten lbs and she loved i guess so now she wants to add a diet on top of her veganism. , my family respects her choices and completly supports her but now shes turning pale and her hair is getting thin, her skinn is getting bad and we hardly see her eat. i say "tifany there no dairy or amilmal-made products in so-and-so why dont u eat this" and she'll look @ me and say "mmmmm- too much starch and/or carbs" so shes not getting enough protein and she has epilepsy and she sometime says she feels like in he morning that she may have had a mild seziure in her sleep (she has had them and she woke up sore) she also has athsma so i am scared that she amy have annoexica and the lack of nutrition in her bady may hurt her sicknesses. we already had a few tlks w/her but no avail.
what should we do!!!???
Answers: my sister first started out as a Vegitarian and now shes started being a Vegan a little bit over a month and a half ago.
she wont eat starch also becasue when she started being a vegan she lost ten lbs and she loved i guess so now she wants to add a diet on top of her veganism. , my family respects her choices and completly supports her but now shes turning pale and her hair is getting thin, her skinn is getting bad and we hardly see her eat. i say "tifany there no dairy or amilmal-made products in so-and-so why dont u eat this" and she'll look @ me and say "mmmmm- too much starch and/or carbs" so shes not getting enough protein and she has epilepsy and she sometime says she feels like in he morning that she may have had a mild seziure in her sleep (she has had them and she woke up sore) she also has athsma so i am scared that she amy have annoexica and the lack of nutrition in her bady may hurt her sicknesses. we already had a few tlks w/her but no avail.
what should we do!!!???
You are right to be concerned about your sister. A vegan diet, done ProperlY, is probably the healthiest diet, BUT it does sound like your sister has gone too far. Her eating disorder is probably completely unrelated to the original vegetarian lifestyle she chose, but it does sound like she's using "veganism" as an excuse for eating unhealthfully.
You must realize that anorexia is a serious illness.. Yes, an illness... it is not something that someone can just "get over" theirselves. You have to understand how anorexics think. They believe they are completely "in control" of their eating (That's what drives them..that "control) and because they think they are "in control" it is VERY difficult for them to realize/admit that they have a problem. Bulimics, who frequently binge on incredible amounts of food and then purge it by vomiting or other methods, usually realize that they lost control somewhere, so it is much easier for them to ask for help.
Your family has to realize that anorexics usually have to be taken to rehab against their wishes. By force, in other words. As I said, they rarely ask for help or admit they have a problem. Talk to your parents about your concerns. They may have to make the decision to forcefully take your sister to an ED clinic.
But please DO keep supporting your sister in choosing to be a vegetarian or vegan. You won't be able to reach her if she thinks you aren't. Try to find a good nutritionist who believes in vegetarianism as a good diet, but is also very educated on how to get proper nutrition from a plant-only diet. Tell your sister that you'll continue to support her dietary choices if she will consult this nutritionist and start eating more food, enough carbohydrates and protien (From plants).
Furthermore, if your sister is underweight, you must try to explain that she may have to compromise her diet. Veganism is SO healthy that it might be hard for her to gain weight. She'll have to accept that she may have to eat some dairy or eggs until she reaches a good weight. THEN, when she's healthy enough she can try PROPER, CAREFULLY planned vegan diet. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is the #1 most important thing to recovering from anorexia.
Hope this helps.
Here is a 60-minute documentary about eating disorders. It is extremely informative and would be good for both you and your family to watch. I caution you about having your sister watch it, though..It may actually "fuel her fire." But has alot of good information for your family.. You can watch the entire thing online!!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin/progra...
It's divided into chapters, but if you click on the first chapter, I think the others will automatically play when it's done.
She should see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. She should also see a nutritionist who can help make sure she is meeting her nutritional needs while eating vegan. A lot of vegans and vegetarians have a hard time getting enough protein and may not even realize it.
Sounds more like she's using her vegan diet as justification for an eating disorder. She needs to see a nutritionist - ASAP.
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Hmm... your sister is NOT anorexic. She is just in a category of veganism that not many go to. Her sicknesses are probably not an effect of her eating habits. Show her things that have lots of protein and low carbs or starch. Tell her you respect her habits, but fear she may not be able to sustain a healthy lifestyle if she doesn't start eating. Tell her there is a world of great vegan food out there and if she does have anorexia that she is missing out on a lot. Hope I helped and good luck with your sister.
let her know plitely that you are hurting yourself more than anything it might be a selfesteam problem so just give her a convidence boost say you greatly encourage her dicision but just dont hurt yourself in the process
Okay, so how old is your sister?
If she is an adolescent, tell her that she NEEDS carbs.
Carbs give you the energy to live healthily. Cutting certain carbs are okay, like white flour and sugar. But like whole grain carbohydrates are really good for you. They're complex carbs, so they give you all the good stuff. Tell your sister that she needs to eat some whole grain foods. They have the right kind of carbs and very little sugar, if she's worried about her figure.
And tell her that she's gorgeous either way. It's great that she cares about animals so passionately, but she needs to take good care of herself too.
Tell her that you're starting to get worried for her in an honest and sincere way.
Good luck!
I have a friend who is vegan also, you may want her to see someone about her eating habits and research some food products that don't have animal subtances in them. I hope this helps :)
http://www.raderprograms.com/googleindex...
Annorexia is a disorder where the main characteristic is the restriction of food and the refusal to maintain a minimal normal body weight. Most Anorexics lose weight by restricting their food intake. Anorexics may start by limiting or excluding foods that they perceive as having high fat or caloric content.
Once the disorder of Anorexia Nervosa takes hold, the individual usually ends up with an extremely restrictive diet that is sometimes limited to only a small number of foods. Additional methods of weight loss for Anorexics can include vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic abuse, insulin abuse, chew-spitting, and excessive exercise.
For individuals suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, any actual gain or even perceived gain of weight is met with intense fear of becoming fat. With Anorexia Nervosa, weight loss usually does not lesson the fear, and in fact, the fear often increases following the weight loss. Not only is there a true feeling of fear, but also once in the grasp of the disorder, Anorexics experience body image distortions. Most individuals suffering from Anorexia have an overall feeling of being overweight.
Some Anorexics have an understanding that they are thin, but are concerned that parts of their bodies are fat. Those areas of the body usually representing maturity or sexuality including the buttocks, hips, thighs, and breasts are visualized by the Anorexic as being fat. An individual with Anorexia Nervosa will often obsessively check their body size and weight through frequent weighing, measuring, pinching, and viewing themselves in a mirror.
With Anorexia self-esteem and self worth is tied directly to the Anorexic's body shape and weight. For an Anorexic, weight loss is viewed as a success, a sign of extraordinary self-discipline, and control over life. Conversely, any real or perceived weight gain is seen as a personal failure and loss of control for the Anorexic.
For some Anorexics, weight loss is so severe there is a loss of menstruation. Medical complications for individuals with Anorexia Nervosa can be severe and even life threatening. Some of the more common potential medical complications include emaciation, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, impaired renal functioning and gastrointestinal problems. For a complete list of potential medical problems for Anorexia Nervosa, visit our Medical Complications page.
If Anorexia Nervosa is left untreated, it can be fatal.
Anorexia Treatment
Anorexia affects both the body and mind. Rader Programs understands this complexity and will help you to build the anorexia treatment that works best for your lifestyle. Patients often experience body image distortion that can be brought back into healthy proportion with the right anorexia treatment. We offer a variety of programs tailored to your individual needs including 24-hour care through our inpatient facilities, daily support through our daycare sessions, outpatient facilities, continuing care and a family program that allows loved ones to assist in the recovery process. Let Rader Programs design the anorexia treatment plan that will keep you healthy for life.
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Anorexia Nervosa destroys lives and tears families apart. Rader Programs is dedicated to designing an anorexia nervosa treatment plan that rebuilds your mind, body and spirit as well as personal relationships for a more balanced lifestyle. Our interdisciplinary staff works around the clock to provide personalized care and give you a solid foundation for your anorexia nervosa treatment plan and total recovery. You will have access to our inpatient facilities, outpatient facilities, daycare sessions, continuing care and a weekend family program that brings your loved ones into the anorexia nervosa treatment process. Let Rader Programs help you take control for a healthier, happier future.
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If your sister fits this description, I listed a website that offers help. First though, take her to the doctor's office. Don't offer just take her and let the doctor say what he/she needs to say. Sometimes, that in itself may be just the key to get her start eating. Most of all though, don't be proud or embarrassed to say anything there is help out there.
Her issues aren't about being vegan or vegetarian she has a eating disorder she needs medical help. Get her to a doctor and into a program.
Admit her to a freaking hospital before she dies? If she won't get help for herself, it may be time for your parents to step up and make sure she gets what she needs.
Talk to your family doctor. Being a vegan takes it's toll on a body. The pasty skin and hair loss is just part of it. A flexetarian vegan diet is a lot more healthy.
The advise you'll get in the V&V forum is going to be highly suspect at best.