Do you think you are suffering fromeating disorder ?

Consult a professional

Expertise

Why consult?
Your body is sending you a sign, you have to listen to it. It can be helpful to come out of isolation.

A clue, a sign

Do you feel that:

1. Are you losing control of how much you eat?

2. Do you eat when you feel sad, anxious, angry or bored?

3. Do you feel guilty when you eat certain foods?

4. Feel like throwing up or vomit when your stomach is full?

5. You no longer recognize your hunger and satiety signals?

6. Is food a dominant topic in your life?

7. Do you very often count calories and it is difficult for you to go to a restaurant?

8. Don’t like your body?

9. Do you often diet?

10. Your weight keeps increasing?

11. Do you perceive that you are too fat while others find you too thin?

12. You have reached your goal weight, but you want to lose even more because you are not well in your body?

Each of these twelve points could be an indication of a disturbed relationship with food in addition to having a negative impact on the healthy management of your weight.

Where are you located?

Now do this test:


Listening to signals of hunger and satiety Positive body image	(About 20% of the population)
Diets: dietary restrictions, diet plans, fasting, calorie counting Food compulsions: eating your emotions, guilt, shame Negative body image: body dissatisfaction	(Problematic Eating Behaviors)
Anorexia Bulimia Overeating Eating disorder not otherwise specified Bigorexia Orthorexia	(Clinical Eating Disorders)

Need help :

If you have problematic eating behavior or believe you have a clinical eating disorder, you’ve come to the right place and I can help! The solution is not in isolation. Call me to make an appointment! 514 667-5778

Well-being:

My non-restrictive approach based on intuitive eating and mindfulness will help you reconnect with your hunger and satiety signals and rediscover the pleasure of eating freely!

Eating Disorders
Ask for help, because it's never too late! Anorexia, bulimia, hyperphagia.

Eating disorders (ED) are often, by mistake, associated with the whims of young girls wanting to look like the models we see on TV or in magazines. By the same token, many people believe that to succeed in curing these problems, all you need to do is start eating again! However, it is not that simple. These mental health problems are recognized as being very complex to treat. Their causes are multifactorial. People suffering from these diseases are men and women, of all ages and from all socio-economic backgrounds.

In order to recover from an eating disorder, psychological, nutritional and often medical help is necessary. Getting over an eating disorder is not easy. This requires a lot of courage, encouragement from loved ones and above all, a lot of perseverance and self-compassion.

Anorexia nervosa

Intense fear of gaining weight and distortions.

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder characterized by sudden weight loss (at least 15% of body mass) resulting from drastic diets, of fasts, of induced vomiting , use of laxatives or excessive physical exercise. People with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight and have many distortions related to their body image.

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate among mental illnesses and several social, physical and psychological complications can be linked to this disease. It is possible to find, among other things, anxiety, depression, dizziness, loss of consciousness, osteoporosis, and many more. People with this disorder also sometimes socially isolating.

Bulimia

Presence of food compulsions, followed by compensatory methods.

Bulimia is a mental health disorder that is characterized by the presence of compulsive eating, followed by compensatory methods. These compensatory methods include drastic diets, fasts, induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and many others. It is important to mention that feelings of shame, guilt and disgust often follow these episodes.

Several complications on social, physical, and psychological levels can be linked to this disease. For example, the person may develop anxiety, depression, intestinal problems, experience social isolation, have their esophagus burned by vomiting, as well as dental enamel problems.

It is interesting to know that people struggling with this eating disorder are usually of normal weight or only a few pounds above their natural weight.

Binge eating disorder

Presence of food compulsions, but without compensatory methods.

Binge eating disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by the presence of binge eating episodes, but without compensatory methods. In individuals with binge eating disorder, the episodes of binge eating are often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. Specifically, the food orgy leads the individual to feel guilt, shame, remorse, and even disgust.

Several complications on social, physical, and psychological levels can be linked to this disease. For example, the person may develop anxiety, depression, obesity, abdominal distension, diabetes, experience social isolation, and be constantly preoccupied with their body image.

From a statistical point of view, 30% to 50% of obese people, or about 10% of the general population, suffer from binge eating disorder. Despite the high percentage of people affected by this disorder, it is still unknown by many.

Eating disorder not otherwise specified
Excessive preoccupation with weight and diet.

Eating disorders not otherwise specified include issues that do not specifically meet the criteria for specific eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder. On the other hand, people with an unspecified eating disorder may live with low self-esteem and be obsessed with their body image.

People with these disorders can count calories, weight loss diets, adopt overtraining habits, etc. It is important to take this problem as seriously as other eating disorders.

Other eating disorders
Bigorexia and orthorexia

Bigorexie

Compulsive or exaggerated practice of sporting activities.

It is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that falls under the subcategory of body dysmorphophobia (obsessive fear of being malformed or ugly), but whose obsession carries specifically on muscle mass. It occurs almost exclusively in men. Since they sometimes have the impression of being too thin or insufficiently muscular, they are compelled to practice sports activities compulsively or exaggeratedly.

In this disease, physical activity is present in order to develop a disproportionate muscle mass, even if the body of the man has a normal appearance or is already very muscular.

The daily life of a person with bigorexia is entirely organized around sport, which can cause family and professional problems. In short, practicing your sport becomes an obsession that takes up all the space in everyday life.

Orthorexie

Obsessive control over the quality of ingested food

It is possible to draw a parallel between anorexia and orthorexia. In anorexia, we speak of obsessive control with regard to the quantity of food ingested. On the other hand, orthorexia involves an obsessive control over the quality of ingested food.

As with all eating disorders, it is a continuum. Orthorexia does not appear overnight. Usually, this disease starts with a strong interest in healthy eating. Then, it is when this interest turns to obsession that the problems arise.

Over time, the worry of eating normally becomes a real problem. This disease can cause people who suffer from it to calculate everything and stop eating spontaneously. People who have it do not allow themselves any flexibility in the types of food they eat and they live with anxiety.

(DSM-5, fifth edition of the DSM or the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.)

Issue of the relationship to weight and diet
A multifactorial issue.

Although many recognize themselves in the frequent feeling of feeling too full after a meal and having the impression of often eating without hunger, it is wrong to believe that it is only a question of gluttony or lack of will. Not knowing how to eat according to your needs can sometimes be accompanied by an unstable weight over time, with significant variations or constantly increasing, and this can be explained by several factors:

Restrictive diets that lower metabolism
Food myths (e.g. cutting out starches and increasing protein to lose weight or be healthy…)

Eating habits ingrained since childhood (not throwing away food, finishing your plate, not being entitled to a dessert if the meal is not finished…)
Managing Emotions Through Comfort Foods
Various eating disorders
Medication or endocrine disorders
Heredity/genetics

Often all of this leads to a negative relationship with food and body image, which can sometimes require or greatly benefit from psychological, nutritional and/or medical follow-up. Do not hesitate to ask for help in order to regain your well-being.

The facts about losing weight

Did you know that diets are ineffective? The proof: According to research, 95% of people who diet regain the lost weight within five years of following the diet.

Of those 95%, 60% will regain even more weight than before.

Mann, T., et al

(2007). “Medicare’s Search for Effective Obesity Treatments: Diets are not the Answer”, The American Psychologist, 62(3), p. 220-233.

The anti-diet approach

The anti-diet approach consists of attentive listening to hunger, satiety, tastes, and cravings signals, which promotes increased intuitive listening to one’s body and its needs. It aims to deconstruct preconceived ideas about dieting and restrictive regimes, thereby promoting a healthy relationship with food and one’s body.

Its application allows for achieving and maintaining one’s natural weight, as well as eating without guilt. By natural weight, it is meant the weight at which the body naturally stabilizes when eating normally and according to one’s needs. Natural weight cannot be determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) but is rather specific to each individual, influenced by genetics and other factors, and its maintenance is regulated by the brain. Thus, a person who eats without restriction and listens to their hunger and satiety signals tends to maintain the same weight, which is their natural weight.

Through the anti-diet approach and psychological support if necessary, you can promote the achievement and long-term maintenance of your natural weight in a safe and respectful way for your body.

The (HAES) approach

At LauGau Nutrition Clinic, we adhere to the HAES® approach.

What is the HAES® approach?

The term is an abbreviation for Health At Every Size®, or “Health at all weights”.

This philosophy has a solid scientific basis and is also recognized and used in the treatment of eating disorders. One of its principles is that everyone can work to improve their health, regardless of their weight, and that healthy lifestyle habits will not necessarily lead to thinness. In other words, a person’s health cannot be judged solely on their weight.

The current prevailing belief is that health can only be achieved by achieving a so-called “healthy” weight according to BMI (body mass index). It’s wrong. The reality is that the cult of thinness and the war on “overweight” and “obesity” has done more harm than good to people’s physical and mental health. It is a well-known fact that at least 95% of people who attempt to lose weight voluntarily through diets, or any other method, regain the lost weight or more within 5 years. Yo-yoing with our weight also leads to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. In addition, diets are also a known risk factor for the development of an eating disorder. So why bother to recommend weight loss for better health? Here, we just don’t do that.

At LauGau Nutrition, we opt for an approach centered on well-being instead of weight in order to help our customers achieve better physical and psychological health in the long term. Rather, we adhere to the HAES approach which recognizes that a person’s overall well-being and health are more important and complex than aiming for a certain number on the scale.

Here are some principles supported by the HAES® approach and by our nutritionists:

Promotion of a balanced and healthy relationship with food
Incorporation of movement and physical activity in a positive, enriching and adapted way
Advocating access to quality health care and services without discrimination related to weight
Recognition that health is a complex concept that goes beyond physical health, and can mean something different to everyone.
Inclusion, celebration and respect for body diversity for all.

If you would like to know more about the HAES® philosophy, do not miss our blog post on the subject!

References

https://lindobacon.com/

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
https://asdah.org/
http://grossophobia.ca/

Health At Every Size book by Lindo Bacon and Lucy Aphramor

Bariatric surgery
Ask us for advice!

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgeries include different operations aimed at inducing weight loss by altering the functioning of the digestive system. They can be restrictive or malabsorptive.

Malabsorptive

Surgery that reduces the ability to digest and absorb macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, usually by diverting part of the intestine.

Bariatric surgeries are generally restrictive (eg gastric banding, gastrectomy/sleeve) or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive (eg Roux-en-Y, biliopancreatic diversion)

Body image

Bariatric surgery can bring different side effects and different results in terms of lost weight and speed of weight loss for each person. It can be easy to compare yourself, to question yourself and to experience a feeling of failure if things do not go as expected. Also, the rapid change in the body following weight loss can have a negative impact on body image, for example if the weight loss has left excess skin.

References

Bacon, L. (2010). Health at every size: The surprising truth about your weight. BenBella Books, Inc

Harrison, C. (2019). Anti-diet: Reclaim your time, money, well-being, and happiness through intuitive eating. Hatchet UK.

Lauren Muhlheim, P.D. (2020, May 1). Eating disorders before and after bariatric surgery. Verywell Mind. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorders-and-bariatric-surgery-4628329.

Restrictive

Surgery in which part of the stomach is removed to reduce its volume, thus limiting the amount of food that can be ingested.

Relationship with food

Many people who have or are interested in bariatric surgery have a history of eating disorders (such as binge eating) or dieting, or have a negative relationship with food for a long time. Some problematic behaviors present before surgery, such as food cravings and obsessive thoughts towards food or sports, tend to return after a while. A person may also develop a new eating disorder, such as anorexia.

Health

It can sometimes be difficult after surgery to meet energy, protein and vitamin and mineral needs, which increases the chances of suffering from nutritional deficiencies and loss of muscle mass during weight loss. These difficulties may be related to the nature of the chosen surgery, side effects (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, pain), altered hunger signals, fear of not losing enough weight or gaining it back, etc

The support we offer

Do not hesitate to contact us for support if you:

Consider bariatric surgery, but are concerned that you currently have a difficult relationship with food,

Have ever had surgery and problematic eating behaviors develop or resurface,

Experiencing difficulties with your body image,

Having difficulty meeting your dietary needs.

Chronic diseases and various conditions
Adapting your diet can change your life.

Nobody is immune to developing a chronic disease at some point in our lives. Multiple factors can contribute directly or indirectly to their development. Unfortunately, some are not modifiable while others can be through a change in your dietary habits.

Among the non-modifiable factors are:

– Our genetics

– Our socio-economic status

– Access to healthcare services

– Environment (e.g. air quality)

– Our education

– Our gender and age

– Being part of a marginalized group

– Even exposure to certain viruses!

Lifestyle habits such as diet, stress management, physical activity, and sleep can also play a role in the development and/or management of a chronic disease.

If you suffer from a chronic disease, know that it is a very complex phenomenon and its development is not your fault. A diagnosis of chronic disease can generate a lot of anxiety and confusion. Therefore, it can be difficult to understand your condition and know what changes to aim for. Whether due to lack of knowledge or due to the development of a problematic relationship with food, it is normal to feel the need for support to help you live better with your condition and reduce its long-term impacts.

At LauGau Nutrition, we welcome you in a non-judgmental environment that will allow you to explore at your own pace with your dietitian the dietary changes that are within your power and relevant to your condition.

We can help you with the following issues:

– Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

– Hypertension

– Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.)

– Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

– Polycystic ovary syndrome

– Digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, etc.)

– Several others (Ask us if your condition is not listed)

Our approach is centered on the individuality of each person and maintaining changes in the long term. We practice according to the non-diet, body neutrality approach for weight loss, as weight loss through restriction is unfortunately often temporary. In short, it is possible to improve your health through your lifestyle habits at any weight. Improving these habits will have a positive impact on your health, regardless of whether or not you see a change in your body weight.

Fix an appointment

Feel in trust when we talk.

Empathy, listening without judgment and a warm atmosphere are necessary for the journey of each person.

Our blog

Everything on food

Discover our most recent articles about recurring questions about eating problems.

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Expertise

Do you think you are suffering fromeating disorder ?

Consult a professional