Have you heard of the Chew-and-Spit Diet?
Chances are you haven't, but it's been around for years and years. Unfortunately, it's recently regained popularity.
So just what is the Chew-and-Spit Diet?
So just what is the Chew-and-Spit Diet?
"You just buy stuff, chew it and spit it out without swallowing, thus ingesting fewer calories. This is best done alone. It sounds gross but it's much MUCH nicer than having your fingernails scratching the back on your throat as you stimulate your gag reflex."
Well, doesn't that sound lovely?
Some experts consider chewing and spitting an eating disorder, while others do not. Regardless, it is a dangerous activity.
And why is it dangerous?
Well, let me tell you about just a few problems with this "diet."
"A person who chews and spits is not allowing essential nutrients into the body. Therefore, the behavior is akin to starvation dieting and/or purging by vomiting.
Ulcers (because food in the mouth triggers acid release in the stomach) and jaw pain are possibly in store for regular chewers and spitters.
Stomach UlcerWeight gain, not weight loss is the most likely consequence. The body reacts in unforeseen ways to continual chewing and spitting. Seeing, smelling, hearing about and even the hint of food can trigger the release of insulin. This hormone regulates blood sugar and is a major player in diabetes. Tasting food releases salivary enzymes and also triggers the release of insulin. Excess insulin is a dieter’s worst nightmare, because the hormone stirs appetite, making a person feel hungrier, wanting to chew and spit more. Here lies the addiction to chewing and spitting, which like bingeing and purging can be daunting to try and quit. Heightened appetite also triggers eventual weight gain, something easily evidenced by simply reading the bloggers’ laments.
If a person chews and spits long enough, they can fall into a state of hyper-insulinemia, producing too much insulin, which sets him or her up for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and eventually diabetes.
A person who chews and spits is probably harboring deeper fears about his or her weight and body image. These fears-- and all preoccupations with thinness and dieting-- are the foundation of all eating disorders. If you chew and spit, you are setting yourself up for a serious disorder later in life. "
And last, but not least, your teeth rot.
Please take a moment to read the comments below which were left on a blog by people who chew and spit, or have a loved one who chews and spits:
"Posted by c dibb July 6, 2007 3:26 PM
Posted on July 6, 2007 15:26
Denise Oliver:
My 23 year old daughter has been chewing and spitting for about 7 years now. Other than all of the other reasons for stopping, here is her real life reason:
Her teeth are corroded, breaking and falling out. She needs root canals in all of them and eventually will require implants or more cost effective: dentures.
Why: Because unlike bulimics, the corrosive acid, from letting the chewed food sit in her mouth, then the spitting, has deteriorated her teeth below the gum line, which is virtually impossible to repair. Also, infections in the nerve and jaw are common.
STOP this self destructive behavior. And remember, if much of the reason for doing this is about your self image, picture yourself with dentures at 23. I beg all of you to stop."
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Posted by Denise Oliver July 11, 2007 3:29 PM
Posted on July 11, 2007 15:29
Katy:
I NEED HELP :( I'm only 16 years old. I could relate to everything Brittany said about C/S disorder. (Minus the fact that my mother does not know.) I don't know where too go. I suffer from this horrible chew-spit "disorder." It's become an obsessive compulsive habit and I can't seem to shake it. Help me.
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Posted by DARLENE October 11, 2007 3:59 AM
Posted on October 11, 2007 03:59
sarah :
I have been a chewer/spitter for 8 years now. Former anorexic in and out of eating disorders clinics, never could make myself sick but after getting to a normal weight I thought I'd found a "way" to enjoy the taste of fattening sugary food without getting fat. Wrong.
No matter how hard I excercised, I couldn't get to a size 8 and my teeth are now full of cavities, stained and got missing ones and crowns.
I thought I was the only one who did this till typed it in to Google! I would be mortified if anyone found out what I do, But I can't stop.
I brush my teeth after a big session but still paranoid of not being able to lose weight.Plus I can't afford to keep up my dental care.
I am 29 and am scared to death am going to end up having no teeth and diabetes after reading the articles.
Is there anything long term c/s sufferers can do to reverse damage done?
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Posted by Anonymous December 11, 2007 8:47 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:47
ruthie:
Hi ,I had bulimia for many years. I have it under control now for at least 8 years. I have been chewing my food and spitting it out, mostly sweets like chocolate. It consumes me. I do it every single day .....i was wondering if this can cause hairloss. I was diagnosed alopecia. Now I'm really upset and do this more. I just can't stop on my own . ruthie
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Posted by Anonymous July 21, 2008 11:07 AM
Posted on July 21, 2008 11:07
m.:
I wish I could meet everyone who has posted on this board so far. I really really do. I have been C/Sing for far too long. Finding this huge page with all these comments makes me want to cry. Especially when I realize some of these people are younger, some are older....and all sound as confused and helpless as I feel. :(
The ones on here who are saying it's healthy and that it won't mess up your teeth - YOU ARE WRONG. You either haven't been doing it long enough OR you're lying. Period.
Do this long enough and you will f*ck up your insulin regulation, your insides, and yes, your teeth.
Thank God, all my showing teeth are alright. They're pretty & white and I get compliments on them often. BUT the ones toward the back have started to break/chip and they are PAINFUL.
I'm 28. Have held a lifelong struggle with a myriad of eating disorders, from anorexia to bulimia, compulsive overeating, compulsive eaxercise, laxatives, etc, etc, etc.
All of these things will hurt you in the end. If you live that long.
Anyone who needs a friend, please email me.... I need one, too.
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Posted by Sue September 15, 2008 9:31 PM
Posted on September 15, 2008 21:31
Vivian:
My name is Vivian and I started chewing/spitting while in recovery for bulimia. I now have been chew/spitting for over 11 years and I finally decided it is time to stop. I've been in therapy for almost a year now and I haven't done it in almost two months!
This isn't just a great way to lose weight. In fact, it actually keeps extra weight on you. You are probably swallowing more than you even know, and I am sure of this because I often purged after huge chew/spit binges and a lot would come back up. I have actually lost weight in therapy.
What did I lose by chewing/spitting? First of all my self esteem and like others have mentioned, my teeth are horrible. Almost all of my teeth have 4-5 surface fillings (the back ones) and my mouth still really hurts. I will probably be lucky if I don't end up with dentures.
Don't fool yourself into believing that this is a diet. It's not; it's an eating disorder that accompanies many of the same fears as anorexia and bulima. I have suffered with all three of these diseases and it is not pretty. I am disgusted by those who claim this is just a great way to lose weight. I didn't really even know others suffered from this until recently. I have felt all alone in my disease my whole life. Please stop this before chewing and spitting takes over your whole life. I have two children and I have done it in front of both of them. I used to chew/spit almost all day. Now that I am in recovery, I am able to read books, garden, write and I am getting my life back. Good luck to all of you who are in this struggle as well. I know first hand how hard quitting can be.
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Posted by manda September 24, 2008 7:42 AM
Posted on September 24, 2008 07:42
mary:
Wow. So glad to see the truth about c/s is finally coming out. I did a google search about 2 years ago, and nothing could be found.
I've been addicted to c/s for 8 years now. It started w/ small chocolate bars. Now I binge about 2 grocery bags of junk every day. I can't help it. It's something to do, takes my off of things and it comforts me.
I've not been anoxeric or bulimic, just into c/s as a release. It feels good to confess. No one knows about this but my best friend.
My mom knew about it 4 years ago, but she thinks I'm free from it now. I went to 2 therapists for this. One opposed it, but didn't have any good recovery plan, the other didn't think it was an issue. Just a quirk.
I need help. I don't want to hide this any more. I want to stop, but i don't know how to. I've gone through 3 days w/o it, but always have gone back to it.
Now I feel my speech is being impeded b/c my mouth is always sore and dry.
I need help. Can some one give me step by step pointers/instructions? Has anyone recovered from this?
Thanks for your attention to this! appreciate it!
mary
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Posted by Britni October 25, 2008 2:17 AM
Posted on October 25, 2008 02:17
AMBER:
I HAD THIS AWFUL DISORDER ON AND OFF FOR 1O YEARS, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED IT,BUT IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING, EXPENSIVE HABIT.
I COULD SPEND CLOSE TO 30 DOLLARS A DAY IN FATTENING FOODS AND ISOLATE MYSELF FOR HOURS CHEWING AND SPITTING. I WAS EXHAUSTED,GUILT RIDDEN, BROKE, AND DEPRESSED AFTERWARDS. I SWORE EVERY TIME, NEVER AGAIN AND...I THINK I GAINED WEIGHT BECAUSE IT IS SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO SWALLOW PART OF THE "chew". IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM SEEK THERAPY,I DID!I'T IS A DISGUSTING, UNNATURAL HABIT THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH AND MENTAL PROBLEMS.DON'T BE ASHAMED ,YOU ARE NOT ALONE.HELP IS OUT THERE.
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WARNING!
If you continue chewing and spitting, you will inevitably suffer the disastrous consequences (ulcers, rotting teeth, weight gain, diabetes, etc. )
Please get help...now!
http://msmisanthropist.blogspot.com/2005/09/chew-n-spit.html
http://trishagura.com/blog/2007/05/chewing_and_spitting_having_yo.html http://www.dlisted.com/files/winogumglasto1.jpg (photo of Amy Winehouse)
Posts
10 comments:
Thanks so much for bringing attention to this issue in such a well-rounded accurate way. Chew/spitting is extremely common amongst anorexia and bulimia sufferers, and i'm sure it is common in others too. A couple of weeks ago it was suggested in a magazine column!!
There's very little information about c/s and its dangers, and so i'm really pleased you're touching on this issue.
Josie, lovely to hear from you.
To hear chewing/spitting was suggested in a magazine column is shocking. Hopefully, the serious consequences of c/s will strike home with those who are searching for info on it because those consequences are very real.
Again, thanks so much for taking the time to comment and for your very kind words.
Are you kidding me??? This is actually a diet. Do you know this is a behavior that is big in the WLS community. I've done it myself over the years. It was first spoken about to use while cooking--any good cook is gonna taste the food right?? Well we--and I mean WLSers--would taste then spit out. Cause you know every little bit adds up. They even have this acronym ---TBL---taste, bite, lick---you keep count of every taste, bite or lick to add to your calories for the day. Is it any wonder my ED got worse after my WLS.......sheesh....
Bama, I wish I were kidding. It's very real, esp. amongst girls and young women.
In researching c/s, I came across quite a few posts by people who had undergone WLS who practise chewing and spitting. And you're right...it's no wonder your ED worsened after your WLS.
A few young Hollywood "stars" are currently practising this so-called "diet," which to my mind has fueled its global resurgence.
Unfortunately, most who practise c/s are unaware that their behaviour can lead to some pretty serious health issues, including bulimia, anorexia, etc. It's the stuff of nightmares :^(
i thank you for postin this. and it keeps me trapped in ED since gaining weight after anorexia. i overdid and gained A LOT. like now i am really heavier than my beginnings. i dont understand the psychology, whatever chemistry that dwells within chew-spitting, but i swear it consumes my life more than anorexia did. and it made me feel shit, esp when people around think that i am NORMAL and out of ED. at the end of it all, the physical and mental aspects kicked in. and rotting teeth, i now have several hollows in my teeth, i havent fixed them (think abt the money and pain), they look perfectly normal stillon the outside, but yes they are hollowing... and you just feel more alone than ever even if there seems to be people around all the time. i still do this EVERYDAY, i cant help me. thanks for shedding light on this topic, its so often overlooked. :p
(((Krianne)))
I wish there was a magic wand I could wave to make your c/s disappear forever. You have been through SO much. My heart breaks for you.
I hope you seek medical help as soon as possible, hon. It's such a difficult thing to beat, but knowing that you succeeded in overcoming anorexia, I know you have the strength to do this.
Thank you so much for commenting, Krianne. I'm sending positive, healing thoughts your way.
Hugs,
Medusa
Hi,
I just want to share my story. I have a good job, with lots of responsibilities. People describe me as being confident and outgoing, but I don't think they know the real me. I live in my own apartment, and most night I chew and spit. It started few years ago, where I started obssesing about calorie, and exercise, then it progress to spit and chewing every night with combination of bulimia, as sometimes, I go out for dinner with friends, and straight after that I will chew/spit. I fel so lonely, sad, and ugly. I don't think people around me know the real me, small little comment can hurt me really bad, and I will cry and chew/spit at night to release it. Im trying to change, but don;t know how...
(((Anonymous)))
Thank you so much for sharing.
There is help out there...please believe me.
There's a wonderful website called We Bite Back. The members there will help you. I've referred many people there who are suffering from all types of disordered eating and they have all told me the support there is unbelievable. Please check them out and be sure to watch the video on the main page. Here's the link: We Bite Back
Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best. You can beat this thing.
Hugs to you...
*sighs* I probably missed the credit, but where did you find that photo of the skinny blonde girl? Is that more 'thinspiration'? It frightens and disturbs me beyond belief, the way it is made up to look like a professional photograph and so beautiful, but the model looks like a concentration camp victim.
I know that some people are naturally thin and have high metabolisms. I believe that whatever body shape a person naturally has, that's fine for *them*. But I don't understand the desire to look like a person who has literally (and I'm not saying this lightly) been through Auschwitz.
People who use 'thinspiration' and pro-ana and pro-mia websites and message boards as encouragement in their illness live in a prison of their own making. That is the most frightening and saddening thing to me. :-(
When anorexics/bulimics talk about 'Mia' and 'Ana' being their friends, personifying these illnesses, I just want to scream at them to wake up! An illness is not your friend. An addiction is not your friend. A drug is not your friend. An obsessive habit that will steal your health, joy, and satisfaction in life is not your friend.
Genre Geek, the blonde girl's photo is all over Google images if you Google "anorexia." There are many shots of her from different angles, and trying to find the original source of the photo has been unsuccessful for me because of the number of times her images appear in search results.
Again, your comments are so spot on and insightful. You have a wonderful talent for writing.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I really appreciate it, as I know my other readers will too.
Hugs,
Medusa
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