Eating Disorders

If it is mostly carbs, then these cause sugar spikes. The body then stores it as it can't use it all at once so you get fat. Once the sugar level drops in your blood you feel hungry again. So you are stuck in a cycle of eating and getting fatter but you can't stop. 

If you eat fats or protein as well it slows down your digestion and it does not pass through your stomach so fast.

So the sugars are passed more gradually to the small intestine where they are absorbed.

This levels out the blood sugar so you feel less hungry and it gets used instead of being stored.

With a restricted diet it is hard, but eating fewer carbs (not none) may well help.

You may benefit from a dietician, otherwise just experiment.

It is something I can relate to myself you see, unfortunately I have had many physical problems over the decades and GP surgeries and Hospitals can be traumatising for some autistic people. When your daughter has her formal diagnosis, I wonder if they may let her have home visits? 

Thanks so much for your comment! She is taking her vitamins and supplements, so that part’s covered. Visiting the GP is actually tricky for her, the practice is small and usually quite warm, which can trigger her anxiety and even panic attacks. We’ve asked for reasonable adjustments like a cooler room, but unfortunately they can’t really provide that. I really appreciate you asking if she’s able to go to the GP, no one’s asked that before, it was such a kind and thoughtful question :)

Thank you so much! I will check her website now.

Thank you so much for your answer! We also have a water rower, but she’s not keen on using it. She has good muscle mass and loves weights, but her exercise isn’t consistent. She drinks plenty of water and takes her vitamins and supplements, but her diet is mostly carbs due to sensory issues, which also makes it challenging to maintain a healthier weight.

Hi kookaburra333 I had ARFID as a teenager and whilst I know your teenager isn’t eating less you do mention they have a restricted diet and so I wondered whether they have become deficient in some nutrients, vitamins etc? Their body may be craving more food to fill in any gaps? I think a GP visit would be your best starting point. Is your teenager able to visit the GP?

Hi, I have struggled with a lot of issues around food and digestion and many of these are linked to being autistic. I can’t really advise on your particular situation as I think this needs very tailored advice. If you are able to go privately, I can recommend an amazing dietitian that has made a huge positive impact to my mental and physical health. I have know her for over 5 years now - initially my university funded some sessions and now I just see her occasionally. It’s thanks to her that I realised I am autistic and ended up being assessed for autism. She has helped with so much more than just food. She has experience working with neurodivergent individuals as well as people with disordered eating- but she really sees you as a whole and not just as someone in a category. It’s expensive so I don’t know if this is something that you could consider but if yes here is her website. https://www.dalianutrition.com

Thank you so much!

Hi Lotus

Thanks for sharing this helpful perspective. 

Just to clarify, it can be helpful to talk about what has helped you or someone you know, as you’ve done here. Rule 6 exists to prevent misinformation and attempts to influence others:

“Posts offering medical or legal information will be removed if they attempt to direct another user's actions, influence a user's medical or legal decisions or are not clearly from personal experience.”

Sharing your own experience is fine. We will take moderation action when someone uses language that could be interpreted as telling someone what they should do. 

Many thanks

Sharon Mod

I would guess it is either:

1. the physical sensation of eating,
2. the feeling of being full, or
3. The body wanting more due the food not being balanced,
4. Slow digestion.

Chewing gum or having something for the mouth to.do would help with 1.

Drinking more would help with 2. A pint of water shortly before a meal makes you feel full sooner. This helps with portion size.

If a lot of carbs are eaten the body may keep feeling hungry because it is missing nutrients. A multi-vitamin may help, but eating more protein and less carbs will help to prevent hunger. Having a boiled egg with cereal reduces the sugar crash and snacking. I mix whey protein with my milk and cereal and I don't feel hungry for hours.

Chronic stress raises cortisol which slows the metabolism and promotes fat storage around the waist. Stress also prompted eating higher calories foods. Sleep disruption also affects hormones which affects appetite. Getting good sleep and reducing stress will help, along with a better balanced diet.

Stress also promotes comfort eating.

Note that digestion can be slowed by stress and also forgetting to drink enough. Constipation and slow digestive transit is uncomfortable. I tended to overeat to keep my digestion going which was a lot more comfortable, which then requires more exercise to get rid of. I now have bran flakes with an added sprinkle of sultanas for breakfast, I try to limit bread, I have some salad items, and I try to limit starchy root vegetables (carrots, potatoes) by having more broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc.

Just some things I've noticed about myself.

I also have a rowing machine as it's kind to joints, but I either use it too much or not at all.

Thank you for your response! 

Hi and welcome to the community. I'm an autistic woman in my mid sixties, and I didn't have that issue as a child or teenager but it happened for me in my early 40s - always hungry, eating too much, putting on weight, always tired. In my case it appears that it was partly eating too much processed carbohydrates and not enough protein, plus hormone changes as I was starting menopause. 

We aren't allowed to give medical advice here so I can't tell you that you should put your teenager on a low carb diet - which is what helped me - as it may not be right for them. So I would suggest you speak to their GP for advice, who can refer them to a dietician if necessary - I did speak to my GP before changing my diet and she was very supportive.