Patterns of disordered eating are so normalized in our culture that many people don’t even recognize them.

They may even associate these patterns with being “good” or “healthy.”

I strongly believe that healthful and mindful eating cannot be built on a foundation of disordered eating, so it’s important to recognize and acknowledge these patterns in yourself. These are sure signs that you’ve got a case of food insanity, and the only way out is a six-month reset to stop the madness.

Here are a few signs of disordered eating from eatright.org:

• Chronic yo-yo dieting
• Extremely rigid and unhealthy food and exercise regime
• Feelings of guilt and shame when unable to maintain food and exercise habits
• Pre-occupation with food, body and exercise that causes distress and has a negative impact on quality of life
• Compulsive or emotionally driven eating
• Use of compensatory measures, such as exercise, food restriction, fasting and even purging or laxative use to “make up for” food consumed

And here are a few from my own experience:

• Extreme anxiety before a social gathering, knowing you’ll have less control over your food intake
• A list of safe foods and trigger foods
• Highly regulated, often arbitrary, rules about what, when, and how you eat
• Saving up your calories for a special occasion or cheat day
• Staking out opportunities to eat or binge in private
• Feeling overly upset by the presence of cupcakes, treats, etc. brought into your home or workplace
• The compulsion to finish a bag of cookies, pint of ice cream, etc. so you can get it out of your life and start fresh the next day