More insights on ED behaviors: chewing gum and stress

One of the signs our daughter was struggling with her eating disorder was in increase in gum chewing (sugarless, naturally). This is well known as a common symptom of those unable to eat - the Minnesota Starvation study documented amazing amounts of gum use. This is usually interpreted as a way to satisfy one food-related urge without actually eating.

But another thing may be at play as well: new research finds chewing gum may reduce anxiety. Lower cortisol, better focus, better performance, less anxiety.

My favorite line in this report: "Study to be presented orally..."

The most "well, duh..." aspect: the study was done by Wrigley, a chewing gum manufacturer.

Comments

  1. Geez, what a surprise, positive findings about gum from a gum company. Who would ever think that??

    I actually am always chewing gum, and yes, sometimes I do it to avoid eating, but most of the time it's to keep my breath nice and fresh.

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  2. This makes me recall the years I jokingly would say, "some people hve a pack-a-day smoking habit, but I havea pack-a-day gum habit." Yes, it was to avoid eating. However, the advent of xylitol use in sugarless gums put an end to that, as my stomach can't handle it. Fortunately, I had also started upping my calories at the same time, so letting go of the gum was not as difficult as I had anticipated. Add to that the fact that I'm not wasting money on something that is entirely unnecessary--it's a win-win situation.

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  3. I once had a pack-a-day gum habit, and it was to keep from eating. I "learned" this from myriad women's magazines who advise this as part of a weight-loss strategy.

    And the xylitol can act as a purgative, making it more attractive to some people with ED.

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  4. I never really did the gum thing- I bite the inside of my mouth too much! I did chew a lot when I was phobic of fluids, and needed to wet my mouth. And I will when I need to stay awake for short periods while driving. But mostly I was afraid of the calories in gum and if I did chew, I'd time it to make sure that I would absolutely burn off every last calorie.

    The logic of an eating disorder...

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  5. I am working on recovery and chewing gum right after every meal really does reduce the stress after eating.

    I don't know if I would be able to eat at all if I couldn't chew gum afterwards.

    This is my best explanation for why I chew gum:

    After I eat, the first thought that enters my mind is "how am I going to to get rid of it?"

    Since, I can't engage in the behaviors and I feel powerless -

    I chew gum because it prolongs me having to answer the question, "how am I going to get rid of it?"

    Also, to me chewing gum is still eating so if I chew gum for an 1 hour a meal then I don't have to deal with the stress of holding on to the food because I am still "eating."

    I know it doesn't make sense that someone with anorexia would prolong the "eating/chewing process" but when the purging and restrictive behaviors are taken away, the anxiety is too great and chewing gum helps.


    I also noticed that ever since I started recovery, If I can't chew gum, I will chew a celery stalk very slowly because I don't want to deal with the stress of "after-meal time" and not being able to engage in the behaviors.

    So I don't think it's just gum that reduces the stress for anorexics. It could be anything that is repetitive and soothing or something that tricks the mind into believing it's eating.

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  6. Anon (the last one!),

    Your last paragraph makes perfect sense. I used to put puzzles together after eating. I got one of those 80 bazillion piece puzzles and worked on that throughout refeeding. And if chewing gum helps, go for it!

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  7. I did the chewing gum thing. I still do, when I'm stressed. I have a piece in my mouth right now...but not for that reason. Thank goodness.

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  8. The gum or sometimes mouth wash kills the bad taste in someone's mouth if they haven eaten. It temporarily satisfies the taste buds and makes them forget they're hungry.

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