The thing about protein…

In our diet culture obsessed world, where so many things are demonised, protein seems to be the only macronutrient we supposedly cannot get enough of. Instagram would have you believe that most of us a walking around with a significant protein deficiency that will lead us to all sorts of “health” problems, mainly the ones that make us gain weight. One purported “benefit” of protein is that it keeps you fuller for longer. This is a concept that plays right into the eating disorder’s dream situation. A way to eat fewer calories and stay full for longer? Perfect, right?! In particular during recovery, where being overly full is a common complaint, protein is not necessarily the best choice. However, in my own experience and what I’ve seen in others is that there is a significant resistance to reducing protein. Or perhaps more accurately, choosing foods that are not high in protein.

This is not to suggest that a human body, especially one in repair, doesn’t need any protein. Of course it does. But eating a variety of foods, with sufficient energy, will provide enough protein for recovery. Despite what the internet might tell you, we do not need to track and optimise our protein intake. Our ancestors have long survived without tracking macronutrients and I promise that your wonderful body can do the same for you too. In fact, your body’s preferred energy source is carbohydrates. Dietary fat is crucial for so many bodily functions too. All foods must be included in recovery and dismantling a preference for protein heavy options is necessary for full neural rewiring.

The great thing here, that influencers worldwide don’t want you to know, is that if you listen to your body - all of it’s physical and mental hunger signals - you will know the right food to eat for your body. Food is so much more than macronutrients and your body needs far less protein than diet culture tells us. More importantly, if not eating a protein rich meal or snack causes anxiety it’s a sign that you need to challenge it. “But what if I'm more hungry later?” I hear you ask. Well then you simply eat. This applies both in recovery and beyond. There will be times when a meal doesn’t sustain you for as long as another would have. This is perfectly normal and okay and the only correct response is to then eat more food! There really is no such thing as too much food. 

So despite your ED being terrified and telling you that you need to have more protein lest you get hungry earlier than usual, you know this is what you have to do. Have that low protein snack or meal that you’ve been craving and honour all of the hunger that comes later. Your body is so much smarter than any obsessive breakdown of macronutrients. So just listen to that very clever body and it won’t let you down. More than that, you’ll be able to nutritionally rehabilitate, neurally rewire and reach full recovery.