Rise of veganism masking disorders

THE RISING popularity of veganism and “hyper focus” on clean eating is normalising restrictive diets and making it more difficult for dietitians to treat eating disorders.

Dietitians say they are concerned about vegan diets being used to cover-up eating disorders because their “hard line rules” give people struggling with obsessive eating a “valid reason” for cutting out food and skipping meals.

It comes as veganism has boomed in popularity with researchers labelling Australia the third-fastest growing vegan market in the world.

The trend is being fuelled by social media with vegan communities on Instagram spruiking the diet as a way to lose weight and stay healthy.

Centre for Integrative Health dietitian Kate Lane said it was common to see clients with eating disorders following vegan and vegetarian diets.

“I’ve noticed a move away from animal products frequently show up at the beginning of the story as clients recall when their disordered eating began,” Ms Lane said.

“Eating disorders thrive on rules and restriction, and they find vegan diets very attractive because they offer simple hard-line rules, cutting out anything derived from an animal source, and provide a ‘valid’ reason for the restriction.”

Ms Lane said while she re- spected those questioning the ethics of “our food systems” she did not recommend patients follow any restrictive dietary pattern unless it was medically necessary.

“Vegan diets make it more difficult for the body to receive adequate amounts of some macro-and micronutrients due to the exclusion of nutrientdense animal foods,” she said.

Choose Nutrition principal dietitian Meg McClintock said elements of the vegan community who “judged” anyone who broke their diet meant there were some people who continue to eat vegan even if it was not working for their health.

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