Eating is a stressful task for people who suffer from eating disorders. These clients have a lot of concerns racing through their minds. How will I appear once I consume this food? What is the calorie count of this? What quantity of sugar? But even people who follow extremely rigorous dietary regimens occasionally eat because it’s necessary to survive.
Eating habits are one method that clients use to cope with the stress of eating, but they are not the only method. These are actions meant to help the person eat less, which lowers anxiety, or they are meant to alleviate some of the tension and anxiety associated with eating. A few of these customs are derived from nutrition recommendations, like sipping water before meals or in between bites, eating mindfully, and consuming minimal portions.
So, just what is micro biting, exactly?
As a milieu counselor at the Center for Discovery, I have observed that taking tiny bites—a practice referred to as “micro biting“—is one of the most prevalent eating customs. This is the act of chopping food into extremely tiny pieces or taking several bites out of a piece of food that is already bite-sized. Nibbling on a piece of bread or consuming a raspberry in two bites are two examples. Tearing food is another related activity that frequently results in smaller bites of food at a time. A lot of us rip our food, particularly bread.
The intention underlying the conduct is more significant than the fact that it is happening. Most people who tear their bread or other food would not experience anxiety if they were told that they could not tear it. Tearing food for them is a habit or a preference that does not alter the amount of food they will eat, and is not done with a goal in mind, such as consuming less food.
However, for many with eating disorders, tearing food, excessively cutting up food, or taking small bites is designed to slow down the eating process with the thought that less food will be consumed. It also serves to reduce anxiety since not as much food (which represents many emotions and outcomes) is taken in at one time. It is similar to choosing to feel small amounts of pain over a long time instead of one large amount of pain all at once. In the same way, excessive chewing also slows down the eating process with the thought that less food will be consumed during the meal.
Where Do These Ideas Come From?
Some are in our culture and are advertized as polite or good health. Women, especially, are told to eat in a “ladylike” fashion and to take small bites. We are told to chew our food a certain number of times to assist in digestion, whether or not this is a scientific fact. Therefore, these behaviors become part of the eating culture and are not necessarily disordered eating. Eating rituals vary from person to person, and what may be ritualistic for one person may not be ritualistic for another, even within the eating-disordered population.
It is important to take an honest look at yourself. Attempt to not tear your food, take small bites, chew a certain number of times, etc. If you feel anxious, this may be more than a preference or habit. Instead, it may be a coping strategy to deal with eating, and that is when the behavior becomes disordered. If you do find that you are using eating rituals, there is good news. Behavior can be changed as behavior therapies and other therapeutic interventions can be effective in these issues. Seek out a medical professional to create a treatment plan specific to you.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is imperative to redress micro biting and other aspects of table manners for a positive eating environment to be observed. Such actions, which sometimes go unnoticed, can interfere with one’s pleasures as well as social relations. In regards to mindfulness during meals, people should be able to gain better approaches to eating habits and interpersonal approaches to those with whom one shares a meal.
Clearly stated rules of conduct as well as realistic and polite behavior do not only improve the quality of dining services provided but also result in consideration by all the diners. Last of all, the development, from two separate aspects, of positive habits at the table improves both the quality of life and the quality of the table conversations, thereby enhancing the value of relationships during a meal.
