There are a few things we know about how to manage your diet. The first is to take ‘hunger’ out of the equation entirely. For those who are anorexic as well as bulimic this is harder (but worth trying), however let’s deal here with straight bulimia.

From experience in treating many bulimic clients in Vancouver, I know without doubt that a high protein breakfast (even just a boiled egg) immediately has positive effect. Having toast and running out the door is probably the worst breakfast (though marginally better than none).

Research high protein breakfasts and see what works for you. Some people claim they don’t have time for breakfast, and so can’t do this. Well, how seriously do you want to get through this? At the very least boil a dozen eggs for 10 minutes and then have a hard boiled egg on your way to work or school in the morning. Yeah – it’s important.

Take a look at the section on ‘Your Journey Back To Health”.  It spells out the diet ideas quite well, though these are not hard and fast. To some degree you have to see what works for you, but when you find it, stick to it. Going to a five meal a day plan really seems to help.

Some foods are dangerous. Pasta is a prime case. High carb, bulk supply foods ring the alarm bells. Something like an apple, for instance, comes in a ‘one portion’ size. This seems to help. On the subject of fruit, often switching to a fruit only diet after 5 pm has been successful for some clients. You are going to have to experiment, but please when you find something that works, please mention it in the Diet part of the forum. Sharing helps others.

One Group B girl had this to say about dangerous foods:

“I know I am not strong enough to be around bad foods, this kicks off the whole process. If you are in a situation, unlike my own, where you can rid your house from your typical binge foods/bad foods, do so. Find something that you can do instead of, like dancing around to music, remember this burns calories, where as the binge-purge cycle often results in a gain of calories! Most of us have a friend that knows about our disorder, if you don’t, please think about talking to the person you trust most, as they will be most able to help you. For example, develop a code word that lets your friend know when you’re feeling vulnerable to another cycle. Get them to come over on nights that you are alone, as these are often hard to make it through.

I have it set in my mind what are good and bad foods, which is not a good way to think I know, but if you are alike this, ask yourself before starting to eat anything am I allowed to eat this? if the answer’s NO, then don’t go kidding yourself that you’re only going to have a little bit, because this will start off a cycle.

Walking away from the food is the best solution, but I must admit, this does not work for me, I will go down stairs for a meal time, and already have it planned exactly what I'm going to have, so that I don’t go through a cycle, and get caught out. I plan to move out of home at the end of next year, at which time I will be able to control my environment much better, and help myself to lose this disgusting habit.”

For some people switching activity is enough to divert the binge/purge cycle:

“If i immediately switch what I am doing it helps.  If I was reading say, I will stop and go put on some music and dance or get out my pencils and draw, phone my sister, clean something anything to occupy my mind with some different thoughts and actions.”

Others talk of drinking large amounts of water. The most common theme is to get out of the place that you usually binge/purge within. Many Group B people actually don’t binge/purge on holiday. When they travel, they simply cease the action. Keep this in mind if it gets too much. Maybe it’s time for a trip!