Disordered Eating or Discipline? How to Tell the Difference
A yellow plate with a few green peas and a silver fork, surrounded by a measuring tape, symbolising restrictive eating and dieting.
Mid to late adolescence is a peak period for the onset of eating disorders and their symptoms. Research shows that understanding and monitoring the proportion of disordered eating among young people is a crucial public health issue (Allen et al., 2013).
Recent studies indicate that more than one in five children and adolescents present with disordered eating behaviours (Hay et al., 2015). Despite this, disordered eating is often overlooked and even celebrated, when it is framed as “discipline,” “clean eating,” or “being healthy.”
What is Disordered Eating?
The term disordered eating is used to describe eating behaviours that do not meet full diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder and therefore cannot be classified as such (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). These might include rigid food rules, patterns of restriction, or compensatory behaviours that fall short of a formal diagnosis.
These patterns may appear harmless but can lead to significant distress, nutritional deficiencies, and in some cases evolve into clinical eating disorders.
💡 Learn more about: Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa
Why Disordered Eating Is Hard to Recognise (and Why It Matters)
Many people begin a diet or change their eating habits with the best of intentions. You might be wanting to feel healthier, more energised, or more in control. It is entirely normal, and often beneficial, to make thoughtful adjustments such as incorporating more vegetables or planning balanced meals, even when motivation dips.
The challenge arises when these intentions become fuelled by perfectionism. Perfectionism is characterised by setting unrealistically high standards and then feeling persistently dissatisfied or self‑critical when those standards are not met. Over time, the rules we set for ourselves can become so rigid that they start to limit our lives and wellbeing.
Early Signs That Discipline May Be Disordered Eating
Below is a quick comparison to help clarify whether habits might be supportive discipline or potential signs of disordered eating:
If your habits align more closely with the right‑hand column, it may be helpful to explore them further.
Common Thoughts That Masquerade as Discipline
These thought patterns often sound admirable but can be driven by fear or self‑criticism:
“I can’t trust myself around food unless I follow these rules.”
“Skipping meals shows I have stronger willpower.”
“Having dessert means I’ve ruined my progress.”
“Everyone else can eat freely, but I need to be stricter.”
“I don’t deserve rest until I’ve exercised enough to earn it.”
Why Early Intervention Matters
Even subclinical disordered eating can erode mental and physical health over time. The earlier these patterns are identified and addressed, the better the outcomes tend to be.
Early support can:
Reduce the risk of developing a full eating disorder,
Improve overall quality of life,
Support healthier relationships with food and body image.
For more information, see NEDA’s resource on disordered eating.
How Therapy Helps
Therapy provides a safe and collaborative space to:
Examine the beliefs driving your eating patterns,
Build flexibility and self‑compassion,
Learn evidence‑based strategies such as cognitive behavioural approaches to manage perfectionism and anxiety.
Many clients share that therapy helps them move from fear‑based control to values‑based, sustainable habits.
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Reflection Questions to Consider
If you’re wondering where your habits fall on the spectrum, these prompts can help:
Flexibility: Can I change my eating plan without significant distress?
Emotion: How do I feel after eating something unplanned?
Social life: Do my food rules limit my ability to join social events?
Headspace: How much of my day is spent thinking about food or exercise?
Motivation: Do my routines feel supportive and aligned with my values, or do they feel punitive and all‑or‑nothing?
💡 Click here for a free Brief Guide on Eating Disorders
Final Thoughts
Disordered eating can be subtle and is often minimised, but its impact can be far‑reaching. If any of these questions resonated with you, you deserve a space to explore them with care and without judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is disordered eating?
Disordered eating refers to a range of eating behaviours that do not meet the criteria for a formal eating disorder but can still affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life.
Why is it important to address disordered eating early?
Because these behaviours can escalate over time, early support can prevent them from developing into a clinical eating disorder.
Is it normal to make changes to my diet?
Yes. Making intentional changes to support health is normal. The key is flexibility and self‑compassion rather than rigid rules or self‑criticism.