My Experience With Binge Eating Disorder and MASLD

Being overweight and having an eating disorder was one of the most embarrassing things I have experienced. I never would have anticipated that it would lead to a liver condition diagnosis that would forever change my life.

My disorder was something I kept to myself from the age of 14. How or why would anyone believe me if I told them I had an eating disorder? In my experience, EDs are attributed to individuals who are thin and skinny.

My struggle with binge eating disorder

I had convinced myself that if I told anyone about my struggles, they would laugh in my face. "You? Eating disorder? Yeah, right."

I was anything but skinny. I wore plus-size clothing for as long as I can remember. I was going to Weight Watchers meetings long before I even graduated high school.

I spent the majority of my adolescence and 20s eating my emotions. Happy, sad, disappointed, excited, nervous, lonely, overwhelmed, stressed. You name the feeling, and I was feeding it.

These dietary habits stayed with me for years.

How my eating disorder impacted my liver condition

Once I began researching metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) after my diagnosis in 2021, I soon found out that my binge eating disorder was a contributing factor to my fatty liver.

When I ate, I ate a lot. I ate past the point of feeling full. This made me forget whatever was in my brain, as I just focused on the food.

I definitely wasn't binge eating salad, either. It was Taco Bell, chicken tenders, French fries, and fried food. My dietary habits also included foods high in saturated and trans fats, as well as high-carb foods (not the good carbs).

Well, wouldn't you know, MASLD is an over-accumulation of fat in your liver. This fat comes from what you eat.

Obesity, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, and dietary habits high in processed foods and sugars can all lead to MASLD. Here I was, slowly but surely binge eating myself into a diagnosis.

Where I am now in my health journey

I am now 33 years old. Although I have moments of temporary weakness, I can officially say that my consistent binge-eating days are behind me.

I focused on the Mediterranean Diet and took the aspects of it that would work for me. I loosely implemented them into my lifestyle, changing my dietary habits for the better.

I ate the things I loved, but when I could, I replaced them with healthier options and smaller portions.

Am I a dietician? No. Am I a nutritionist or doctor? Also no.

What I am is a human being living with a condition, who was given a diagnosis and had to self-educate to get my life onto a better track. I had to learn to eat to fuel my body, not eat to feed emotions.

It has been one heck of a ride, but it has been so worth it.

In the last 4 years, I have lowered my cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver enzymes. I feel better.

I think I look better. When I get my next FibroScan within the next year, I hope the results reflect a healthier, happier me. Fingers crossed.

If you or a loved one shows warning signs or is at risk of an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also chat online to get help.