PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF FOOD RESTRICTION

A review of the literature and research on food restriction indicates that inhibiting food intake has consequences that may not have been an ticipated by those attempting such restriction. Starvation and self-im posed dieting appear to result in eating binges once food is available and in psychological manifestations such as preoccupation with food a nd eating, increased emotional responsiveness and dysphoria, and distr actibility. Caution is thus advisable in counseling clients to restric t their eating and diet to lose weight, as the negative sequelae may o utweigh the benefits of restraining one's eating. Instead, healthful, balanced eating without specific food restrictions should be recommend ed as a long-term strategy to avoid the perils of restrictive dieting.