Cotton Ball Diet: A Look at the Physical and Mental Dangers of This Diet

Source- Fitness Vs

In the modelling industry, the cotton ball diet became a vogue, and it quickly took a place in the leading trends of the world. This diet entails eating cotton balls soaked in juice or smoothies to make you feel full while also reducing calories to maintain or reduce weight.

Dipped cotton balls in juice or smoothies to use to fool your palate into believing you're eating something nutritious when you're actually not consuming a grain.

Some people eat nothing but cotton all day, while others ingest these fillers before a meal to help them eat less. It is observed that individuals can swallow up to five juice-dipped balls in one sitting before feeling entirely satisfied.

As an Eating Disorder

It's not a diet if you eat cotton balls — or any other non-food item — to lose weight. It's a serious eating disorder if you think so. The cotton ball diet, like eating disorders including bulimia, anorexia, and bingeing, carries substantial health concerns.

Body dissatisfaction is a common cause of eating disorders. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, about half of persons treated for eating problems also have mood disorders including depression. 

In other words, persons who follow diets like the cotton ball diet may be suffering from mental health issues.

The Cotton Ball Diet’s Risks

Cotton balls soaked in juice and eaten till one feels full is not only unhealthy since they deprive your body of essential nutrients and vitamins, but they also put your health at risk.

Choking Hazards and Gastrointestinal Issues- Your gastrointestinal system begins with your mouth and continues via your oesophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. 

Cotton balls can clog your gastrointestinal system in the same way that too much toilet paper can jam a pipe.

As a result of the blockage, an obstruction might develop, which is frequently a surgical emergency. Before your gastrointestinal system ruptures or an infection develops, surgery is required to clear it. Cotton ball choking is also a possible hazard.

Cotton Balls Could Be Contaminated with Harmful Chemicals- Many cotton balls are manufactured of bleached polyester rather than natural cotton, and as a result, toxins can build up over time and become toxic.

Other Outcomes-Eating cotton balls soaked in juice is not only harmful, but it can also lead to malnutrition, weakened bones, weariness, and emotional and mental health problems. 

Mental-health issues such as depression and anxiety are strongly linked to disordered eating.

Treatment

Disordered eating, such as the cotton ball diet, is frequently treated in a professional treatment centre that specialises in eating disorders and their underlying causes.

The cotton ball diet is harmful and often comes with deep-seated underlying triggers, necessitating the assistance of therapists and dieticians in order to fully recover and heal from this disordered eating habit.

A Risk-Free Option

It's nothing new to try to avoid feeling hungry while dieting; however, there are healthier ways to do so. The most effective method is to follow a volumetrics diet.

According to volumetrics, you should consume a lot of low-calorie meals like fruits and non-starchy vegetables (non-starchy vegetables would exclude potatoes, corn, peas and beans) to fill up your stomach and not leave place for high-calorie, low-volume items like cake, cookies, fried meats, high-fat cheeses, and so on.

A cup of raw broccoli, for example, is high in vitamins and minerals but has just 25 calories, but one ounce of fried chicken contains almost 100 calories.

A safer and healthier alternative to the cotton ball diet would be to eat five to nine servings (half a cup on average) of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, and one can still obtain similar benefits.

Written By- Megha Jain