Is Bethenny Frankel Promoting Eating Disorders?
I came across a post about New York City's Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel possibly promoting eating disorders through her "Skinny Girl" dieting method.
A piece from the post says:
The now-pregnant Frankel has stated that she struggled with eating disorders when she was younger and has overcome them. Which is great. But tips like ” Taste Everything, Eat Nothing,” are classic eating disordered behaviors. It sounds good at first, but as reviewers have mentioned, she advocates tips such as having “three bites of everything” you want and then pawning the rest of your food off on your dining companions. Disclaimer: I have not read Bethenny’s book, but I am a follower of her on various sources and have come across, time and time again, statements that make me pause. Make me think, should this be the woman giving advice to people on how to become “naturally thin”? Talk like this isn’t new, and I’m not the first one to bring it up. There was buzz in the blogosphere a few months ago in early July that she is addicted to laxatives, when the New York Post wrote a blind item “Which unnaturally thin celebrity chef credits her bony frame to good eating habits, but really is addicted to laxatives?” Aside from blind items that point suspiciously to the BRAVO star, there are other statements that Bethenny herself makes that don’t necessarily prove she still struggles with disordered thinking, but seem to suggest it’s certainly possible that she might.
The writer even posted a YouTube video of the reality star making her famous "Skinny Girl Drink." She continues to write:
Near the end, if you skip to 2:20, she says, ” When I go out to dinner and people order a Margarita with salt, I cringe, because really…And everybody gets mad at me because I’m such a stick in the mud, I’m annoying and I should be having more fun…I have a lot of fun, but I cringe when people order a Margarita with salt. It’s like I feel like my ankles are swelling and I’m bloated thinking about it.” Doesn’t exactly sound like the thoughts of someone who has stopped obsessing about food, dieting, and her own weight. It seems like Bethenny doesn’t live by the central idea that her empire is based on: That you can live a naturally thin life, by making lifestyle changes, without “dieting” and without being neurotic about food.
And this writer isn't against Bethenny, or hates her in any way - they're actually a fan of hers.
Again, I am hesitant to even bring up this topic because she has clearly helped many women and I only wish the best for her. I just also wish that many of her tips, were, well “healthier.”
What are your thoughts FitCeleb?
I haven't read the book, but I came across some videos with here and it does sound like she hasn't overcome her eating disorder completely. But anyway, it is also something very difficult to overcome and I might think that this way of living is her way to function as a human being... (I actually think that people fighting eating disorders can benefit from her tips)
Is that image above real? It's always amazing to see how celebs "really" look, before the photoshop kids get to them. I didn't realize Bethenny had had an eating disorder before - it doesn't make her look like the right person to be pushing a diet book.
Nice article. Agree that todays celebs like Bethenny are to be blamed for OCD and anorexia. Young girls get easily influenced by these celebs
I read the book and I completely agree that she promotes a mild eating disorder. I enjoyed the book and am a naturally thin person but I know I freak out if I gain a couple pounds. To be "naturally thin" really means eat very little.
She is not qualified to be giving diet advice and I agree that her philosophy (coupled with her gigantic naked billboard in Times Square) not only promote eating disorders but also perpetuate the objectification of women. She is helping no one with her dime store psycology and unhealthy obsessions. She is obsessed with food yet tells people not to eat. How is that the path to a healthy outlook? I hope she has a son because if she has a daughter, the cycle will continue in her own home.
Post new comment