Kristin Cavallari Reflects on Disordered Eating in Her 20s, Says She Was ‘Obsessed’ with Her Weight

Kristin Cavallari, the former star of the reality television series Laguna Beach, has spoken candidly about her relationship with food and body image during a recent episode of her podcast, Let’s Be Honest. In this discussion, she reflected on her earlier years, recognising that she may have been grappling with an eating disorder in her twenties.

Cavallari shared her personal struggles with food, admitting that her obsession with diet and weight negatively impacted her life. “In my early twenties, I never had an eating disorder — but actually, I probably would say this is a form of an eating disorder, where I was obsessed with food,” she explained in the June 22 episode. The 39-year-old recalled moments from her past where guilt dominated her thoughts, stating, “I would guilt myself all day every day, and it was such a horrible way to live.”

At that time, Cavallari often found herself depriving herself of various foods that brought her joy. Her meals consisted mostly of bland offerings such as salads with chicken since she was excessively focused on her nutritional choices. “I was hyper aware of what I was putting into my body,” she added, underscoring how her fixation on healthy eating shaped her lifestyle in an unhealthy manner.

However, the former reality TV star disclosed that her strict approach would occasionally result in weekend binges. After night outs, she would succumb to large quantities of food, acknowledging that this too was an unhealthy pattern. “So I guess that is an eating disorder. I’m not trying to minimise it… This is sort of the first time that I’m like, ‘maybe it really was’,” she admitted, revealing a newfound understanding of her past behaviours.

During her reflection, Cavallari emphasised that while she did not engage in extreme behaviours often associated with eating disorders, such as starvation or purging, she believes there exists a spectrum of eating-related issues. “I was never starving myself. I was never throwing up. But there’s a spectrum, and I was definitely on some sort of spectrum,” she stated. She highlighted the societal pressures women face in relation to body image, which often contribute to such concerns.

Now, Cavallari feels she has attained a healthier perspective on food. “I have real freedom around food,” she expressed, indicating that she has evolved past her earlier obsessions. Her current approach to eating stresses the importance of whole foods while also accepting that processed foods are sometimes a part of her diet.

With her own experiences in mind, Cavallari aims to inspire others to reach a similar state of balance and understanding in their eating habits. She emphasised the importance of being mindful when choosing food products, encouraging her listeners to scrutinise labels for quality. “I think you can eat everything you want as long as it’s really clean and good quality,” she advised.

Cavallari’s candid revelations serve as a reminder of the complex relationship many individuals, particularly women, have with food and body image. By sharing her story, she hopes to destigmatise the conversation surrounding eating disorders and encourage a healthier, more balanced relationship with food for her audience.

As she continues to speak openly about her journey, Cavallari’s insights not only shed light on her personal struggles but also contribute to a broader discussion about body positivity and wellbeing. Her journey serves as an important reminder that many people navigate similar challenges and that achieving a balanced perspective on food and self-image is possible.