Jinger Duggar Vuolo, the 32-year-old former star of the reality television series ’19 Kids and Counting’, has revealed her personal battle with food during her teenage years. Speaking openly on the “Call Your Sister” podcast alongside her sister Joy-Anna Duggar, Jinger recounted how stress and concerns about body image began to shape her relationship with food from the age of 14.
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Reflecting on those formative years, Jinger described a period marked by intense stress, which often left her feeling physically unwell. “I had so much stress in my body that I almost physically was feeling sick,” she explained. This stress culminated in a visit to the doctor, where she shared experiencing a variety of symptoms believed to be stress-related.
Jinger frequently compared herself to her peers, questioning why others were seemingly smaller and more attractive, which only exacerbated her anxieties. This fear of judgment extended to potential romantic interests, further complicating her self-image. She disclosed that her eating habits began to change as a coping mechanism. “It was around that time when I started just avoiding certain meals,” Jinger recalled, mentioning her attempts to skip breakfast and lunch by sleeping in as late as possible.
Within the family structure, where dinner was the main meal shared together, Jinger found it relatively easy to conceal her eating habits. “We would eat dinner, more dinners together as a family than we would lunch and breakfast,” she said, indicating how her avoidance of meals went unnoticed. Her sister Joy-Anna candidly admitted her preoccupation with food at the time, stating, “I was too busy stuffing my face. I wasn’t paying attention to what you were eating.”
Eventually, Jinger’s struggles with food led her to withdraw from social gatherings, and her health deteriorated to the point where she required a colonoscopy to address her internal issues. “My insides were so messed up because I was so stressed and also I don’t think I was eating enough,” she noted. This period, she reflected, was not only detrimental to her physical health but also to her mental wellbeing as she grappled with her self-worth.
While she emphasised that she never resorted to purging, Jinger’s avoidance of food became a significant aspect of her life. At a crucial juncture, she decided to confide in her mother, Michelle Duggar, sharing her struggles in an effort to seek help. “I told Mom everything that I was struggling with, how I was avoiding food,” she recalled. Michelle’s response was one of compassion and understanding, as she revealed her own past with bulimia.
Jinger found reassurance in her mother’s story, as Michelle encouraged her to be transparent about her struggles while promoting a healthier relationship with food. “She said, ‘Jinger, I struggled with bulimia when I was young,’” Jinger shared. This revelation allowed her to feel supported rather than judged, as Michelle advised her that it was permissible to eat healthily without depriving herself.
In an effort to build accountability, Michelle implemented strategies to help Jinger navigate her eating habits. This included the allowance of a mobile phone so she could update her mother after meals. “If she was gone, I would text her and I would have accountability from somebody else who was there,” Jinger explained. She reflected on how important this accountability was in fostering a healthier approach to food.
Ultimately, Jinger emphasised the necessity of prioritising mental health and striving to form a positive relationship with food. Although she faced challenges during those years, she affirmed, “I never had any issues with bulimia; that was not something that I struggled with. But it was hard in those years because I had to mentally get to a place where I was like, ‘Okay, I am not gonna focus on that.'”
Jinger’s courageous disclosure offers insight into the tumultuous journey many face regarding body image and eating disorders. Her story underscores the importance of seeking support and fostering open dialogues about food and mental health. For those grappling with similar issues, organisations such as The Alliance for Eating Disorders provide resources and support, highlighting the benefit of community in overcoming such personal struggles.