Chewing and spitting behavior (CHSP) is a concerning practice where individuals chew food and spit it out before swallowing, often as a weight management technique. While it may seem like a harmless way to enjoy the taste of food without the calories, CHSP can lead to a range of physical and psychological issues.
Understanding Chew and Spit Behavior (CHSP)
As its name implies, chewing and spitting behavior (CHSP) is characterized by chewing food and then spitting it out without swallowing. The concept is to enjoy the flavor of something-usually rich, highly palatable foods-without taking on the calories. Individuals who partake in CS typically have an increased desire for thinness, increased loss of control (LOC) and body dissatisfaction. CS can be used as a way to taste food viewed as “forbidden” or unhealthy.
Even if the behavior starts as an attempt to manage weight, it’s possible for this habit to become compulsive after some time, potentially contributing to the development of other disordered eating patterns.
Potential Causes of CHSP
Like many unhelpful thoughts and behaviors around food and eating, CHSP can be tied to a number of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, and depression. Low self-esteem and negative body image may also play a role in maintaining this behavior. Still, experts have yet to name a specific cause of CHSP. Some people may chew their food a specific number of times before spitting it out, which could be an expression of some of these conditions, especially certain anxiety disorders.
Prevalence of CHSP
Regardless of its potentially harmful implications, CHSP is sometimes advertised as a “dieting tip.” Some bloggers or influencers may promote the idea as a “way to have it all,” while the internet is filled with questions about how to start using CHSP. And that high visibility can have an impact. More than 12% of teenagers in one study reported at least trying chewing and spitting behavior. Still, those who had tried CHSP also tended to score higher for psychological distress, which may implicate deeper concerns at play.
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CHSP: Disorder or Symptom?
Experts are split on how exactly to define this behavior. Some believe CHSP constitutes its own eating disorder, while others think it represents a symptom of other disordered eating conditions.
CHSP as a Symptom
Many researchers maintain that chewing and spitting isn’t a disorder in itself but rather a symptom of other eating disorders. One study found that nearly 25% of people with diagnosable eating disorders have used chewing and spitting as compensatory behavior. Another scientific review concluded that CHSP was a potential indicator of worsening disordered eating behavior. Rather than designate CHSP as its own disorder, these professionals liken it to other common eating disorder symptoms, including using laxatives, restricting food intake, and exercising excessively.
CHSP as a Disorder
At least when it comes to official recognition, chewing and spitting behavior isn’t technically a disorder. The condition doesn’t appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is the official record of all recognized mental health disorders. Spitting and chewing was initially thought of as a form of purging and was studied among people who struggle with bulimia nervosa. An earlier version of the DSM listed CHSP as a symptom of a group of disordered eating patterns referred to as eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). This has since been removed and is not listed in the current edition of the text. Still, some experts argue that the behavior should be re-introduced to the official record. Eliminating it, they claim, could allow doctors to miss some of these behaviors and lead to prolonged difficulties for people who struggle with CHSP.
Side Effects of Chewing & Spitting Out Food
While experts aren’t quite sure how to define chewing and spitting behavior, they agree that the idea is a problematic one.
Physical Side Effects
- Malnourishment: Malnourishment is one potential side effect, as spitting food out prevents the body from absorbing needed nutrients.
- Weight Gain: But CHSP has also been tied to weight gain, likely due to overeating that occurs to make up for the behavior.
- Stomach Issues: People who partake in chewing and spitting are also at risk of stomach problems. When you chew food, your body releases stomach acids to prepare for digestion. Chewing and spitting means releasing acid into an empty stomach, often leading to stomach ulcers or other complications.
- Other Side Effects: Swollen salivary glands, tooth decay, cavities, and hormonal imbalances are also serious potential side effects of CHSP.
Mental Health Impacts
In addition to the related health issues you mention, CHSP also has other physical and mental health impacts. Individuals suffering from CS also showed increased loss of control (LOC), pathological eating, negative emotions and feelings, and body image distortion. CS sufferers may be trans-diagnostic (i.e.
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Addressing Compulsive Spitting
If you are chewing and spitting, it could be an indicator of deeper concerns. These behaviors are often tied to or help uphold other mental health conditions or disordered eating patterns, which can be harmful to your mind and body, especially long-term. Seeking help for the condition can help address not just chewing and spitting behaviors but any other underlying or interconnected issues that may be going on. Therapy can help you address any unhelpful thoughts you may be experiencing and help you take your first steps on the road to recovery.
Practical Steps Towards Recovery
- Awareness: For most people, chewing and spitting follows a pattern. Awareness is, therefore, a helpful starting point, and this can involve tracking for a few days or a week, to see what you notice. What are the emotions or thoughts before it starts?
- Journaling: Chewing and spitting can feel like control, but it’s actually the eating disorder controlling you. Do some journaling on this. For example, write down how it limits your life: social events skipped, foods feared, joy diminished.
- Exposure: Eating disorders are anxiety disorders and all anxiety disorders are about avoidance. The opposite of avoidance is exposure and this means doing the thing you are afraid of.
- Develop a Plan: Yes, you can plan to not engage in chewing and spitting, but this won’t prevent the urges from happening. So it’s essential to come up with a plan for when the urges hit.
- Challenge Food Fears: Give yourself full, unconditional permission to eat foods you’ve feared - and swallow them. This rewires the brain to trust food and breaks the chew-and-spit cycle.
- Seek Support: I’m a firm believer that no one should be doing recovery on their own. As I mentioned earlier, chewing and spitting is usually part of a collection of other eating disorder behaviours. Which means you can work on the chewing and spitting directly, as well as the other issues that are leading to you being stuck in an eating disorder. Recovery is more than “not doing chewing and spitting” - it’s living without the urge to do it.
Chewing & Spitting Disorder FAQs
If you or a loved one are struggling with chewing and spitting behaviors, you may have some questions about the condition or what to do.
Does chewing and spitting lead to insulin resistance?
Many people participating in diet forums ask this question. When tasting sweet food, as often happens when participating in chewing and spitting, the body may release small amounts of insulin. However, it’s unclear whether this alone leads to insulin resistance. It’s more likely that insulin resistance could build up from skipping meals or eating one large meal a day-which may or may not happen in conjunction with spitting and chewing.
Does chewing and spitting cause weight loss?
It depends. People who restrict their intake through CHSP may see some weight loss, especially in the short term. But the behavior has also been tied to cycles of binging and purging or overeating, which could lead to weight gain.
Does chewing and spitting out food cause weight gain?
Chewing and spitting doesn’t directly lead to weight gain. The action may even result in weight loss at first. But CHSP has also been connected to weight gain, as it’s been linked to cycles of binging and purging or instances of overeating.
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Are calories absorbed in the mouth?
Some calories may be absorbed in the mouth, though most are typically taken in later in the digestive process. It depends on the type of food you’re eating, how long it’s in your mouth, and how much you may swallow.
If I chew food but don’t swallow, do I have an eating disorder?
If you regularly engage in chewing and spitting behaviors, it may be a sign of an eating disorder. Speaking with a trained therapist could help you understand these behaviors and help you form healthier habits.
Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
- Myth: Many individuals use chewing and spitting as a perceived “safe” way to enjoy taste without gaining weight.
- Myth: Chewing and spitting may serve as comfort, distraction, or as emotional numbing. It can become a ritual that temporarily soothes difficult feelings.
- Myth: Some in recovery use chewing and spitting as a “bridge” - reducing more severe behaviours (like vomiting) but still avoiding full eating.
The Importance of Professional Support
I’m a firm believer that no one should be doing recovery on their own. As I mentioned earlier, chewing and spitting is usually part of a collection of other eating disorder behaviours. Which means you can work on the chewing and spitting directly, as well as the other issues that are leading to you being stuck in an eating disorder.
Consequences of Metabolic Confusion
Many symptoms occur with eating disorders due to the body getting into a low-energy state. Digestive issues - Your body releases enzymes and stomach acid, expecting food, that never makes it into the stomach. Metabolic confusion - When the body tastes food, it anticipates that this will then reach the stomach and the rest of the digestive tract, to be turned into energy.
Recovery is Possible
Change is possible - even after decades. I wholeheartedly believe in full recovery, for everyone. You deserve more than a life half-lived in rituals. Support is the fastest route to freedom.