Chantelle Houghton has opened up about her past struggles with disordered eating, revealing that she was dangerously restricting her food intake, consuming only 400 calories per day and fitting into her 12-year-old daughter’s clothes.
Now 42, Chantelle admitted that her extreme dieting left her in excruciating pain and completely drained of energy. Concerns from her loved ones grew as they witnessed her physical decline, with her brother expressing that she appeared as if she were wasting away.
In a recent interview, the former reality TV star shared how social media trolls would cruelly comment that she looked like she was using drugs, exacerbating her mental and physical anguish.
“I was constantly fatigued, waking up in agony every day,” Chantelle recounted. “My body felt like it was breaking down, and I was too weak to even take my dog for a proper walk.”
Speaking with The Sun, she confessed, “I was depriving myself of nourishment, slowly harming myself by not eating; essentially starving to death.” The harsh judgments and accusations of drug use from others made her question her own mortality, leading her to wonder if she was inadvertently causing her demise.
Struggling with body dysmorphia for over twenty years and battling bulimia in the past, Chantelle mentioned a moment of joy when she managed to fit into her daughter’s clothing. However, she eventually realized the severity of her disordered eating habits and the underlying issues she was avoiding.
In 2024, during a relocation, Chantelle decided to turn her life around, motivated by the well-being of her 14-year-old daughter. Research by King’s College London highlights the barriers individuals face in seeking help for eating disorders, including internalized shame and limited service provisions based on certain criteria.
For support related to eating disorders, individuals can reach out to the SEED eating disorder support service. Chantelle’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental and physical health concerns, even amidst personal challenges and societal pressures.