What is the core characteristic differentiating a restrictive eating pattern from normal eating consistency?
Answer
Cyclical behaviors of intense limitation followed by overeating
A restrictive eating pattern is defined by a cycle where periods of intense food limitation or severe dieting rules are inevitably followed by episodes of compensatory overeating. This pattern is frequently driven by the moral assignment of 'good' versus 'bad' labels to specific foods, leading to guilt and eventual surrender to cravings. Normal eating contrasts sharply with this by embracing consistency and moderation across all foods without moralizing them, understanding that no single meal dictates overall health, thus avoiding the disruptive cycle inherent in restriction.

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