Common Myths That Can Increase Eating Disorder Risk in Sport
Sporting culture is full of unspoken rules and “myths” that many athletes believe to be true. While these beliefs often come from coaches, teammates, or sporting traditions, they can quietly fuel stress, under-fuelling, and even contribute to Disordered Eating or an Eating Disorder.
As a Psychologist who works with athletes, I frequently see how these thinking patterns are mistaken for discipline, when in reality they may be harming both performance and wellbeing.
Myth 1: “I must be perfect with my food and training.”
This all-or-nothing mindset creates unnecessary pressure and guilt. One missed session or one unexpected meal does not undo progress. But believing this myth can lead to rigid routines, stress about food, and the development of Eating Disorder symptoms.
Reality: High performance comes from consistency, flexibility, and adequate fuelling, not perfection.
Myth 2: “Pushing harder is always better.”
Many athletes believe pushing through fatigue, pain, or hunger is a sign of true commitment. This mindset can mask early signs of burnout, RED-S, and emotional distress.
Reality: Rest, recovery, and listening to your body are essential components of high-quality training, not weaknesses.
Myth 3: “If my routine changes, my performance will suffer.”
This catastrophising myth creates panic when plans shift: a missed meal, a delayed session, a change in schedule. Athletes who believe this often feel out of control or anxious.
Reality: Performance is built over time. Adaptability is a strength, not a threat.
Myth 4: “Food is either good or bad, and so am I based on what I eat.”
Moralising food is one of the most common early signs of disordered eating. Athletes may label themselves as “good” or “bad” depending on what they eat, which increases guilt and shame.
Reality: Food does not determine your worth. Balanced, flexible eating supports both performance and mental health.
Myth 5: “Everyone else is doing more than me, so I should train harder or eat less.”
Comparison thinking is amplified in sport—between teammates, competitors, and what appears online. This myth drives over-training, restriction, and body dissatisfaction.
Reality: Your training and fuelling needs are individual. Comparison rarely leads to healthy performance behaviors.
Myth 6: “I need to constantly track and monitor everything to stay in control.”
Weight checks, calorie tracking, macro counting, body checking, athletes may believe these behaviours improve discipline and precision.
Reality: Excessive monitoring increases anxiety, decreases trust in internal cues, and is strongly associated with Eating Disorder development in athletes.
Myth 7: “I have to earn my food through training.”
This belief leads to harmful cycles of restriction and compensation:
“I didn’t train enough today, so I shouldn’t eat much.”
“I need to burn this off later.”
Reality: Food is fuel, never a reward or something you must “pay back.”
Myth 8: “My value comes from my performance or my body.”
Athletes may believe their worth is tied to success, shape, or weight. This myth creates intense pressure and increases the likelihood of using food or training as a form of control.
Reality: Identity is bigger than sport. When self-worth is balanced, performance improves, not declines.
Why These Myths Matter
These myths may seem small, but they shape how athletes treat themselves, fuel their bodies, and impact overall performance. When left unchallenged, they significantly increase the risk of an Eating Disorder and can harm long-term performance.
Working with a Psychologist can help athletes:
- Challenge rigid or unhelpful thinking patterns
- Build a healthier, flexible approach to food and training
- Reduce anxiety and guilt
- Strengthen identity beyond performance
- Protect both mental and physical health
