'Real Housewives of New Jersey': Jackie applauded for opening up about her battle with eating disorder
'Real Housewives of New Jersey' housewife Jackie Goldschneider has always been vocal about her struggles with an eating disorder, but on the latest episode, we saw it in a whole new light. In the previous episode, we saw Jackie lose her cool at her fellow housewife/ friend Margaret Josephs for insinuating that she does not eat any food. That statement hurt Jackie so much that she opened to Margaret about her harrowing experience with an eating disorder.
Jackie starts off by trying to correct Margaret’s misconception that she doesn't eat anything. Jackie explains to her and Melissa Gorga that she has worked hard to get to a place where she can eat without feel terrible about it. Then she gives an example of her father to drive home the point of how people even your closest ones don't understand what it is like living with eating disorders.
She recollects an incident where her father and she were watching a videotape of her going to her junior prom, and she was a bit on the heavier side in the video. Her father looks at it and tells her that Jackie is an inspiration for many girls to lose weight. This statement hurts the housewife, who then tries to explain to her father that she almost died trying to lose weight.
She then goes on to reveal the exact moment when she decided to get help because she feared that she may die. The attorney housewife reveals that when on a vacation with her husband Evan, she just ate canned tuna and apple throughout, and when she got back home and stepped on the weighing scale, she almost weighed nothing, and that is when she feared she may die and decided to get help. After years of therapy, Jackie claims that she is in a place where she can eat food without feeling terrible.
Jackie's emotional story struck a chord with many fans, who were in awe of her being so raw and open about her struggles.
A fan tweeted, "I applaud Jackie for getting herself the help she needed and by also being so transparent about her eating disorder. #RHONJ." Another fan wrote, "People don’t understand that an eating disorder doesn't go away. It's a pattern that's incredibly tough to break. I admire Jackie for admitting how much she struggles with it. #rhonj."
"Watching @JGSchneid talk about her eating disorder is really hitting home for me. I was there just a short two years ago. I still get worried about how much I eat. Especially in front of other people. Thank you for speaking your truth Jackie #RHONJ," wrote another emotional fan.
Another fan commented, "Notice where the meaningful, significant discussion took place vs. where the vapid, brain-dead chatter happened. We already see Right Couch and Left Couch. Props to Jackie for opening up and being real, speaking of IMPORTANT issues, such as her eating disorder, not easy. #RHONJ."
"That story from Jackie was touching and I’m glad the snide insinuations about her eating habits was leading up to something and not just speculation for a storyline. Thank you for sharing @JGSchneid. #rhonj," pointed out a fan. Another shared, "Jackie is so open and honest about her eating disorder. I hope the group understands how serious it is to her now. #RHONJ."
You can catch all new episodes of 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Season 10 every Wednesday at 8pm on Bravo.