If there’s one thing fans of Riverdale are forever grateful for, it’s the amazing cast of actors who have burst onto the scene thanks to their roles on the show. And now, our dear Veronica Lodge, played by the fabulous Camila Mendes, is bravely opening up about living with an eating disorder and how hard she’s worked to now be in a healthier place.

Speaking to Shape, the 24-year-old got candid about how she would binge and purge. She was letting her fixation on food and how she looked really affect her.

“I’ve struggled with bulimia. It happened a little bit in high school and again when I was in college. Then it came back when I started working in this industry with fittings all the time and watching myself on camera. I had such an emotional relationship with food and anxiety about everything I put into my body,” Camila said. “If I ate a sweet, I would be like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not going to eat for five hours now.’ I was always punishing myself. I was even anxious about healthy food. I was consumed with the details of what I was eating, and I always felt as if I was doing something wrong.”

But then she came to the realization that she needed help and Camila found a therapist and a nutritionist who helped change her outlook and her life.

“About a year ago, I got to a point when I realized I needed to see someone. So I went to a therapist, and she recommended a nutritionist as well, and seeing both of them changed my life,” Camila said. “So much of the anxiety I had about food went away when I started learning more about nutrition. She also cured my addiction to dieting. I was always on some kind of weird diet, but I haven’t been on one since. I’m very proud of myself.”

That is totally something she should be proud of! Dealing with her battle with bulimia is something that isn’t easy and she will always be working on but now, she’s doing better than she ever has. The actress went on to say that although she is doing much better, she still struggles with moments of being overly critical of herself. She just has to remind herself that she is beautiful, just the way she is.

“The voices in my head never completely go away. They’re just way quieter now. Every once in a while I’ll look at myself in the mirror and think, ‘Ugh, I don’t like the way that looks.’ But then I’ll just drop it. I don’t let it consume me,” she said. “I think it’s natural to judge or be critical of yourself. Everyone does it. But you can make the decision on the spot that you’re going to conquer it. In those moments I’ll look at myself and say, ‘You’re fine. You look good. This is your prime, so enjoy it.'”

Now that’s the right attitude to have! Bravo, Cami.

If you or someone you know needs with, please contact that National Eating Disorders Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

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