Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in January 2019.

A young woman from the UK has shared an extraordinary story of overcoming life-threatening anorexia, attributing her recovery to an unexpected source—chocolate.

Annie Windley, a 21-year-old from Derbyshire, East Midlands, fought a severe battle with anorexia that saw her weight plummet to a dangerously low 29kg (4.5 stone). For five long years, she survived on a minimal diet consisting of just one piece of toast with jam a day. The disorder left her hospitalized five times and brought her to the brink of death. Yet, it was a single Lindt Lindor chocolate that sparked her path to recovery.

In a heartfelt interview, Annie revealed how she came to terms with her eating disorder after indulging in a chocolate treat one evening. She had been craving it, and to her surprise, eating the piece of chocolate didn’t lead to weight gain. This realization—paired with the absence of the feared consequences—slowly chipped away at her deep-rooted anxieties around food. Over time, she found the courage to start eating normally again, leading to a healthier weight of 45kg (7 stone).

Annie’s struggle with anorexia began at the age of 15 when she became obsessed with counting calories and avoiding foods like carbohydrates, meat, and dairy. The fear of gaining weight consumed her, and she couldn’t even be near a plate of food without feeling intense anxiety. She vividly remembers how simply being near lasagne would cause her to shake and panic. As the disorder took hold, Annie’s health deteriorated, and she was even at risk of heart failure due to malnutrition.

Annie’s life started to spiral when she attended Monkton Combe boarding school, where she faced bullying for her weight loss. Her obsession with dieting worsened, and her performance in school suffered. She was pulled from sports teams, monitored closely by school nurses, and gradually withdrew from social activities. At home, her difficult relationship with her parents further fueled her destructive behavior, leaving her focused solely on controlling her weight.

Despite her struggles, Annie eventually found the strength to fight back. After moving back to Derbyshire, she received support from her uncle, who helped her tackle her fear of gaining weight. In 2017, she began exercising again and introduced balanced meals into her diet. She now follows a healthy eating plan that includes crumpets for breakfast, smashed avocado on toast, poached eggs, and salmon for lunch and dinner, with protein bars as snacks.

Although Annie’s journey to recovery has been challenging, she now reflects on the progress she’s made. She regrets not reaching out for help earlier, acknowledging that her battle with anorexia has caused her to miss important opportunities, such as furthering her education. “I wish I could tell my younger self to stop,” she shared. “I’ve missed out on so much.”

Today, Annie is in a much healthier place, surrounded by new friends and supported by a loving boyfriend. Yet, she stresses that eating disorders aren’t about attention-seeking; they’re a complex mental health battle that’s often hard for others to understand. As she continues to heal, Annie hopes her story will inspire others to seek help before it’s too late.