Alanis Morissette sat down and gave a revealing interview to Health Magazine. She shares her struggles through eating disorders and her journey to become a healthy, happy person.

“As a teen, I was both anorexic and bulimic,” “I was a young woman in the public eye, on the receiving end of a lot of attention, and I was trying to protect myself from men who were using their power in ways I was too young to know how to handle. Disappointment, sadness and pain hit me hard, and I tried to numb those feelings through my relationship with food. For four to six months at a time, I would barely eat. I lived on a diet of Melba toast, carrots, and black coffee,” “I began recovering at 18, when a sweet friend confronted me,”

Can you imagine just having those three things for 4-6 months at a crack?

She shares that Woody Harrelson taught her the secret to great skin:

“I rarely eat dairy. I’ll never forget my friend Woody Harrelson telling me I needed to get rid of the dairy in my fridge to clear up my skin. He was right. My skin looks great now.”

She shares one of her "aha" moments:

“A few years ago, I discovered a book called Eat to Live by nutrition expert Joel Fuhrman, MD. It’s become my bible,

Even though she eats very healthy now, she still insists we all need to indulge a little.

“Don’t get me wrong. I still indulge in a glass of wine or chocolate—treats are mandatory. Without deviating from the day-to-day healthy diet once in a while, it wouldn’t be sustainable for me, …I love snacking on popcorn with balsamic vinegar, vegan butter, and all kinds of spices.”

On staying fit and wanting others to know they aren't alone:

“I’m older now, and I won’t starve myself. Eating the right way has become a sort of spiritual practice for me. And sticking to a healthy diet definitely gave me the strength I needed to do the rigorous training required for a marathon — as well as the excruciating final stretch… I hope my effort shows any woman battling an eating disorder or poor body image that she’s not alone—support is out there—and inspires her to discover her inner athlete. It doesn’t matter what your fitness-skill level is.”

She feels like a "new" Alanis:

“I’m really clear about what my life mission is now. There’s no more depression or lethargy, and I feel like I’ve returned to the athlete I once was.”

Wow, she's very inspirational. Thankfully she came through those eating disorders and really turned her health around. Good for her! Anyone catch her on 'Weeds' ? I absolutely loved her character as the doctor on that show.

You can read more in the December issue, on newsstands November 24th.

Photos by WENN and INF