Is this an appropriate amount of food?

[Herja]

First off, I have issues with binge eating then restricting/purging when I gain weight. I have done this since age 13 and I feel I have lost sight of what a reasonable amount of food (both generally and for dieting) looks like.

After putting on weight through binging recently, I am finally trying to get on top of this and loose weight without doing it stupidly. I'm not sure how much I've put on as I chucked the scales away, but my small trousers are feeling tight.

I'm trying to eat roughly what I feed the kids but smaller amounts and more vegetables as I traditionally have vegetable soup, complan or chocolate and nothing when loosing weight.

Today I have eaten:

• 2 hobnobs
  
• 1 slice of cheese on toast (not much cheese) a tomato, 2 carrots, handful of strawberries and half an apple.
  
• quater of a standard frozen pepperoni pizza, a beetroot, 2 carrots, 3 table spoons of green bean salad (made with green beans, garlic and olive oil), 2 slices of honeydew melon and some more strawberries.
  
• 3 coffees with milk a lot of water.
  

Is this the right amount of food? I honestly don't have a clue anymore.

[AdaArdor]

Do you think it might be wise to get some help for the cycle youre in of binging/purging?

I would recommend you download MyFitnessPal, update with your current height and weight and JUST FOR A MONTH set it to maintain current weight. Start logging everything and see where you stack up; are you eating enough, too little, too much? Try reading up on nutrients and educating yourself on the nutritional value of food, not its emotional qualities.

Not knowing your height or weight I don't know if that's enough or too much. It doesn't sound like a lot. The pizza could be replaced with a bigger salad with some quinoa or small handful of pasta (like a pasta salad) to fill you up more. You're allowed two biscuits, that's fine But there's not much protein in there? Maybe you need to add some lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish) or tofu and pulses if you prefer veggie stuff. Protein is very filling and builds muscle so will make you stronger.

I think if you focus less on worrying about your food, and use that time to read an article a day on nutrition, you could crack this on your own. Easier said than done I know. But don't feel bad if you feel you could use some help - we all do sometimes!

If you crack it, you could use MFP to help you lose a bit or gain a bit, depending on your needs, working towards a healthy weight and a controlled, healthy but enjoyable lifestyle where you are not constantly guilty or starving. But your point is that you've lost sight of what normal looks like: so a month not trying to achieve anything other than educating yourself could be really beneficial. A month gaining a few pounds while you recalibrate your mindset and awareness will not be a big deal in the long run, and you'll lose it easily I'm sure when the time comes to set some goals

HTH, and good luck!

[Herja]

A month of stable weight would be ok, I don't think I can cope with putting on anymore though, putting on weight exacerbates other mental health issues. I'm not sure of weight, I expect around 11 stone. I'm 5 foot 10ish.

I have mentioned the binge/restrict/purge to the gp and a psychiatrist, but they're not too fussed because I'm beither fat nor thin. I think I can slowly retrain myself, I just need to work out normal!

I know the food is a bit shit. It's what the children will also eat though. If I make seperate food for me, I start getting odd with it. I just can't tell if it's too much or too little.

Thank you for replying.

[AdaArdor]

Well at 5"10' and 11 stone you are a perfectly healthy weight (I would know, I weigh the same and am 5"8'! )

Definitely doesn't sound enough to me. Based on your height and weight, you should be maintaining on around 1600 depending on your general activity level. I'd be amazed if the food you listed passed 1000. No female, regardless of size or weight loss needs, should go below 1200 a day.

Just buy some chicken/fish/other lean meats to grill/bake alongside your kids food as a first step. Maybe a fruit and veg smoothie for breakfast? You need that nourishment; your mental health won't be improved by being hungry.

I'm sorry your team aren't too interested in this. Maybe some self-help books out there?

I think MFP is your best first step If you want help getting used to it, just ask - I've been using about 2 months now and really love it (can you tell??)

[Babybearsporij]

It's probably an ok amount of calories, but you could make better food choices.

I get that you need to fix your relationship with food though first. I'm a long "recovered" anorexic and it's so easy just to occasionally slip back to it. I hate that medics don't seem to take it seriously unless you're underweight!

[TheIsland]

Get a psychotherapist. (Or talk to them if you have one already). It will make a really big difference.

[Peacefulbanana]

biscuits, bread and more bread with pizza.
agreed with pp that its the nutrition side that you need to look into.if the kids are eating that they too will develop unhealthy waiting habits.

enough would look more like
Palm sized potion of protein, two handfuls of veg and maybe a handful of sweet potato / lentils / other pulses (mix the types up for lunches and dinner)

breakfast lose the bread and have 3 egg omelette with mushrooms / spinach
or 3 eggs and 1/2 avocado
or little pack of oats with some berries and made with almond milk

1 fruit or nut snack mid afternoon
personal fave is sliced banana with a teaspoon of peanut butter