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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is this too much?

72 replies

user1497545304 · 02/12/2018 19:07

Sorry, posting here for traffic

But here's the rundown: I'm 35, and I literally cannot stop eating, I'm always hungry. I realised the other day after spending 2 weeks with my friend and her family in France that well... I eat a ridiculous amount more than they do. I've also realised that I don't really know what a 'normal' intake is... (My bmi is just about in the healthy range... I could definitely lose some)

Here's yesterday, a fairly typical day (sometimes it's more though, especially if I night binge)

7am before work: 2 cups of tea (semi skimmed) 2 pieces of toast with butter and an apple

9am once at work: hot cross bun and a cereal bar

11am ish, hungry again: mars bar and cup of tea

Lunch break: foot long subway melt , subway cookie and banana

3pm, home from work: bowl of cornflakes with semi skimmed, 2 muller lights, cup of tea

5pm starving so made quick dinner of pasta, tomato sauce, a bit of frozen veg, and I won't lie lots of cheese
About 4 or so choc digestives for dessert plus another cuppa

7pm: bag of salt and vinegar crisps

About 9ish? Hungry as usual so had peanut butter sandwich

11 or so, straight before bed: handful of peanut m&ms

Please try not to judge, I'm well aware my diet is shite. But I just want your honest opinion? If you have a healthy relationship with food, what's a typical day of eating for you? Or what's a 'normal' ish intake? I'm dying to know!

OP posts:

TitsalinaBumSquash · 02/12/2018 20:53

It's the carbs, when I eat a high carb diet I can easily eat non stop, bread and bread and toast and then bread all day. When I consciously eat a lot less carbs I can go for days without feeling hungry and forget to eat, there's no happy medium for me.

Waterlemon · 02/12/2018 20:58

I have similar days!

I have been reading Paul McKenna “I can make you thin”. I’m undecided about the effectiveness of the audio, but I have find the actual book really interesting and useful.

There are a few basic principles that he recommends
Eat consciously - sit down, chew one mouthful at a time (I find this surprisingly difficult)
Only eat when you are hungry (again difficult but the book explains how to recognise the signs)
Never clear your plate - this is the hardest thing for me!
Last one is only eat food that you really want/enjoy and savour every morseL.

Sounds simple, but easier said than done

TowerRavenSeven · 02/12/2018 21:04

Yes it really is a lot. I have a good appetite and this is at least double if not more than I eat in a day. I am 5' 4" and weigh 135 and need to lose 5 lbs to be healthier and 10 lbs to get to where I'd really like to be.

Aus84 · 02/12/2018 21:10

Capri unrealistic? This is just normal, easy to obtain and easy to make food!! 80% of the people I know eat like this on a daily basis. A small percent eat way healthier and an even smaller percent eat like the OP.

Caprisunorange · 02/12/2018 21:14

I doubt that. Women tend to lie about their diets quite a bit. But even so, it’s irrelevant what people you know eat like. OP hasn’t clearly set out how she wants

Caprisunorange · 02/12/2018 21:14

I doubt that. Women tend to lie about their diets quite a bit. But even so, it’s irrelevant what people you know eat like. OP has clearly set out how she eats

Talith · 02/12/2018 21:16

Protein is what's needed. It'll fill you up and keep you going for longer. I notice in a lot of these posts it's cereal bars or slices of toast eeked out. Just have a big fat steak and you won't be peckish two hours later.

Original poster

user1497545304 · 02/12/2018 21:21

Wow thanks for all the replies!

I've always had a really fast metabolism but to the person asking if my weight is stable... No it's gone up quite a bit recently , even though I'm still in healthy range, which is part of the reason why I was asking.

I'm out to make some diet changes starting tomorrow! I do think I eat partly out of boredom or because I think I should 'oh I haven't eaten since lunch better have something' even when I'm not hungry
Also never thought about thyroid issues, may get that checked out.

Thank you for all the replies ! I needed to be told straight, keep them coming :)

OP posts:

Toptheginup · 02/12/2018 21:26

Sorry, not read the whole tread, just your original post. I have the same issue and your diet is very like mine, plus I can binge a lot. I've piled weight on but I blame sugar addiction and carb addiction. I've stopped eating cereal as I was in a never ending cycle of filling my bowl back up if there was milk left in the bottom. Plus cereal bars etc. The whole thing has had me on rock bottom for about a year, with a total loss of self control and self loathing. I've bought countless books, tried following inspirational threads on here etc all to no avail. But, I have actually started to really look into binge eating disorder and I read something yesterday about being consciously aware when you are about to eat (yet another cake) if you are stomach hungry or just mouth hungry. I may have that wrong because I got distracted whilst reading and not had the opportunity to continue the reading but plan to tonight. But yesterday I actually did think to myself am I hungry? No, so I put the cereal bar back. Maybe look into it, do some digging. Other than that, see a doctor because a lit of the time I think the binging is a psychological avoidance tactic, well it is for me.

madmum5811 · 02/12/2018 21:27

I have had flu with a respiratory infection thrown in for good measure for two weeks. Now I have eaten little, mostly tinned soup, toast, digestive biscuits, drunk water, tea. I put on so much weight could hardly do my trousers up. My normal eating is high protein fish, chicken, seafood, eggs, low carb, lots of veg, fruit, So although I ate less I put on weight with this illness.

SallyWD · 02/12/2018 21:28

Honestly if you cut out the sugar, reduced carbs and ate more protein, vegetables and healthy fats you wouldn't be starving all the time. Sometimes I eat like you(rarely though) and I'm ravenous all day because I keep getting sugar crashes and I'm not getting the right nutrients. If I eat protein rich food and lots of healthy veg I feel very satisfied and have no desire to overeat.

Toptheginup · 02/12/2018 21:29

Im also a boredom eater and have given up smoking. A diet made me binge more so be careful with that. I'm looking for professional guidance about binge eating disorder online, this could be my turning point, fingers crossed for us both

Milly848 · 02/12/2018 21:45

What clothes size are you? Just out of interest

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 02/12/2018 21:56

I find if I have toast or cereal for breakfast I'm starving and it lasts all day. If I have protein like full fat yoghurt with fruit and nuts or omelette with veg I am not hungry til lunchtime and then lunch fills me up a lot more. Might be worth a try

Knittink · 02/12/2018 22:16

It's the sugar and lack of nutritious, filling food that's making you hungry. Your blood sugar must be lurching up and down like mad. If I eat a sugary breakfast I am starving an hour and a half later. If I have something sensible (or even nothing at all) for breakfast, I'm fine until lunch.

Bungleinthejungle · 03/12/2018 08:13

I find bad carbs to be addictive (sugary snacks, chocolate etc) so I need to go cold turkey for a while. Any chance you could cut them out completely for a couple of weeks. That would include cereal bars etc which are full of sugar too.

Also, are you sleeping well. I find that when I haven't slept brilliantly I crave carbs.

Finally, do you enjoy your job? If you're that bored that you need to snack so much, maybe you need to find something more interesting/challenging/enjoyable.

Good luck. It's important to recognise when you're on an unhealthy path. My wake up call is when I can't fit into particular clothes. I refuse to go up a dress size!

IHeartKingThistle · 03/12/2018 08:16

You need protein.

Chamomileteaplease · 03/12/2018 09:53

I can't believe how many carbs you are eating! That is where you are going wrong. You aren't giving your body enough nutrition so it keeps asking for more, hoping you will give it some and you never do.

Was there any healthy protein at all in that list? I don't think so.

Eggs for breakfast, with mushrooms, kippers, that sort of thing.

Make a packed lunch - make it protein heavy. Take your own snacks - not mars bars! Even bananas are packed with sugar.

Never eat bread! etc etc . best of luck!

Original poster

user1497545304 · 03/12/2018 12:27

12 but I'm quite short x

OP posts:

Racecardriver · 03/12/2018 12:36

That’s a lot of carbs. You need to up protein and fruit/veg so that you stay fuller for longer.

TweedAddict · 03/12/2018 12:39

How old are you? I used to eat like you 2-3 years ago- late 20’s I was in the mind set I could lose a little bit of weight but it’s a issue.

Im now in my 30’s and my weight has rocketed! I’m now having to learn to change my eating habits, have to work out, and it’s so hard changing your lifestyle so much. If I could go back and stop some the habits I had years ago I would be in much better place now.

AnneTwackie · 03/12/2018 12:39

Another vote for free app my fitness pal- makes it so so easy

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