If you previously had a problem with it, what did you do to stop compulsive eating?

[OldFan]

Just that really. I've tried therapy a couple of times (hypnotherapy and then normal talking therapy; also some sessions with the local ED team) but it did nothing to help. I compulsively will buy takeaway cookie dough, or treats from the shop. Doesn't even matter if I know it'll take me overdrawn, I still do it.

I'm not overweight but currently not as slim as I would like.

Hope you can help- any ideas?

ADHD meds.

Sounds ridiculous, I didn't realise my binge eating was a direct symptom of my ADHD. I got my diagnosis, I started meds, and it literally stopped overnight.

One year on, no more binging. I eat normally. I'm no longer chasing a dopamine hit from food constantly, or using food to meet a sensory need.

Life changing.

As you can see from my username I'm the same, I've also had therapy and hypnosis.

I'm absolutely convinced I've got adhd, I have so many symptoms. You are so right it's about chasing a dopamine hit.

Getting pregnant

Have you tried intuitive eating?

You need to understand why.

It's compulsive yes but why? Why cookie dough and not something else, why on that specific day, what is the deeper reason?

I understood for me it was stress and emotional eating as well as a result of restricting.

Once I allowed myself to buy a cupboard full of treats and stopped restricting I've been fine. It took some time though, I've built healthy habits - I only eat at the table without distractions. I can eat whatever I want, even if it is 5 KitKat's, but funnily enough when you're being mindful you rarely want it or feel deprived.

Tentative answer - it’s only been a few months. I started taking the probiotic Aflorax (for other reasons). I swear it’s regulated my hunger pangs/ cravings and helped me to lose weight. I’m starting to research into probiotics and weight regulation.

Interesting you say that. I tried ADHD meds but as I have bipolar I ended up in hospital as I shouldn'tve been prescribed them. I think I have some traits but not full ADHD.

@BeretRaspberry I wouldn't trust myself to have the foods I overeat in the house. A lot of the IE stuff I've seen seems to rely on you just dishing yourself out a couple of cookies and just assumes you can say no and leave the rest. I would tend to polish them off the same night if they're there.

One thing I think does help a bit is incorporating more healthy fats into my diet (I saw a nutritionist for that suggestion and I think it did help. I was a teenager in the 90s and of course every weight loss programme was low fat, we thought fat was evil etc.)

It's compulsive yes but why? Why cookie dough and not something else, why on that specific day, what is the deeper reason?

@Miajk It tastes nice. I used to be into pizza instead etc. I don't think it's usually/always comfort or emotional eating, I just enjoy the taste.

Sometimes I feel like a robot when I go to the corner shop to get junk. It feels like I'm not 100% in control of my limbs.

It might be time for me to try giving having all the stuff in and not restricting a go.

I should definitely eat somewhere without distractions so I can fully enjoy the food/hear inner cues etc.

@TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake Ooh interesting, might give it a go.

Following as I have a chocolate binge eating problem. I try not to buy it as I cannot portion control and will eat it all in one go. But then I will pop to the shop and buy a bar anyway.

Considering hypnotherapy.

@RunningFromInsanity As a PP said, I tried hypnotherapy and it didn't do anything for me. You could try adding more healthy fats in your diet so your body maybe doesn't crave high calorie foods as much.

I haven't done that today because I was trying to be on a cut/diet. Then had loads of cookie dough on the evening 'lol'

Google: “probiotics to stop bing eating”

I had a chocolate binge -eating problem. I’ve had some therapy but not it didn’t work out the way i hoped it would. I managed to replace the chocolate with cherry tomatoes. Still
binge eating but much less calories.
I am to lazy to go out and buy stuff, so thats makes it easier, i just have to make sure there are enough tomatoes in the house.

The therapy was all about discovering what the real need was behind the binge-eating. And reprogram yourself to do something different than eating that satisfies your needs. Like have a hot bath or phone a friend or have an early night.

Placemarking in the hope you find an answer.

Im exactly the same !

A game changer for me was mechanical eating.

Learning to recognise hunger cues. I started eating 3 structured meals a day - no restriction on what. If lunch I wanted chocolate I could have it, just made sure to add fruit and protein.

This helped me learn moderation with treats but never feel deprived as I ate them all the time. Psychologically it's equally satisfying to have a colorful plate of fruit with some chocolate and yogurt as it is to just have chocolate, and you feel way better.

Plate by plate approach / adding not restricting certainly helped me. I could never keep stuff in the house before, ever. Now I have ice cream, cookies, crisps, everything - and it doesn't bother me at all.

@Miajk Awesome. Could you link me to some info you relied on for the Plate by Plate approach?

@TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake Which aflorax do you use? I’ve tried probiotics before but never know which one to buy.

Read 'Brain Over Binge' - very interesting, she basically says the urge to eat compulsively like that is a learned habit and you can learn to override it. Your brain has learned that it's a behavior it needs to do to survive, hence the urge is incredibly strong and you can feel like you're doing it on autopilot and have no strength to resist it.

The idea is that you realise the urges are just a primeval, animal instinct and actually your rational brain can learn to ignore them.

I spelt it wrong. It was these: https://www.boots.com/alflorex-precisonbiotics-capsuls-30-capsules-10223325

Got them for IBS, but then started to notice a difference in bloating (expected), then cravings and eating patterns (stopping after a couple of biscuits instead of eating a whole packet etc.

Taking a multivitamin and vitamin D stopped 90% of the urge.

The other thing I will say is I have found it hugely helpful to ALLOW all foods - because if you mentally forbid anything specific, it adds an extra level of craving.

IE... I used to frequently eat an entire tub of Haagen Dazs ice cream in a binge session, but these days I honestly wouldn't choose to eat ice cream at all. Every now and then I buy it out of habit, because a small part of my brain sees it and goes "ooh I remember that used to be a real treat" - I have a bowlful and it's meh, and then the rest of the tub sits in the freezer until I throw it away 🤣

Ditto Nutella, used to compulsively eat it out of the jar and now I just don't. Still like it and have it occasionally in a sandwich or on toast, but don't feel compelled to shovel it until my face because I can have it any time I like.

*into not until 🙄

Following for advice. I could have written this word for word, OP. I am exactly the same in my compulsive eating.
It’s interesting some posters are mentioning ADHD. I’ve suspected for a while now that I have ADHD or am possibly autistic, but haven’t yet sought diagnosis. I have had a terrible relationship with food my whole life.
I too feel I am not in control when the binge happens, like I switch off and am on auto pilot. I’m left with this horrible feeling of over-fullness and regret after.
Since having my daughter 9 months ago I’ve been trying to get my weight / eating to somewhere I feel comfortable and healthy, but I lose control so easily and it really frustrates me.

@TwoCoffeesandAMilkshake

Interested in those probiotics... What made you choose that one with just one particular type ("35624, a Bifidobacterium longum culture") instead of one of the usual probiotics that have a number of different strains?? Is there a benefit?