Is this binge eating?

[Wiggleyfingers]

I need help. I've struggled with eating for the past 10 years. I know I have a sugar addiction, but do I also have binge eating disorder? Examples: Yesterday I ate through a whole box of chocolate fingers and today, 4 big chocolate chip muffins. I'm questioning it because it's not all in one sitting, I pick throughout the day but can't help myself?! I have no control! I also worry because I start the day with good intentions but then go out on my lunch break and buy all the junk food.
I need to break this cycle as I'm feeling awful Any suggestions on how to overcome this would be so welcome. In an ideal world I'd like therapy for my previous eating disorder but I can't justify the cost right now.
Thanks in advance.

[Alargeoneplease89]

Is it possible not to buy the food? I know most people have children and it makes it harder to control being around it etc. But if that's not your situation you are best not having temptation in the house/ buying it in your lunch break- take your lunch in with you.

I would say it's binge eating because it's not normal to eat that in a day plus by the sounds of it- you have to eat it that day.

I think limiting your temptation will get you out of the cycle and when sugar cravings come look at other ways to trick your brain (exercise, crafts, sleep, anything to keep your brain distracted/hands busy)

[Mwnci123]

I used to eat like that all the time and what helped me was to try to see it as a problem with the food rather than me. Basically, the stuff you can't stop eating is intended to have that effect on you. That's what it is. The best thing to do in my experience is to have a clean break from eating that sort of thing, but without putting yourself on a calorie restricted diet. Basically replace shop bought cake with nuts and fruit or cheese or whatever for a bit.

[Wiggleyfingers]

Thank you, that does help and I know it should be as easy as not buying it. Unfortunately, in highly emotional states I use it like a crutch and will reach for anything to make me feel better in that moment. I stop caring about the after effects and look for a quick fix.

[toomanyleggings]

As a binge eater I would call that a bit of a bad day, not a binge. My last binge consisted of two cheese toasties a share bag of crisps with half a pot of sour cream dip, and half a cheesecake and two bars of chocolate.

[greenspaces4peace]

avoid buying it if possible, if you have to buy them buy a variety or brand you don't crave/enjoy so much.
divide the muffin in four and only have the one muffin.
do focus on the fact the food's been manipulated and engineered to trick your brain into wanting more.
brush your teeth and gargle it does take the desire away.
switch to fruit, cantaloup is relatively low calorie and full of vitamin c.

[FinallyHere]

I've have found it helpful to accept my body the way it is. As they say, to start from where I am, which is that I am

Just not capable of eating the things you describe in moderation.

What this means is that I just don't eat sugar, in the widest sense, including beige carbs. Sugar, bread, jam, cakes, potatoes, rice, crackers

Had a good few days of transition while my break screamed for the sugar rush, then it just settled down. I eat my fill of leafy green veg, salad stuff plus good quality esp fatty meat. Butter, creme and cheese but not milk.

This kind of 'real' food just doesn't tempt me to overeat in the way that manufactured food does.

Avoiding the crap food is worth if for me, to avoid the sugar roller coaster. Do I miss the sugar rush? Yes, of course but I prefer to not let that demon out of the box again.

My life is so.much.better when I eat to keep my body on an even keel and my blood sugar stable. I even paid for and used a continuous glucose monitor for a fortnight to check that I wasn't making it up. It measured my blood sugar for a fortnight when it stayed stage around 7mmol. A year later I did the same test to find that it had dropped to stave around 5mmol

Hope you find what works for you.

[FinallyHere]

Oh and drink heaps of water.