Bingeing - palpitations

[Ahumanjellyfish]

I have started hrt. I’m very embarrassed to say I’ve also started bingeing with carbs int he afternoon (I know, not clever but to alleviate stress).

I’ve started getting palpitations at night around 2am, these wake me up from my slumber.

it’s correlated with the increased binged but I also wonder if connected to the hrt/menopause?

any one else experience this? Don’t really want to see the gp! As this is likely self inflicted but a tough habit to crack.

Oat milk is best for the environment. Almond milk is a disaster for the environment.

Eating no carb is not healthy.

I can't agree - as I have prediabetes and eating no carb is definitely healthy for me. The cultures that just eat protein and fats ie laplanders seem to have survived for quite a few generations... Human beings are very adaptable, and carbs are not necessary to sustain the body.

@WarriorN you can get all types of milk unsweetened too. But if you go to Costa etc, they always have the sweetened sort.

The no carb thing is very dependent on body type in my opinion.

I can't do no carb. I also appear to respond well to porridge. Cut the honey out a number of years ago, plain tofu and frozen fruit.

It has beta gluten in it which is good for cholesterol and as it's v gloopy can fill you up for longer than some others.

But everyone is different - that what Tim Spectre has looked at.

Generally anything with a low glycemic index is good for controlling blood sugar.

Not tofu ... yogurt!

Spectre He's become a James Bond villain ! 😂

incorrect.

Carbs are needed for the metabolism of many things including vitamins.

My very elderly mum has prediabetes, but together with me helping her, she's managed to lower her BG so it's almost normal by reducing carbs, and eating only wholegrain. Two small portions a day, one of which is porridge.

You can't compare other groups of people to the UK as they have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to exist on what is available in their region.

You can't just remove carbs from a western diet and expect the same outcome as people living off seal meat.

Interesting- thanks for that.

We are indeed all different.

I never knew that carbs help to metabolise vitamins!! Extraordinary- would love to know more about that.

I get this too. Try to binge on things that ‘feel’ like carbs but are actually protein. Things I love are:
arla protein pudding (latte flavour)
cheese crisps (like eating crisps but actually baked cheese)
mini chicken satay sticks with melted peanut butter

this will regulate your sugar levels. These cravings started for me with the patches.

Ok I’m na k and catching up. Sorry to have come and left.

So I was trying a whole foods approach. Today at midday (admittedly has not eaten breakfast but other days this isn’t an issue). Working from home, had a couple of difficult conversations. I thought I’d have a sandwich, this led to cheese, then chocolate, pancakes - I was eating all afternoons whilst working then did school pick up and brought cinammon Bread with cream cheese and pancakes. I was like a woman possessed.

I had a lot on at work but didn’t feel obviously stressed but I notice the hives in let happen really on working days or days I’m really bored. Sigh.

Hi OP, if I have bread in the house which we always do for DC, I freeze it. That way I can't binge.

If I'm bored and need to eat and like you this can be all afternoon, I eat:

90% chocolate (which I appreciate is am acquired taste)
Baby Pickled beetroot from a jar
Wholegrain rice cakes with a smear of houmous and thinly sliced cucumber and black pepper

None of these things lead me to bread or sugar in general.

Presumably you had to make the pancakes? If you really crave them, use half normal flour and half buckwheat. And put two eggs in the mix instead of one. And then serve with Greek yoghurt and fruit.

Or make banana pancakes. One egg whisked mixed with one mashed banana. Put pan on medium heat and spoon mini pancakes into the pan and gently turn them with a spatula. Then I serve with Greek yog and fruit.

More dark chocolate thank you for posting. I’m glad you made sense of my post. I couldn’t sleep as I felt so sick!

I used to eat dark chocolate but have developed a real craving again for sweeter foods since Easter. I seem to want carbs in bulk whenever stressed.

your ideas are brilliant though. I’m going to Put some beetroot and dark chocolate aside for these moments. I feel slightly ashamed as I felt so ill last night.

Thank you again!

So I was trying a whole foods approach. Today at midday (admittedly has not eaten breakfast but other days this isn’t an issue). Working from home, had a couple of difficult conversations. I thought I’d have a sandwich, this led to cheese, then chocolate, pancakes - I was eating all afternoons whilst working then did school pick up and brought cinammon Bread with cream cheese and pancakes. I was like a woman possessed.

@Ahumanjellyfish Have you thought about CBT? Either doing it yourself with an online course or with a qualified therapist?

The problem isn't 'what food to swap to' but 'why food at all, after a difficult conversation?'.

You've got to do some 'brain training' to break this cycle of 'stress= bingeing'.

You aren't feeding genuine hunger. You're feeding an emotional response to something that you find uncomfortable (the stressful phone calls.)

It's really not about being hungry.

Something like CBT would train your mind to find other ways to cope with stress rather than reaching for food. You've got an addiction, like someone would have a ciggie or a drink.

I'm not being critical her, but just trying to help you see what's going on.

Instead of eating, you can create other outlets for your emotions- even if it's just walking outside for 5 minutes .

Indigestion and acid reflux gives me palpitations.

As the guy in the coffee shack loves to remind me every time I ask for it.

JinglingSpringbells I totally agree I think this is on a level to going outside for a cigarette - in fact I used to smoke when I was younger. It is only ever when I am stressed and I have tried not avoiding foods, avoiding foods - all so tricky! I think you nailed it, I’m using it as a drug. Carbs do have some effect on that way.

the nhs is so bogged under with people worse off than me and c t therapy seems to cost a lot- I guess I can try some self help books. It’s so odd though, I’m fine I can monitor that self control, manage and accept sometimes I might overeat but that desire to binge and stress feels so overwhelming, it’s sad.

Glastobore I suspect reflux gives me palpitations too though not sure if the reflux may have appeared due to overeating and the latter may be the trigger for both palpitations and reflux. Sorry you get this too.

@Ahumanjellyfish I'm pretty sure there are some self-help CBT courses online. Some may be free, others not too expensive. I doubt you would qualify for NHS support for this anyway. There may be something on the charity site BEAT which is about eating disorders. I know you aren't quite at that level but their helpline or website may have some tips.

@JinglingSpringbells im looking at signing up for the Zoe tests and app it’s £300 for tests plus a monthly fee wondered if he had been worth it ? It’s a big outlay but if it really helps then I’ll give it a go
my issues are I’m on hrt last 4 years which helps in general but v foggy brain health and memory, low mood occasionally but seems to be getting more frequent and like OP binge eat when I’m home! Usually biscuits and carbs for ease I’m not overweight but being pescatarian find it hard to stick to rules of protein then veg then carb as often have to eat in the run so go for toast and hummus bloats me out ! I understand gut health is everything and wonder if this keeps you on track ! Also considered getting testosterone levels checked to add to regime . Currently 2 sachets sandrema and the coil

@Ahumanjellyfish Might be worth thinking about Zoe. You can pay for just one month (as well as the kit etc at the start.) If you do choose one month only you need to set that up when you first register or you will be on a rolling payment and it will be month 2 before you can opt out.

It's not a diet as such but it will educate you on what your health is now, and how you react to carbs (wearing the blood glucose monitor.)I'm sure you've read about it- the aim is to get to at least 75 'points' in a day, scored on the app on your phone. Foods that don't suit you (mainly refined carbs for most people and UPF) have low scores whereas fruit, veg, lean protein etc have high scores.

Eventually you can see what food is best for you and change your eating habits.

Sorry that was for @Marmitemyway !

@JinglingSpringbells did you feel it was beneficial in changing your habits and therefore your health ?