I can't stop binge eating and I don't know what to do...

[mommathatwearspink]

I've struggled with binge eating for as long as I can remember. My weight has yoyo'd dramatically but despite getting down to my ideal weight in 2013, I've since had two DC and managed to put on 6 stone
I told myself once DS had been born (spring 2017) I would get the weight off but I've spent my whole maternity leave binge eating.
I have some really great days but this morning is bad already and you wouldn't believe the amount of food I've already eaten and it's only 9:30am.
I'm desperate to stop binge eating but I don't know what to do now...

@athingthateveryoneneeds
I very much relate to everything you've written. Great post.
And an interesting point about fasting vs feasting. I'm in the same cycle.

I was talking to my husband about our NYE celebration with friends. So much great food. I started the year as I always seem to. Painfully stuffed and completely overrun with self-loathing.
Would love to learn the art of moderation!

I used to binge A LOT until I came across Weston A Price and learnt how to really nourish myself. I make sure I eat three nourishing meals a day (which is something I am keen to do to stay healthy) and then allow myself treats at the weekend. I rarely crave. I think staying busy helps too.

www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/dietary-guidelines/

Hi chicken. I cut out starch too because it has exactly the same effet as sugar on me. Even complex carbs trigger binges. I have to be really careful.
In a few week's time I will reintroduce a few carbs, very carefully (ie in small quantities along with a bigger portion of protein).

Thank you for replying

Sugar free people - does that mean cutting out fruit and fruit juice?

Only juice for me. Fruit is fine.

I really struggled this afternoon. I wouldn't say I succeeded as such, but I ate fruits and vegetables and a normal dinner size. I still feel overly full though.

Terftastic no fruit for me at the moment. Only occasionally (usually before a workout, like any other sugar) when I am maintaining my weight.

I ate so much crap on maternity leave. I lost a stone and a half by calorie counting. Didn't restrict myself too much stuck to 1500 cals a day. I found that letting myself have a sweet treat as part of my cals stopped me falling off the wagon and binging on crap again. I only bought small treats that were individually wrapped because if j opened a big bar of chocolate I couldn't just eat 4 squares I'd have the whole thing.

I found writing down every single thing I ate helpful too. I found I was shoving food into my mouth at every opportunity and when I wrote it down it mortified me enough into changing.

Fruit juice is condensed sugar and whole fruit has fiber in , if u drank apple juice made by 10 apples thats 10 apples worth of sugar but if u ate 10 apples u would feel really full and prob couldnt

I don't have fruit juice at all - full of sugar. I have mainly berries for fruit but try to eat more veg as it's much better for you than fruit - loads more dietary fibre. I forced myself to like celery and eat a few sticks a day.

No to fruit juice. Berries are the fruit with least sugar.
You don't realise how addictive sugar is until you cut it out (or down). All this time you've blaming yourself for binge eating and lack of willpower, but the sugar you eat drives the cravings.
Try reading The 8 week Blood Sugar Diet for backgound info on insulin etc. Check out the very supportive group on MN's Low Carb Bootcamp.
Apart from losing weight, there are lots of other benefits from ditching sugar and processed carbs.
Best of luck OP! You've got this.

Also Diet Doctor is a good website for staple shopping lists, recipes and case studies.

Thank you everyone, your advice is really appreciated!

OP I really struggle with my weight and have in the last 5 years lost and gained over 30kg. It's so hard and I feel so rubbish about myself. So I'm going to try to reduce sugar...what are people's views on milk? Yes or no? I'm a bit miserable without tea and coffee with milk!

Lactose the sugar in milk is processed differently to fructose, so its fine 😊

Thanks Chicken - really inspiring. Which book did you read - the plan or the first one?

I found the plan first as didnt see the first one, but then first one after!

Who does the shopping in your house? Don' t buy the sort of rubbish you can then end up binging on in the first place can help a lot. Do the shopping when you aren' t hungry is cliche advice I know but things become cliche because they are true and been around for a long time. Another reason of course is boredom and dehydration so drink plenty of fluids and try to keep yourself occupied.
Try these 3 simple ideas to see if they help. If they don' t I' m afraid your the only one who knows if any soul searching is in order.

Chicken I've ordered it. Truthspkr think you are right about dehydration as so easy to mix up with hunger, plus boredom. I am trying the 10 minute rule of distraction... Food is trickier. My cupboards and fridge is super - healthy. For me, the trouble is swinging past the petrol station or local shop...

How are you doing now? Have things improves for you any bit?

After years of slimming world, weight watchers, low carb you name it, I'm done with diets. Something scary like 96% of us put back the weight we lost AND more. I can honestly say I binge a lot less than I used to, partly because I did a mindful eating program, to learn to listen to my body's hunger signals, and to work out why I was binge eating, and partly because food is no longer restricted so I don't have that feast or famine attitude.

A good author on finding out why you are eating is Geneen Roth - try "when food is food and love is love" although all her books are excellent

Yikes ghost thread!