Having trouble with binge eating :(

[Robby]

So I've been dealing with this for some time, & not sure where or how to talk about it. Things have been going much better for me overall, getting a job finally, getting myself together, but I have been struggling with an issue still even while other things in my life like the anxiety and depression have gotten much better.

I'm able to function now, but I am having problems with food. It's really getting out of hand. The thing is, I am a totally normal weight and everything, but I am stuffing myself constantly. I am addicted to fast food

I've been doing this for some time too. I can't remember when it started, but I just don't feel satisfied until I feel totally stuffed. I literally feel the need to stuff myself all the time, but I don't let myself do it all the time.

I feel I am addicted to fast food. I'll go to Burger King and get a homestyle chicken sandwich, chicken fries, or a double whopper with cheese, extra ketchup, no mayo. Other days it's Chinese, other days pizza, other days fried chicken. I eat everything on my plate and am still hungry.

At night, I'll eat a whole bowl of corn flakes, or whatever cereal is around, a bowl of chicken noodle soup, slice of bread, or something like that.

I do make myself eat fruits every day, bananas or apples, and I drink 7-8 cups of water a day, and have stopped regular soda for diet coke. And I only have one diet coke a day.

But I sneak and gorge myself when I'm alone. people think I look fine, and I do have a very slim frame, and don't gain weight noticeably, but after I binge like this, I feel stuffed and later on I feel dirty. I don't know what's going on but I feel it's out of control. I can't stop eating. If my genes were different, I'd probably be fat. I am trying to make myself exercise and walking, but I can't stop the need to want to binge. How do you even begin to address this? Thanks, I just want to get this under control a bit.

 

[On the Inside]

I have always had a borderline binge problem, but I also exercise quite a bit. I used to compete in endurance sports, so when I was training, I couldn't get enough food. It took a while to get it more under control when I stopped training so hard, and I will often eat more than I should, especially when under stress (which is much of the time, anyways). I have always had a very healthy diet, though, so I'm concerned with your junk food intake. I have, like you, always maintained my average weight, it doesn't fluctuate more than 5-8 pounds and I'm the same weight I was when a teenager.

I'm not exercising as much now, but I am taking an anti-anxiety med, and I don't have the cravings and urges to eat like I had. Well, I did eat a lot of Halloween candy last week.

Hope you have success in getting it under control.

 

[Bro'Freak]

Suffering from a binge last night, ate 200g of salted peanuts & then demolished a 1kg Lasagna.... oooops
Im not overweight or anything but feel a bit now.. I think i ate soo much as I was slightly depressed last night but this binge eating food thing is new & I should get it under control.

 

[Larisa]

I have a constant chocolate binge - on weekdays when I work.
On vacation I do not eat much and rarely even want sweets or chocolate.
I gain weight - and I have troubles with my teeth.
But I haven't found any other way to deal with working (to earn money).
When my reserves get exhausted I resign for 5-6 months to come to my senses. After that - I start to seek another job.

 

[Vinca]

In general, I have a balanced diet but I notice that when there is something emotionally stressful that I am dealing with my relationship with food changes. I am more likely to want to eat foods that are sweet tasting and convenient. Also, if there is some aspect of my life that is negative for me, and that I don't feel I have control over, I tend to 'rebel' in other areas of my life, such as in what I eat and when I eat. Meal time routines usually provide structure and routine for me, which I like, but they begin to feel restrictive when I'm not functioning right. I suppose what I am tring to say, is that perhaps there is something behind what causes a person to want to binge, and that identifying that and addressing that could help.

It's been my experience that foods that are high in refined sugar and carbohydrates are highly desireable to the body, (even addictive) but not very substantial in meeting the body's nutritional needs so are less likely to produce the truly 'satisfied full feeling'.

In the same way that you are actively taking steps which contribute to a healthier lifestyle such as exerciseing and eating fruit, what about adding some foods/meals that are higher in protein and have slower release energy? For example eggs and toast or porridge for breakfast/supper? Aslo, nuts and seeds are great for snacks inbetween meals (some nuts are higher in fats that others, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing how much to have of which ones). I have one teaspoon of ground flaxseed(linseed) before each main meal in a cup of water and find that I feel full for longer than I would have done without it. (Flaxseed absorbs water so it is important to drink enough water when taking it or it will lead to constipation).

 

[Butterfly88]

I struggle with overeating too. Maybe you can try to find a support group for this in your area?