I'm a Cookie Monster...

Cheyenelikewyoming

Ok, so I struggle with binge eating. I wanted to end the cycle, so I read "It Starts With Food" which suggests eating a Paleo type diet. When I eat Paleo, my urges to binge disappear. Just by eating whole foods, I feel better and I do not even want to binge. However, the SECOND that I allow myself to eat something that is not a whole food (say ice cream, chocolate, or candy) I derail and binge like crazy. It's like I'm on a mad hunt for anything that has sugar and I won't stop until I get enough. It's almost like a drug for me. Should I eat anything I want in moderation, or should I refrain from these things altogether. I've got to figure this out. This cycle is making me crazy.

willworkoutforwine

I tried the whole foods/clean eating thing last fall and I couldn't handle the restrictions. I've found that eating whatever I want in moderation works best for me, but there are some foods I stay away from the majority of the time because I tend to binge on them ... like chips and dip. Planning what I'm going to eat and portioning out my food (i.e., counting pretzels, or Skittles, or whatever I'm eating) helps - and pairing those things with other, healthy and filling foods. I've also thrown perfectly good things in the trash so I wouldn't eat them. Reminds me of the episode of Sex and the City where Miranda throws cake in the trash but still can't stop eating it so she pours dish soap on it. Haha! Something I would do.

Guns_N_Buns

I eat paleolithically and, like most of the paleo lifestylers I know, we stick to an 85/15 (or 80/20) restriction. So, 80% of the time our diet consists of caveman-esque foods and 20% of the time is that piece of toast, or cookie...or wedding cake...etc.

Essentially, it's eating like everyone else, but in moderation...like all else.

I started eating this way without even knowing it had a name; my main motivator was just not wanting to ingest anything that was processed or who-knows-what ingredient (to me, that's common sense that that shouldn't be in my body).

Sheri2016

I completely understand this!! I feel like once I start I only want more and more sugary foods. My solution is not to, I can't by a bag of candy. If I truely want some chocolate I go to a place that only sells it by a few pieces and then I can pick a few and be done with it. Thats not so say that once I eat something sugary that sometimes I don't still binge on regular goods but i tend to feel better about doing that than to continue to eat sugar foods.

msfofo80

I am like you and if I eat something bad it is hard for me to stop. What I do is take it in 30 day increments. I go hardcore paleo for 30 days (I am more like 98/2 ha ha the only thing non paleo I use is a small amount of half and half in my coffee). Then after 30 days I have one cheat meal then start back over. That works for me. I am an all in or all out kind of person. If I am eating healthy I will keep working out so I just stay focused. I have to want to be healthy for myself to be a healthy role model for my son more than I want sugary foods or Mexican food.

elizabethpittman80

I'm the same way! Did keto multiple times with much success but it would only last 2 weeks and then I'd be on a mad woman binge. I restrict no foods now, HOWEVER I save things that will trigger me until night time. That way I'm off to bed instead of looking for more to eat.