Is this considered a binge?

Okay, so I am trying to maintain my weight and I'm used to eating 1200 calories, but I'm trying to up them. This morning for breakfast, I was planning on having just one bowl of cheerios w/o milk (milk and me don't go very well together) and a banana. That would have been 205 calories. Buut I was still hungry (I think) and I ate a bowl of honey but cheerios (an off brand that was only 110 calories) and a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch (130 calories) both w/o milk. That would equal out to another 240 calories.. Making that 445 calories for breakfast. Would that be considered a binge? Because I couldn't help eating the honey nut and cinnamon toast crunch.
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Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Having a teenager at home such as yourself, I would call it a perfectly normal breakfast!
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    No. That is not a binge.

    Since you felt it necessary to ask this question, I suggest you have a chat with a trusted adult about your relationship with food.
  • No sweetie, that is not a binge. A binge is if you would eat like 2000 calories for breakfast. I would just track your macros so you can fit in sweet things that you like so you don't go overboard :)
  • junlex123
    junlex123 Posts: 81 Member
    In terms of the amount of calories, eating a little over a third of what you allow yourself daily for breakfast doesn't seem like a binge as such. The fact that you weren't able to control yourself does suggest that something was wrong though. It's possible you're restricting yourself too much by aiming for 1200/day and your hunger after the first bowl + banana is your body's way of telling you that. Another possibility is the fact that everything you ate had quite a lot of sugar in it and very little protein or fat; protein and fat-rich foods are generally a lot more satiating compared to carbs, and especially simple carbs. Maybe having either the banana or the bowl of cereal along with an egg, or yoghurt, or a couple of slices of ham etc. would do a better job at leaving you feeling satiated. As a general rule aiming to have a good balance of protein, fat and carbs in every meal is generally going to feel less restrictive and also be more nutritious.
  • littleancientheart
    littleancientheart Posts: 18 Member
    I generally consider it a binge if I feel out of control and unable to stop. Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens...just try to reset your determination and stick with good choices the rest of the day. Don't give up because of one slip! Cereals can be high in sugar and lead you to a binge just like cookies or candy. You should consider having a little more protein with your breakfast. It can help you feel full, and protein takes longer to metabolize so you will feel fuller longer. If you eat animal products, you could try eggs or maybe some ham.

    Another idea would be to incorporate higher fiber foods, like fresh fruit. The fiber also contributes to feeling full, and slows down the digestion process so again, you feel fuller longer.

    A hot cereal like oatmeal has more fiber and will also help you feel full...just be careful what you choose as many prepackaged varieties come with lots of added sugar and artificial ingredients. I always use plain and add fresh fruit for sweetness, or a little honey and peanut butter.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Not really a binge....just a lot of refined carbs/sugar.

    My brother (and my husband) could both put away half a box of cereal. no problem.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Determine what your recommended daily calorie limit is to maintain and look at a weekly average of consumption.
    Some days you will eat over your limit and other days you will eat under but as long as your weekly (or monthly) average consumption fits into your goal, you will maintain. Also remember that maintenance is a "weight range", not an exact weight. You will fluctuate (gain a few pounds, lose a few pounds) but your average will be your goal weight.

    That said, a breakfast of 500 calories is fine. Your daily calorie limit is unlikely to be under about 1800-2000 (depending on height and activity level). Don't be afraid of food. Eat wisely and eat well. Reach your maintenance calories, which are well above 1200, I'm sure.
  • runlilyrun
    runlilyrun Posts: 140
    I generally aim to have a breakfast in around the 350 calorie region, including protein, to feel full for the morning. My go-to is a bowl of instant porridge with a boiled egg and a white coffee.
  • pennyks88
    pennyks88 Posts: 167 Member
    No way. 445 calories for a meal is considered pretty average, not a binge. Don't be too hard on yourself! :)
  • licorice_tea
    licorice_tea Posts: 59 Member
    No. That is not a binge.

    Since you felt it necessary to ask this question, I suggest you have a chat with a trusted adult about your relationship with food.

    This :( You know you need more than you are eating to maintain your weight, yet are struggling to eat it and at the same time struggling to control what you eat. I think it's time to talk with someone about how you've been feeling.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    cereal is the devil who really stops at one bowl? I think what you did is normal. I never even had cereal in my house except when i have company who wants it.

    Try eating eggs and toast for breakfast..it is satisfying..and you never feel like.. "gosh I need to eat a dozen more eggs." trust me. :flowerforyou:
  • Not a binge ^_^ if you pulled an old me and had a large bag of Smartfood and a Grande Caramel Frapp for breakfast then yes :P
  • Cereal doesn't fill me up at all. It makes me more hungry.
    If 500 calories were a binge, then I binge every meal.
  • mallorytravels
    mallorytravels Posts: 86 Member
    I think that perhaps it could be considered a binge, but the more important thing I think you should consider is why you felt compelled to eat so much cereal. I think your body was craving fat and protein, and that's why the cereal and the banana didn't do it for you. Try swapping out the cereal for some cheese or some yogurt. Even though I love the taste of cereal, I'm a firm believer that it does absolutely nothing good for your body.
  • einzweidrei
    einzweidrei Posts: 381 Member
    I think that perhaps it could be considered a binge, but the more important thing I think you should consider is why you felt compelled to eat so much cereal. I think your body was craving fat and protein, and that's why the cereal and the banana didn't do it for you. Try swapping out the cereal for some cheese or some yogurt. Even though I love the taste of cereal, I'm a firm believer that it does absolutely nothing good for your body.

    I would not take advice from someone whose first sentiment is that something less than 500 calories could be considered a binge.

    Eat cereal if you want to. Your body is craving food because it sounds like you are used to being on 1200 calories (not sustainable) and I'm not sure what you're currently upping your calories to but my guess is that it is still not enough.
  • I think you are fine. If I were to eat that much cereal in the morning (which I most def. will sometime in my near future) all I would do is balance out what I ate for the rest of the day. It seems like you knew what you were doing and weren't sitting there with all the cereal boxes next to you chowing down. (And even if you were, you're human and crave and want food). If you don't already, drink a nice glass of water before eating breakfast! It'll make you feel fuller and keep you hydrated.Don't feel ashamed of what you did. Cereal is f-ing awesome!
  • myfitnesspale3
    myfitnesspale3 Posts: 276 Member
    It's not a binge, but 500 cals of cereal and fruit will make you hungry again in an hour Or so.

    Cereal is awesome for food and drug companies. Not for people.
  • Anonycatgirl
    Anonycatgirl Posts: 502 Member
    I often ate that much for breakfast when I was losing and regularly do now that I'm maintaining. If you'd eaten the whole dang box of cereal, a gallon of milk, and a three-pound bag of berries, that might be a binge. 450-500 calories of cereal and milk meant you woke up hungry. Log it and move on.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Binge = eating out of control without being able to stop, without being hungry. Whether it's 200 calories or 2000. I had a 'binge' of 4 chocolates yesterday. Probably only 240 calories worth... but still a binge.

    So yeah, you had a binge... just move on.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I think that perhaps it could be considered a binge, but the more important thing I think you should consider is why you felt compelled to eat so much cereal. I think your body was craving fat and protein, and that's why the cereal and the banana didn't do it for you. Try swapping out the cereal for some cheese or some yogurt. Even though I love the taste of cereal, I'm a firm believer that it does absolutely nothing good for your body.

    definitely this.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Why is an "18" year old with 1lb to lose eating 1200 calories?
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Binge = eating out of control without being able to stop, without being hungry. Whether it's 200 calories or 2000. I had a 'binge' of 4 chocolates yesterday. Probably only 240 calories worth... but still a binge.

    So yeah, you had a binge... just move on.

    This.

    It sounds to me like a binge. And if you had to ask, then it probably was. The number of calories associated with a binge will differ for everyone even though most people consider a binge based on an obscene about of calories. So yes, you had a binge. If it bothers you or begins to happen often, then I would suggest figuring out why you binged. It could be emotional. Or it could be that you are eating at a low enough deficit that your body just wants food... And perhaps sugary cereal isn't the best breakfast, but I digress...
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    No. That is not a binge.

    Since you felt it necessary to ask this question, I suggest you have a chat with a trusted adult about your relationship with food.

    ^^^^ this

    it sounds like a normal breakfast to me. I'd suggest adding more protein to the breakfast to make it more filling. E.g. an egg or something or even some meat or fish. If you're removing dairy from your diet for whatever reason, you need to replace the nutrients you get from it, in this case protein would be the main one, but also fat soluble vitamins and calcium. Eggs would replace most of those. More protein would make you feel more full.

    If you're anxious over eating four hundred and something calories for breakfast then that suggests a bad relationship with food - your body needs food to function properly. If you can't get over this by yourself then I second the above quoted advice.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    Why is an "18" year old with 1lb to lose eating 1200 calories?

    ^^^ this too

    The calorie goals on this site are only appropriate to fully grown adults. They don't include calories needed for growth in children and adolescents. 1200 calories a day is inadequate for most adults. It's very inadequate for adolescents, who usually need more calories than adults due to growing and developing.
  • andrewptr1
    andrewptr1 Posts: 16 Member
    if thats a binge (which i dont consider it being) idk what my friday dinner/binge was...perkins smokehouse trio and appetizer =2000 calories...
  • Not all calories are created equal. 400 calories of food like cinammon toast crunch is terrible compared to 400 calories of something like Oatmeal, Eggs, Yogurt, Fruit etc. People need to start thinking of refined sugar as an addictive substance like nicotine.

    Most people would be much better off if they forgot about calories altogether and just focused on the types of foods they eat.

    When you try and kick the sugar habit it's going to suck for a little while but as you retrain your taste buds you're going to realize that it's better to feel good all the time instead of briefly feeling really good from getting a fix and then feeling bad and guilty about it later.
  • UnicornAmanda
    UnicornAmanda Posts: 294 Member
    If it was a binge, you would know! There is this whole horrible state of mind that comes with a binge..... Sounds like you were just hungry, which is totally normal!
  • caracrawford1
    caracrawford1 Posts: 657 Member
    Okay, so I am trying to maintain my weight and I'm used to eating 1200 calories, but I'm trying to up them. This morning for breakfast, I was planning on having just one bowl of cheerios w/o milk (milk and me don't go very well together) and a banana. That would have been 205 calories. Buut I was still hungry (I think) and I ate a bowl of honey but cheerios (an off brand that was only 110 calories) and a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch (130 calories) both w/o milk. That would equal out to another 240 calories.. Making that 445 calories for breakfast. Would that be considered a binge? Because I couldn't help eating the honey nut and cinnamon toast crunch.
    I fail to see how 445 cal breakfast is a "binge". I hate to see what a day of undereating is then. If you're trying to up your calories from a low 1200 why would 445 be a binge? If you had three meals a day with the same amount of cals (400, say) you would come out to only 1200 and 45 cals isn't some huge difference so I fail to see what you're getting all worked up about.
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    I DO NOT Like the word 'BINGE' -it seems to be used by young girls who have had or have an eating disorder.

    Still feeling hungry after eating breakfast may mean that you are picking the wrong type of breakfast. White processed carbs do not stick with me long, and I do tend to feel full as long.

    I Love cereal, but I've cut it out of my diet. I haven't had cold cereal in years. If I want to "splurge" (much better word than binge) I have a piece of chocolate, half a cup of ice cream, etc...

    (I agree with some others - I don't believe 1200 cals are enough.)
  • Holla4mom
    Holla4mom Posts: 587 Member
    Sounds like you're on the right track with increasing your calorie intake. Can you add non-dairy milk to your bowl of cereal? Milk doesn't agree with me either so I have been using almond milk. However, I almost never eat breakfast because it's not filling enough. I do a green smoothie with greek yogurt. It keeps me full for hours for under 200 calories. In a bind, I eat a tbsp of peanut butter or almond butter on whole wheat toast.