What are you lacking when you overeat?

coolhandkate

For the past few days I've been overeating. Nothing I'm overeating with is that terrible (cereal, fruit, almonds, etc), but the extra calories certainly aren't doing me any favors and sort of wrecking the good work. But I've been wondering why I keep filling up with food. For example, I can usually identify if I haven't eaten enough fruit because I start craving gummi bears or Skittles or a similar overly-fruity candy. I crave red meat and realize I may be low on protein. But general boredom aside, does anyone notice if you tend to binge or overeat if there is a certain nutrient you aren't getting?

Kalrez

My binges are mostly emotional. What I lack is a stop sign.

coolhandkate

Emotion certainly can be a factor; I don't see it in myself this particular time around. Boredom is big. But I'm also trying to figure out if I'm telling myself to EAT EAT because my body needs something but can't figure out how to tell me exactly what it is.

Kalrez

Oh yeah, I'll get the munchies BAD if I'm under-stimulated. Honestly, that's part of the reason why I still play video games. It gives me something to do with my brain. If I feel bored, I'll wanna do something like eat. At least playing World of Warcraft keeps my brain occupied!

I found that if I restrict my calories too much, I'll get ravenously hungry to the point where I just kinda snap and eat everything and anything. I tried 1200 calories and it was bad. Just bad. I pumped it up to 1500, and things are going really well. I feel like I have enough calories to feel satisfied.

I've heard about those nutrient deficiency cravings though. If you don't already, maybe consider taking a multivitamin to help cover your nutritional bases. That may help a little. Good luck to ya!

Thamantha

my binges usually happen when I haven't planned a meal out. If i have a plan then at meal times I will go ahead and make food. If i forget to plan then I start to snack instead of eating a meal, and I will snack on everything, and then later have my missed meal as well!
Meal plans are a must for me.

If I was missing any one component in my diet then it is usually either fruit or protein. I'm vegetarian so I have to give some consideration to where my protein comes from.

ajbeans

When I overeat it's generally because I'm low on energy. If I don't get enough sleep, I want to eat a lot. When I'm stressed, I get sleepy, which in turn makes me want to binge. It's almost never a nutrient that I'm missing, but just trying to find an energy source. Usually sugar.

Michelle_M2002

I over eat when I am emotional. I over eat when I am bored. And I over eat if I go more than 3 hours between eating.

So try eating more frequently and plan your meals out.

I find that if I fail to plan dinner ahead of time.. I end up going for fast food or ordering pizza, because it's easier than coming up with a last minute plkan. ESPECIALLY with a husband and 3 kids who don't want to WAIT for food if it's already dinner time and there is nothing thawed out and ready to go.

If I go more than 3 hours without eating, then I'm overly hungry and I over eat. If I eat about every 3 hours, then I'm sitting down to eat about the time I'm STARTING to get hungry.

Another trick... fill up on water. When you feel hungry, drink a 12oz glass of water. Then when you DO snack, you'll be filled faster. Put down the fork and take a drink of water between each bite. People who eat slowly eat fewer calories, because they are giving their stomach time to send the message to the brain that it's full.

Another thing that helps me.... is to keep all the snack food OUT OF THE HOUSE. If it's there, I'll eat it. So I have to be very discriminating with what "snack foods" are in the house.

God bless!

coolhandkate

I'm a pretty good planner, but sometimes that comes back to kick me in the butt. I pack my lunch and snacks for the day, but that doesn't always stop me from wanting to eat everything I've packed before noon.

I've never considered it could be sleep-related, though, ajbeans. I'll have to see if I notice a pattern.