Restrictive Diet Leads To Binge eating?

Graelwyn75

I used to pretty much eat what I wanted, not overeating, but if I fancied a mcflurry, I had one, If I wanted a baked potato with prawn mayo, I had it, and if I wanted a seafood linguini microwave meal, I had it. I find that since I became more into 'clean' eating, and avoiding microwave meals, and trying new foods because of this. I just end up stuck in eating the same things everynight, binge eating a fair bit, and craving things so intensely. I look longingly at things like mini smoked salmon bagels, and these mini cheese topped frittatas, lots of new foods I have never tried, and wonder if my approach isn't actually detrimental, and if it is really necessary for me to keep fit and healthy, while working out daily.

My ex boyfriend, on the other hand, stopped thinking about calories and cholestral. If he fancies 2 small bakery loaves of walnut and fig bread, he will have that as his dinner and be perfectly happy. He sometimes has a pigs head and lots of veggies as well, while another day he might have 6 eggs and a load of bacon. He went through a period of eating only litres of ice cream, and said he never felt healthier. He is pretty active, one of those people always moving about in one way or another, and he has never gone over 154 Ibs at 5'11.

Is it just his natural makeup and luck, or the fact he is so active that enables him to stay so lean on such a diet?
He overeats sometimes, then just eats less the next day as he isn't hungry, but with me, I feel impelled to eat my fruit, my fish, my vegetables, and my yoghurt daily, which leaves no room for me to fit in foods I have now come to believe to be bad due to being more processed.

It does make me miserable, but I don't want to end up covered in fat because I am not always eating these 'clean' foods. My trainer said she didn't think I was over 10% bodyfat, but I don't believe that for a moment.

How do you make a liftstyle change if part of your pleasure in life is having the freedom to eat a variety of foods and to follow your tastes?

kimothy38

I found 100% clean eating very restrictive and too much like a diet to handle for more than 9 months. When I gave in I binged till I nearly puked. Do you enjoy eating clean? Is it filling and nourishing you physically and mentally? If it was then I doubt you'd have such bad cravings. I try to follow 80/20 rule - good food 80% of the time and whatever I feel like 20%. Sometimes I find moderation hard but it sure beats trying to eat perfectly 100% of the time.

awesomek001

It does make me miserable, but I don't want to end up covered in fat because I am not always eating these 'clean' foods. My trainer said she didn't think I was over 10% bodyfat, but I don't believe that for a moment.

How do you make a liftstyle change if part of your pleasure in life is having the freedom to eat a variety of foods and to follow your tastes?

I personally don't eat "clean" but I eat healthy. My microwave is a staple in my kitchen, and "organic" only gets purchased if it's on sale (since it's always more expensive). Processed still hits the pantry shelves every once in a while - - as long as the nutritional value is what I'm looking for (for example: Instant Long Grain Rice from Uncle Bens).

I don't see the rational behind depriving yourself of things you like if they are healthy. The best advise I ever received while on this journey is that if I'm not willing to eat like that forever, why would I start? Find healthy foods you like and start to implement those in your nutrition plan. Remember, this is for the long haul and shouldn't be just a sprint. Your health is worth it.

nikilis

just like catholic girls. you cant deny yourself forever.

Kristineevans1

Yes It does, no question! You must allow the foods you crave regularly into your diet to stop the deprivation feeling . It's the biggest thing I've learnt in recovery I know it's early days but by eating more and moving less I'm not bingeing or purging because ive binged. There is no such thing as bad food your partner is a perfect example!

NocturnalGirl

Yes it most definitely can lead to binge eating. I don't believe in eliminating any foods from your diet, but simply reducing the quantity to meet your calorie and macro goals. A diet is not supposed to limit you from enjoying your meals.

As for him, the difference is that he is eating at maintenance. Also if he's very active, his TDEE will be higher.

Graelwyn75

Thanks for the replies, and yes, my ex bf is very active, well, he does not exercise beyond cycling a few times a week, but he gets up early, goes to bed early, and is just a very fidgety sort of person. He has always been thin. I myself have never been overweight, and I am told I could not be overweight as it just isn't in my makeup, but I prefer to avoid being at the upper end of my bmi which I was once (at 150Ibs at 5'10).

I miss being able to do a baked potato and beans or vegetarian chili, if I feel like it, or being able to get a sandwich and not be analysing if the bread will absorb loads of water and push my weight up or if the stabilisers and preservatives will mess up my health. I find myself trapped eating the same old, same old, day in and day out, other than when I go to my mother's when we eat out and I find myself eating tasteful food and as a result, feeling fuller and more satisfied.

I have my fish and my vegetables at home, and I am hungry again an hour later. I really want to get a balance and be more of an intuitive eater. I feel impelled to have a pile of fruit and veg everyday, and to have my fish everyday, so even if I feel like having something that maybe isn't full of veggies or full of protein for a dinner, I will agonise over it and just throw my usual onto my plate and feel somewhat bored by it.

And nocturnal, I am not on a diet, I am not aiming to lose weight, I am at the lower end of my BMI. I just want to maintain really.