Binging out of hunger

tashaa1992

I have been struggling with binge eating for the past 2-3 months, and I've hit an all time low:( I don't comfort eat, I binge eat because I'm genuinely hungry. My calorie intake isn't low (1600-1900) but I am hungry all the time, I don't eat junk food unless I'm binging so I think I shouldn't feel as hungry as I do. I'm close to my goal weight (7-8lbs left to goal), and I don't want to start gaining everything back because of my binges:/ Does anyone have any advice as to what to do?

hush7hush

If you're eating at a good calorie goal already, my question for you is: do you work out a lot? If so, do you eat back the calories?

It's possible that if you're used to eating back the calories, then on days you don't work out you will likely be more hungry. In addition to that, if you don't eat back your calories, it's possible that you need to try it out for a while.

Also, try drinking more water. The body often confuses thirst with hunger. If you're not getting enough water, you may feel hungry, when you really just need a drink! I suggest drinking one full glass of water before breakfast. Then one with every meal. And when you feel a binge coming on, drink a big glass of ice water first. If you're still hungry, then you know you actually need food.

Graelwyn75

I would imagine it is because you are aiming for a very low weight, that is probably totally unnatural for your body and most likely not even maintainable. Your body will do whatever it can do keep itself at a healthy weight, and if that includes driving you to be so hungry you are impelled to binge, then so be it. I suggest re-evaluating your goal weight, or face the rest of your life with a constant battle against this. Very few people would be healthy or at their natural weight at 91Ibs, beyond those who are 4'11 or below.

tashaa1992

If you're eating at a good calorie goal already, my question for you is: do you work out a lot? If so, do you eat back the calories?

It's possible that if you're used to eating back the calories, then on days you don't work out you will likely be more hungry. In addition to that, if you don't eat back your calories, it's possible that you need to try it out for a while.

Also, try drinking more water. The body often confuses thirst with hunger. If you're not getting enough water, you may feel hungry, when you really just need a drink! I suggest drinking one full glass of water before breakfast. Then one with every meal. And when you feel a binge coming on, drink a big glass of ice water first. If you're still hungry, then you know you actually need food.

Thank you for replying:) No I don't, I workout 30-40 minutes a day and I don't eat back exercise calories because they're factored into my tdee. I drink 2-3 litres a day, 500mls with every meal or snack. I used to drink more water but I started to become really dizzy and a few friends suggested it could be my high water intake which is why I decreased my water intake to the 2-3 litres xxx

tashaa1992

I would imagine it is because you are aiming for a very low weight, that is probably totally unnatural for your body and most likely not even maintainable. Your body will do whatever it can do keep itself at a healthy weight, and if that includes driving you to be so hungry you are impelled to binge, then so be it. I suggest re-evaluating your goal weight, or face the rest of your life with a constant battle against this. Very few people would be healthy or at their natural weight at 91Ibs, beyond those who are 4'11 or below.

Thank you for replying:) I didn't know that, I didn't realise it could be why, thank you for shedding some light:) Oh, I'm 4'10, I have a small frame

hush7hush

What type of exercise are you doing?

If you're strength training, it could be making you hungry because your muscles need more fuel to grow/repair.

I would suggest trying to eat back maybe half of your exercise calories and see if that helps.

Good luck! xx

Graelwyn75

I would imagine it is because you are aiming for a very low weight, that is probably totally unnatural for your body and most likely not even maintainable. Your body will do whatever it can do keep itself at a healthy weight, and if that includes driving you to be so hungry you are impelled to binge, then so be it. I suggest re-evaluating your goal weight, or face the rest of your life with a constant battle against this. Very few people would be healthy or at their natural weight at 91Ibs, beyond those who are 4'11 or below.

Thank you for replying:) I didn't know that, I didn't realise it could be why, thank you for shedding some light:) Oh, I'm 4'10, I have a small frame

I suggest maybe just trying to maintain for now,or at least up your calories a little and see if the binging stops.
It has got to be better than being stuck in a binge cycle which tends to lead to weight gain eventually anyways.
I know because I have been there and gone through that, and it does tend to make it a lot harder to shed fat once you have had a number of years with binge eating issues.
Also, check you aren't eating from boredom or depression.