Is there a difference between binge eating and over eating?

I think that the answer if going to vary, and I'm not sure any answer will be wrong. For some, a binge is any behavior taken to excess... which probably fits with your last night. For others, it's an episode of uncontrollable indulgence, which may not be your last night. Look at how often you engage in it, assess if it's interferring with your goals. You already checked your regret and you don't have any. Usually, when it's addiction (that we're aware of) we'd have the regret. You may be just fine, whether or not you call it a binge. I think that's the key isn't in term used. Binge is a behavior. Addiction is a pattern. A binge wouldn't necessarily be worrisome out of the context of a larger problem/issue/pattern.

Also remember, it's just a term, your friends probably mean no offense, it's likely just the language they use and they aren't intending to imply you have a bigger problem. Maybe for you, the term is more emotionally loaded than for them. And I don't know how big your "binge" was, but I know folks who can put away literally thousands of extra calories. I'm sure I did it in my day too, but just never tracked then. Not one, but 2-6 thousand. So even when using the same word... all is still relative. All that matters is being honest with ourselves.

Glad you had fun with your friends!

From wiki: Binge eating is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is sometimes as a symptom of binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating disorder. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive amount of food. Most people who have eating binges try to hide this behavior from others, and often feel ashamed about being overweight or depressed about their overeating. Although people who do not have any eating disorder may occasionally experience episodes of overeating, frequent binge eating is often a symptom of an eating disorder.

From the last statement and from the association with other terms (such as drinking/shopping/tv watching), I would classify Binge eating w/o a disorder as eating in excess/ more than you need... Doesn't mean you did bc your calorie count was high but more did you keep eating after you were full...

I think of overeating is just when you eat what is not normal for you but would be normal for someone with a different calorie budget. Such as eating 2400 calories instead of your normal 1600 because you went out and had a big bowl of pasta with cream sauce instead of grilled chicken and a big leafy salad. When I think of binging, I think of the person that ate a pint of icecream, half a pizza, 5 donuts, a bag of chips, 2 liters of soda, etc. all within just a couple hours and usually as a response to some stresser.

My opinion: you did nothing wrong. Anyone attempting to shame you with back handed trite encouragement about binging is incorrect. Criticism veiled as encouragement.... what crap.


So, if I go to AUCE night for Snow Crab, and have well over my calorie limit as set by MFP, I'm a binge-er? Or if I indulge in high calorie yummy cocktails along with other normal snacks, I'm a binge-er? come on..... no. no. no.

Absolutely this!

I wouldn't call that a "binge". I'm a binge eater, and when I binge, I don't actually WANT to eat, I just can't stop. I will literally have a stomach ache from the amount of food I've eaten....and keep going back for more! To the point where it physically hurts so much that I can almost throw up ( I do not throw up....just feel like I could). That is what I call a "binge".

I would agree with this. I've had problems with binge eating and actually had a day like this for the first time this week since I joined MFP. Ran right over and joined an eating disorder support group because I wondered if I was relapsing into one of my several eating disordered behaviors. Sigh.

But the common use of the word 'binge' is probably what your friends were referring to.

I separate the two just because of my history. Thanksgiving, I didn't really track, ate everything I wanted, and guestimated 3000 calories for the day to make sure I was covered. I don't think of that as a binge. The other day, I was tired, stressed, and hating myself for lots of non-food/diet related reasons and I stuffed myself beyond all reason and hunger. I did log it to see the damage and hopefully scare myself straight.

This isn't a really "technical" explanation.... but I see the two as TOTALLY different!

I have a longggg history with binge eating. It's something where you can eat decent all day, but you have strong cravings to indulge. I've had periods where I would eat an entire sleeve of cookies, ice cream, 5 slices of pizza all in ONE sitting. It's like an uncontrollable (well, it IS controllable) thing where you just get an overwhelming feeling of the inability to stop. You're not hungry; you eat because you crave it. Or at least that's how I explain my binge eating.

Over-eating is completely different. Last night I overate on my calories, but not deliberately. I was out at dinner and had a little too much food. It's not like I was hiding in a closet with a pint of ice cream.

Looking at what you ate last night, I wouldn't call that a binge.

Trust me, you would KNOW if it was a binge. I don't like to classify myself as a 'binge eater'...but I probably am. It's not like over eating where you just want to indulge a little bit more...or a lot. It's more of a mental thing where you say to yourself...'I NEED this food or I'm going to feel anxious' so you then go and frantically find as much junk food as possible. I've been there many times and it's not a good feeling at all, it's a loss of self control.

There is a HUGE difference.

Over eating means you ate too much. Maybe you indulged in some foods you don't normally eat, or dinner was so good you went back for second and are a bit full now. But you don't feel ill, you were in control while you were eating, etc.

Binging is generally associated with binge eating disorder or other EDs. The person loses all control. They will eat anything they can get their hands on, sometimes going into the trash or eating spoiled food in extreme cases. They have no control over their action and cannot stop. Binging is usually triggered by some sort of emotional or situational trigger. The person will often become sick, only to keep eating. After the binge they will feel and immense feeling of guilt, may feel like they hate themselves, and their stomachs will be painfully full.

It's very important to know the difference between these two words. People with EDs, especially BED fight a hard battle, and when you say "OMG I just binged! I ate three slices of pizza and two cookies!" it's basically a slap in the face to them.

This isn't a really "technical" explanation.... but I see the two as TOTALLY different!

I have a longggg history with binge eating. It's something where you can eat decent all day, but you have strong cravings to indulge. I've had periods where I would eat an entire sleeve of cookies, ice cream, 5 slices of pizza all in ONE sitting. It's like an uncontrollable (well, it IS controllable) thing where you just get an overwhelming feeling of the inability to stop. You're not hungry; you eat because you crave it. Or at least that's how I explain my binge eating.

Over-eating is completely different. Last night I overate on my calories, but not deliberately. I was out at dinner and had a little too much food. It's not like I was hiding in a closet with a pint of ice cream.

This ^^^. Definitely a difference between "bingeing" and overeating. Sometimes a Hershey kiss can turn into a real disaster and set me off. Feels like you can't stop; "I've already messed up today; let me just keep eating" kinda thing. I have to remove myself from wherever I am/whatever I'm doing at the time to try and break it. Literally, leave the house, throw all the "bad" stuff away, etc. Overeating occasionally isn't bad for you. Bingeing can control your life.