Compulsive Sugar Binger. Moderation or Cut out all?
bbontheb
Posts: 718 Member
I am a compulsive (sugar) binger. I used to have borderline issues with alcohol, (quit all), smoking (quit 4.5 years ago), and then turned to food. I have an impulse control disorder (lol) and I will hide and binge on certain foods (sweet stuff/chocolate/pies/cookies/streudels,etc) in this feeling of filling myself up , and before someone else gets it...so complicated. Anyhow, I have gained about 70lbs on my shorter stature, have developed gallstones and other issues and feel like I will die if I don't stop my habits.
Here is what I am not sure about and having trouble. I can't moderate well. If it's there, I will eat it. I can't stop until it's gone. I feel a little like I need to get out of habit completely of my tastebuds having that sugary taste (fake sugars) and cut it all out as to have an easier time overall to not have impulse issues with it. But then again I think if I don't allow myself anything when craving something-I will not be able to think properly (I do have ocd as well) until I am "satisfied" by something. The other night I was pretty good and had one pudding. But then last night I had a 1/4 of a huge cheesecake and that was about half of what I would eat before...secretly...but this was at dinner out at my mother's house so didn't feel very in control like at home the last couple of weeks.
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Cut out? Have set treats I can have?
Here is what I am not sure about and having trouble. I can't moderate well. If it's there, I will eat it. I can't stop until it's gone. I feel a little like I need to get out of habit completely of my tastebuds having that sugary taste (fake sugars) and cut it all out as to have an easier time overall to not have impulse issues with it. But then again I think if I don't allow myself anything when craving something-I will not be able to think properly (I do have ocd as well) until I am "satisfied" by something. The other night I was pretty good and had one pudding. But then last night I had a 1/4 of a huge cheesecake and that was about half of what I would eat before...secretly...but this was at dinner out at my mother's house so didn't feel very in control like at home the last couple of weeks.
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Cut out? Have set treats I can have?
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Replies
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How about see a therapist to get your issues under control before you move onto your next compulsion. The food isn't the problem, your thinking is.0
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BED is hard.. Not sure if you're lucky enough to find someone in your area that deals with this disorder, if so that's a great start. There are some very good BED (binge eating disorder) groups on MFP. Check those out and I think you'll find some helpful tips on how others work to grab control.I am a compulsive (sugar) binger. I used to have borderline issues with alcohol, (quit all), smoking (quit 4.5 years ago), and then turned to food. I have an impulse control disorder (lol) and I will hide and binge on certain foods (sweet stuff/chocolate/pies/cookies/streudels,etc) in this feeling of filling myself up , and before someone else gets it...so complicated. Anyhow, I have gained about 70lbs on my shorter stature, have developed gallstones and other issues and feel like I will die if I don't stop my habits.
Here is what I am not sure about and having trouble. I can't moderate well. If it's there, I will eat it. I can't stop until it's gone. I feel a little like I need to get out of habit completely of my tastebuds having that sugary taste (fake sugars) and cut it all out as to have an easier time overall to not have impulse issues with it. But then again I think if I don't allow myself anything when craving something-I will not be able to think properly (I do have ocd as well) until I am "satisfied" by something. The other night I was pretty good and had one pudding. But then last night I had a 1/4 of a huge cheesecake and that was about half of what I would eat before...secretly...but this was at dinner out at my mother's house so didn't feel very in control like at home the last couple of weeks.
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Cut out? Have set treats I can have?
Regarding alcohol, food, smoking etc., they can all become addictions because they hit the pleasure center of our brain. Some of us simply are unfortunate and have addictive personalities. So pleased you've been able to give up some of them, Congratulations, that's huge!!:drinker: Sometimes what happens to us is we exchange one addiction for another which is sounds like might be the case.
One on one therapy can take you through this because if you find someone that can get to the root of your issue, making changes is much more successful when someone can help you sort it all out. Sounds like you've found some reasons already while reflecting.. I bolded them up above.
Like alcohol, cigs, gambling or whatever compulsion we have, it's more about the why we feel we need that 'fix' than the item itself, though that item is giving us some sort of comfort at the time.
It's too much to work out on a website (or even this lengthy PM:blushing: ) but it can be worked through. MFP can help you moderate by teaching you to plan your meals and you work on eating only that. It's not easy and it likely won't be easy for awhile. But to make simple changes until you find someone to help you get more to the reason behind all this.
Hon, this is NOT anything to be ashamed about... we all come from various backgrounds on here. Not everyone is able to share them as openly as you and for that I wanted to tell you how proud of you I am!
There are ppl that have overcome binge eating... there are many that are working hard on it. If it has to be one minute at a time, one second at a time... whatever it takes to steel your mind to stay on track (and I don't mean just food).
Today is Day #4 for me with no binging (no sugars or other simple junky carbs).. I'm over the moon!
: It's like kicking an addiction because that's exactly what it is to me... I have a long ways to go but I made it nearly through day 4 and my worst cravings are gone but that doesn't mean I can take it for granted.:noway:
Take care Hon.. if you made it through the whole thing.
I hope it helped a bit at least. Go check out those groups!:flowerforyou:
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I agree with the other commenters; you might be best off to see a therapist/professional of some kind to help you control these impulses rather than turning to an eating strategy.
That said, why not try multiple techniques and see what fits best? Try moderation for a while, then having set treats, then cutting it off entirely, and see which one helped you the most. Give each technique a good long while though - like a month at least - so that you can really see how it works in practice. There's nothing wrong with any of these choices if they work for you.0 -
I agree that it might be beneficial to see someone.
That said, I have the same compulsions (though not quite to that scale). I've found after trial and error over the past two years that I am simply unable to eat sweets in moderation. Completely giving them up seems to be the only thing that works for me.0 -
I'm a compulsive sugar eater, too. Once I start, I can't stop. I don't buy any junk food or sweets anymore, so I don't have a problem at home. My office is loaded with sweets and junk, though. It's very hard to get through the day. I do better if I don't eat any sweets at all.
What works for me:
(1) eat a piece of fruit instead
(2) If I must have something sweet, then I buy a chocolate protein shake, which gives me the sweet and also has nutrition
(3) drink a lot of water
(4) substitute something else -- lately I stop and do calisthenics and try to see how many push ups, squats, etc. I can do. That takes my mind off the junk food.
(5) I make sure to eat regular meals so I am never hungry at work where I will be likely to grab junk.
Editing my post to say I agree with everyone else that therapy would probably help. Best wishes to you. And congrats on conquering the other addictions. Those are major accomplishments.0 -
I agree with the therapy idea since your habits are probably caused by an underlying issue. In the meantime, I'm reading a book called "Have Your Cake and Skinny Jeans Too" that deals a lot with binge eating. I haven't finished it yet so I can't vouch for its effectiveness but it was cheap and it might be worth the read for you. So far it seems like her idea is that deprivation leads to binging and the key is to eat what you want but only when you really are hungry and stop when you're full. But like I said, I haven't finished it yet.0
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Don't bring home bags of cookies or whole cakes, but plan for/have a sweet treat once in a while. I'm a huge sugar junkie, and if it comes home with me, I'm eating it that night. So, I have my treats when I'm out and about or just bring home what I plan to eat right away. You still have to learn some restraint, but like anything else, it takes practice and will get easier. OCD or not. Trust me. :P
Find a sweet treat you can handle having in the house, and save that for the end of the day. You'll have it to look forward to, and it can help you resist other temptations.0 -
(1) eat a piece of fruit instead
And I agree with this, particularly bananas.0 -
I am pretty much like this. I don't eat an Oreo cookie, I eat a whole bag of them. I don't eat a doughnut, I eat a dozen. This is why I completely cut out "sweets" from my diet (not fruit, however). It was 2.5 years without having any type of refined sugar sweets at all. Then I took a family trip to Disney World about a month ago. I officially "fell off the wagon" so to speak because I will probably never get to go to DW again, and the food there is so amazing. I felt it was time to indulge for a week.
When I got back, I craved sweets SO HARD! There were a couple of times in the week after returning that I bought a package of sweets and ate the whole thing. I think I was also depressed from having to come back down to the real world.
Since then, I've steeled myself against the cravings and they are starting to dissipate. Long story short, I pretty much have to cut them out completely as I simply can't go based on moderation.
Now, besides fruit, the only sweet thing I really consume would be my protein shakes, but they've never given me any issue, and I have always thought of them as more of a utility meal rather than a sweet snack.0 -
How about see a therapist to get your issues under control before you move onto your next compulsion. The food isn't the problem, your thinking is.
Good point. Will be looking into something today
0 -
BED is hard.. Not sure if you're lucky enough to find someone in your area that deals with this disorder, if so that's a great start. There are some very good BED (binge eating disorder) groups on MFP. Check those out and I think you'll find some helpful tips on how others work to grab control.I am a compulsive (sugar) binger. I used to have borderline issues with alcohol, (quit all), smoking (quit 4.5 years ago), and then turned to food. I have an impulse control disorder (lol) and I will hide and binge on certain foods (sweet stuff/chocolate/pies/cookies/streudels,etc) in this feeling of filling myself up , and before someone else gets it...so complicated. Anyhow, I have gained about 70lbs on my shorter stature, have developed gallstones and other issues and feel like I will die if I don't stop my habits.
Here is what I am not sure about and having trouble. I can't moderate well. If it's there, I will eat it. I can't stop until it's gone. I feel a little like I need to get out of habit completely of my tastebuds having that sugary taste (fake sugars) and cut it all out as to have an easier time overall to not have impulse issues with it. But then again I think if I don't allow myself anything when craving something-I will not be able to think properly (I do have ocd as well) until I am "satisfied" by something. The other night I was pretty good and had one pudding. But then last night I had a 1/4 of a huge cheesecake and that was about half of what I would eat before...secretly...but this was at dinner out at my mother's house so didn't feel very in control like at home the last couple of weeks.
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Cut out? Have set treats I can have?
Regarding alcohol, food, smoking etc., they can all become addictions because they hit the pleasure center of our brain. Some of us simply are unfortunate and have addictive personalities. So pleased you've been able to give up some of them, Congratulations, that's huge!!:drinker: Sometimes what happens to us is we exchange one addiction for another which is sounds like might be the case.
One on one therapy can take you through this because if you find someone that can get to the root of your issue, making changes is much more successful when someone can help you sort it all out. Sounds like you've found some reasons already while reflecting.. I bolded them up above.
Like alcohol, cigs, gambling or whatever compulsion we have, it's more about the why we feel we need that 'fix' than the item itself, though that item is giving us some sort of comfort at the time.
It's too much to work out on a website (or even this lengthy PM:blushing: ) but it can be worked through. MFP can help you moderate by teaching you to plan your meals and you work on eating only that. It's not easy and it likely won't be easy for awhile. But to make simple changes until you find someone to help you get more to the reason behind all this.
Hon, this is NOT anything to be ashamed about... we all come from various backgrounds on here. Not everyone is able to share them as openly as you and for that I wanted to tell you how proud of you I am!
There are ppl that have overcome binge eating... there are many that are working hard on it. If it has to be one minute at a time, one second at a time... whatever it takes to steel your mind to stay on track (and I don't mean just food).
Today is Day #4 for me with no binging (no sugars or other simple junky carbs).. I'm over the moon! : It's like kicking an addiction because that's exactly what it is to me... I have a long ways to go but I made it nearly through day 4 and my worst cravings are gone but that doesn't mean I can take it for granted.:noway:
Take care Hon.. if you made it through the whole thing. I hope it helped a bit at least. Go check out those groups!:flowerforyou:
Hearts
I'm completely in tears. Full on wet face lol. This..is so entirely special to me. Thank you!
I have yet to read the other responses yet but thank you all for your help and advice and experiences. It really means a lot to me today!!!0
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