I cannot control my appetite or binging
htoug
Posts: 2 Member
Like, honestly cannot control it whatsoever. If I'm bored, I'll eat. If I want to eat, I'll eat. I'll scavenge the kitchen for random bits of food and eat whatever I can find. I hardly ever eat meals and I usually will eat probably 200 calories worth of carbs as soon as I get home. I'm never satisfied. I usually have to have cereal and a muffin in the morning to not be hungry anymore. I don't get it. Why am I never full unless I stuff my face? And why can't I control my binging and scavenging problem? I'm not overweight, but I'm not at the weight I want to be nor do I look how I want to. Regardless, my eating habits aren't healthy. Does anyone else have this problem that can help?
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carbs seem to make you crave more carbs. if you switch to snacking and eating more meats and veggies you will feel full longer and start eating less. also I know an appetite suppressor can help control it a little bit.-1
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Go see your doctor and ask them.
My unprofessional opinion is that you need to find another outlet when you are bored or feel like eating. I would suggest going for a walk until you don't feel this way. Also possible you need to drink more water and you are dehydrated, dehydration can be felt as hunger pains.
Anyways talk to the doc, drink more water ... and go for walks when hungry away from kitchen!
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I would definitely suggest snacking on some different foods. Try having some string cheese along with an apple and peanut butter or hummus and veggies.
You may also benefit with finding something to do with yourself like adding exercise or reading a book to avoid the boredom eating. I suspect changing up WHAT you eat will change how much you eat.0 -
Which weight do you want to be, and are you now?
And to be honest....people can give you a lot of advice and info what to eat or what not to eat.
But it is only you who have to get a grip on your eating habits. There are no good or bad foods. Only eating the right amount of calories.
When i look at your profile picture, you dont have to lose weight ( i can be wrong of course) so maybe dont worry to much?0 -
Start making your own meals. You know whats in it then and you can make sure your hitting your targets.
Make a list of healthy foods which are high in nutrients and low in fat. Stick to these.
Eat lean protein a lot more. It's generally low in fat and cals. Plus it can fill you up.
Fill your meals out with leafy greens.
Be regimented in your approach, no excuses. Determination.
Will be hard at first but your mind and body will adapt and it will become the norm for you. At the moment you sound physiologically geared up for binge eating; make the change
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We can't be your will-power for you. If you want to lose weight you have to learn how to control yourself.
I suggest doing some research, finding foods you like that fill you up and planning ahead. Cereal or a muffin is not "bad" - it just is what it is. If that's what leaves you feeling full, then so be it. I would suggest pairing them with something with protein and looking for a cereal or muffin with fiber to help you feel full longer. You don't need to never eat carbs to be healthy - that's just the latest popular diet.
Also, as far as planning ahead goes - it sounds like you've identified your problem areas already (binging when you get home), so have a healthier snack ready to go so you don't eat things you don't want to just because they're easier. That being said there is no such thing as bad food... I eat chips and ice cream and whatever the hell I want here and there... just I measure them out and make sure they fit in my daily caloric intake. Other people will tell you this too, but a digital scale is seriously a game changer.
Good luck!0 -
Based upon your post, you are clearly starving your body of nutrients by not feeding it properly. This will forever and always lead to hunger and binges. My step mother does this exact thing and the older she has gotten, the more out of control her weight has become. She has completely derailed her metabolism.
Try eating 6 (every 2 hours) small meals per day containing protein, fruit, vegetables. Good carbs for energy- Oatmeal, banana, Greek yogurt, grapes, watermelon, chia seeds, etc. Makes each meal around 200 calories if you are following a 1200 calorie per day diet.
Doing this, is not only healthy, it also keeps you from getting hungry between meals because you are eating every 2 hours. That will also keep the binge-monster at bay.0 -
Like, honestly cannot control it whatsoever. If I'm bored, I'll eat. If I want to eat, I'll eat. I'll scavenge the kitchen for random bits of food and eat whatever I can find. I hardly ever eat meals and I usually will eat probably 200 calories worth of carbs as soon as I get home. I'm never satisfied. I usually have to have cereal and a muffin in the morning to not be hungry anymore. I don't get it. Why am I never full unless I stuff my face? And why can't I control my binging and scavenging problem? I'm not overweight, but I'm not at the weight I want to be nor do I look how I want to. Regardless, my eating habits aren't healthy. Does anyone else have this problem that can help?
Seems like you are using food to replace something. Maybe you eat out of boredom or to satisfy some emotional issue. I got like this with sugary foods at one point. I didn't eat lunch I would just eat a bag of sweets. It was weird. I used to skip breakfast and just drink coffee. I used to crave caffeine and sugar.
I would have a very low appetite but it would really increase sometimes. I would snack without much thought. Then feel guilty. You could naturally have a hearty appetite (which isn't a bad thing) but eating carbs is always a tricky one. Maybe try to snack on small healthy things throughout the day. Fruit is great for this!0 -
TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »There are no good or bad foods. Only eating the right amount of calories.
I'd have to strongly disagree. You can have a small chocolate bar, or a generous bowl of steamed veggies and dahl - same amount of calories, but I bet I know which one will send you lurking in the cupboards 30min later!
The type of food that you eat makes a massive difference. Don't deny yourself food and make yourself miserable - instead, try snacking on low carb/higher protein things, do a little but of research, it's what's going to get you there in the long run.
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Get up and go do something in a place without readily available snacks.
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I agree with a little less carbs, then add a bit more protein and healthy fats, i.e. olive oil, sour cream, etc,. And, drink your water. The protein and fats help keep you full longer. The water is necessary for health. Good luck.0
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It's good that you're getting ahead of this now! I echo the previous poster: carbs (especially sugary or highly processed ones) make you crave more carbs, and more food in general. Be sure to eat protein/fat with each meal. Do some internet research on that to keep yourself busy when you're tempted to scavenge.
If I hang out in the kitchen all day, I'm pretty much doomed to "graze" my way into overeating. Leave the kitchen. Create a peaceful oasis for yourself somewhere else in your home--your living room or bedroom, maybe. Or outside.
Go for a walk.
Drink water, more water, unsweetened tea or coffee, and more water.
Try a cut-off time for your eating.
Best of luck! It's great that you're addressing a slippery bad habit before it wreaks havoc with your health.0 -
Feeling out of control when eating is a problem. Talking to a doctor is a very good idea, and consider perhaps finding a support group in your area for binge eating disorders. Also, finding people here on MFP who are in similar situations is helpful! I have problems controlling my binging, too - especially when tired, or bored, as others have suggested.0
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Keep yourself busy. Go for a walk, read a book, do a crossword, etc. If I get bored, I will literally eat everything in my house.0
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If you're not eating meals, of course your body is hungry for a quick fix. Try eating at least breakfast, lunch, and dinner and see how you do. You can always tweak it later if you're hungrier in the morning or at night, etc.0
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I used to have this problem. These things helped me, maybe they can help you.
I started eating real meals. I used to wait long periods of time before eating thinking that it would be better if I saved calories and I would just end up snacking and bingeing. If you are hungry, eat an actual meal, not a meal of snacks.
Adjust your calorie goal, if its too aggressive you will always be hungry which can lead to a binge.
Drink more water and try to find something to do when you aren't really hungry but just want to eat.0 -
Depends on the person. That's why it's not just about whether a food is "good" or "bad."KatsuNinja wrote: »TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »There are no good or bad foods. Only eating the right amount of calories.
I'd have to strongly disagree. You can have a small chocolate bar, or a generous bowl of steamed veggies and dahl - same amount of calories, but I bet I know which one will send you lurking in the cupboards 30min later!
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Like, honestly cannot control it whatsoever. If I'm bored, I'll eat. If I want to eat, I'll eat. I'll scavenge the kitchen for random bits of food and eat whatever I can find. I hardly ever eat meals and I usually will eat probably 200 calories worth of carbs as soon as I get home. I'm never satisfied. I usually have to have cereal and a muffin in the morning to not be hungry anymore. I don't get it. Why am I never full unless I stuff my face? And why can't I control my binging and scavenging problem? I'm not overweight, but I'm not at the weight I want to be nor do I look how I want to. Regardless, my eating habits aren't healthy. Does anyone else have this problem that can help?
Ask yourself:
-When I eat, am I genuinely hungry? Or is there some cue, like arriving home from work, that sends the signal to my brain?
-Can I prepare snacks/small meals in advance if I really am hungry?
-Can I reroute myself so that I walk, do yoga, or play on the internet when I'm bored?
I used to be a grazer, but I shifted to meals. I holed up in my bedroom to avoid the kitchen area. My hunger was frequently psychological.
I started eating more protein and drinking more water too. -58 pounds to date.0 -
Hi...same hia...but I usually crave carbs when im a week close to my periods. ..the hunger demons set in at that time...I virtually crave carbs...anything chocolate ir cocoa andcupcakes.. funny enuf these cravings diappear wen d periods come. Help... im on d Cambridge diet!!!
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bintaisa99 wrote: »Hi...same hia...but I usually crave carbs when im a week close to my periods. ..the hunger demons set in at that time...I virtually crave carbs...anything chocolate ir cocoa andcupcakes.. funny enuf these cravings diappear wen d periods come. Help... im on d Cambridge diet!!!
For me, it's about three days a month, so I just go for it. Log every bite and move on. I try to have a store of exercise calories from the days before but if I don't, no worries.
If the Cambridge Diet is too restrictive, stop it. All you need to lose weight is a caloric deficit (excluding health problems).0 -
Have you tried simply weighing (with a food scale) and logging everything you're currently eating? Every bite, nibble, etc. You can even use your MFP diary to break up the day the way you normally do, like, "Before work" "during work" "after work" "after 8 pm." That way you can start seeing patterns. Before you ever cut calories or change your macros, you need to know exactly what you're currently doing. It also might make you more contentious. Instead of nibbling on bits of crackers, putting 5 on a food scale and then logging them before eating them is an extra step or two. In that time, you may find you're not as interested in eating them.
After you have about a week of data you can decide where you want to make improvements on your habits.
There may be a psychological aspect that you need to address, as @Tedebearduff is suggesting.0 -
Like, honestly cannot control it whatsoever. If I'm bored, I'll eat. If I want to eat, I'll eat. I'll scavenge the kitchen for random bits of food and eat whatever I can find. I hardly ever eat meals and I usually will eat probably 200 calories worth of carbs as soon as I get home. I'm never satisfied. I usually have to have cereal and a muffin in the morning to not be hungry anymore. I don't get it. Why am I never full unless I stuff my face? And why can't I control my binging and scavenging problem? I'm not overweight, but I'm not at the weight I want to be nor do I look how I want to. Regardless, my eating habits aren't healthy. Does anyone else have this problem that can help?
PGX really helps me! Try also drinking water just before you eat. I eat protein at every meal. The trick for me is to eat before I am even hungry. I usually will take my PGX right when I wake up with a large glass of water. Then When I do eat I eat protein. I like vega greens and protein shake mixed with blueberries, spinach and maybe some carrots, oh and some u sweetensd almond milk. You will need your fats too. So I have a slice of spelt bread toasted with natural peanut butter. This breakfast gets me off to a good start. Try to eat every 2 to 3 hours.
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You said you hardly ever eat meals? Maybe that's the problem. Eat larger meals to help you stay fuller? And drink some sparkling water when you feel like snacking? Keep a book close to you for when you're bored?0
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You can control it. You just need to focus and work on control. I'm the same way. I'll be bored and I'll just eat even though I know I shouldn't and suddenly I just wasted half my calories. If you're bored, focus on finding another hobby rather than thinking about food. Next time you want to binge have some pre-prepared vegetables or healthy fruit and set portions. It's just something you have to work on. Try to drink more water so you don't feel hungry before meals and make sure your meals are filling.0
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That was me! I just started a low carb high fat diet and have been able to stay in my 1200 calorie goal. I don't snack anymore because I'm always satisfied. No hunger pains. For boredom eating I'll go for a walk or start a home project (cleaning, fixing something, gardening etc)0
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I hardly ever eat meals....And why can't I control my binging and scavenging problem?
Everyone is different, but for me these two things would be related. If I rely on just snacking I don't get full and I tend to eat too much of things that aren't very filling (like muffins). If I have a reasonable meal schedule and eat balanced meals with protein and vegetables and healthy fats, along with some starchy carbs, I tend not to be hungry between meals and have an easier time just telling myself to wait until my next meal.
Having a plan really helps. Assuming you can just wing it and tell yourself not to eat makes it much harder than it needs to be.0 -
RePlan, RePlace, ReWire.... You have to do this.
First RePlan..you need to plan ahead so if you do need to EAT you EAT smarter than before. Make sure you plan to eat an hour before you get home. you know that's a guaranteed binge time so beat it. Specifically have on hand what you PLAN to binge on. Berries, Carrots, Nuts, Carrots. Whatever it is have it on hand and more readily available than the simple carbs. Have it Preportioned so you grab a snack bag of carrots and you burn through them you mentally have to accept that you are going to burn through a second bag of carrots.
Replace... Anytime we have a bad habit we don't just quit doing the bad habit we replace the bad habit with a different habit the brain changes what satisfies its triggers. So you need to find a replacement. Step one is Replanning; planning ahead for that craving is a really good step but I want to encourage you to try activity during the craving either as an alternative or in addition to it. So when that craving comes. Stop; say this is my time to change I'm going to eat a healthier choice and I'm going to go walk for 10 -15 minutes. As soon as you start to walk away from that bad food your cravings will subside and each time you successfully choose against the cravings you are building a stronger and stronger willpower to overcome the most difficult times. Don't give into that mental weakness replace that habit of eating with a new better habit.
Rewire...do this consistently and one day you will realize HAH! I BEAT IT!
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Just posted this on another thread but it applies here as well. I suspect you're not getting enough protein and/or fiber.
Tips on how to feel fuller
So how can we best try to enhance these feelings of fullness to help us control how much we eat? Here are some top tips for helping you feel fuller:- Foods high in protein seem to make us feel fuller than foods high in fat or carbohydrate, so including some protein at every meal should help keep you satisfied. Foods high in protein include meats such as chicken, ham or beef, fish, eggs, beans and pulses.
- If you are watching your weight, opt for lower fat versions, using leaner cuts of meat, cutting off visible fat and avoiding the skin on poultry as this will help reduce the energy density of the diet, which can help to enhance satiety (see below).
- Foods that are high in fibre may also enhance feelings of fullness so try to include plenty of high-fibre foods in the diet such as wholegrain bread and cereals, beans and pulses and fruit and vegetables.
- Alcohol seems to stimulate appetite in the short-term and therefore drinking alcohol is likely to encourage us to eat more. Alcoholic beverages can make you forget about your intentions to eat healthily by making you lose your inhibitions. Alcoholic drinks are also calorific, so you should cut down on alcohol consumption if you are trying to control your weight.
- The ‘energy density’ of food has a strong influence on feelings of fullness or satiety. Energy density is the amount of energy (or calories) per gram of food. Lower energy density foods provide less energy per gram of food so you can eat more of them without consuming too many calories. Low energy density foods include fruit and vegetables, foods with lots of water added when cooking such as soups and stews, and lower fat foods. Click here for more information on energy density.
Read more: http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html0 -
Logging a cheat before I ate it helped me. If I wanted something sweet and I was having a bad day, I would allow myself the treat, but I would record it in the app and watch its affect on my calorie intake for the day. That way, I was acknowledging that I was eating a cheat, that I would go over my daily allotment, and that I would have to face the possible consequences from over-indulging.
Logging it beforehand also helped keep me from mentally "writing off" the cheat and grabbing something else five minutes later. And, more times than not, seeing the overage on my report helped keep me on track the next day.
Everyone's different and it does come down to willpower and taking responsibility for your own decisions (even if they were hastily made), but really - LOG EVERYTHING. Seeing it really does help keep yourself accountable.
(Addendum: I would encourage you - if you make the decision to cheat or binge, don't give up on the day afterward. So many times, I'd get depressed and then keep eating because "the day is already shot, so it doesn't matter". When I changed that to "I made a mistake this morning, but I've got the rest of the day to get back on track", or "Friday night was bad, but let's make the rest of the weekend good" it made a huge difference.)0 -
KatsuNinja wrote: »TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »There are no good or bad foods. Only eating the right amount of calories.
I'd have to strongly disagree. You can have a small chocolate bar, or a generous bowl of steamed veggies and dahl - same amount of calories, but I bet I know which one will send you lurking in the cupboards 30min later!
The type of food that you eat makes a massive difference. Don't deny yourself food and make yourself miserable - instead, try snacking on low carb/higher protein things, do a little but of research, it's what's going to get you there in the long run.
Absolutely
Only on MFP have is seen people attempt to argue that a honey bun and bowl of black beans are equal foods when the calorie count is equal.
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