How to surive food addiction?

I'm in the same boat. So far, the only thing that seems to help me is taking it one day at a time. I found that while the slipups were not good, if I beat myself up too badly over them I couldn't ever seem to get back on track. Also, I tend to drink alot of water. It seems that the more I drink, the less I have the desire to down a whole pizza. I still have those days, and I think I always will. I'm just trying to have fewer of them.

Just take it one day at a time, do what you can each day, and remember you are NOT alone in this

I have been dealing with my food addiction for several years now. I first had to admit to myself that I had a problem with food. I stress eat as well, and still do. But I am working on it daily.

What has helped FOR ME is eating 3 healthy, well balanced meals and eating snacks in between those meals. I eat about every 3 hours. I choose healthier options vs the unhealthy ones. Logging my intake helps me realize just HOW many calories I am consuming and will make me think twice before grabbing that chocolate donut. And I take each day as it comes. I try my best each day. I do not set huge goals for myself, such as "lose 50 lbs by August" because I don't want to feel like a huge failure if I don't meet that goal, so I do weekly goals.
good luck hun.

i had to really suffer the first week. i forced myself to eat tiny meals several times a day in order to "shrink" my stomach. it worked a little but, when i needed that full feeling, what really helped was protein shakes and HUGE raw veggie salads with fat free dressing, it was literally "bigger" than 2lbs of pasta, but was probably 300 calories. after a while i didn't need as much food, and now eating too much makes me sick. i also got those tofu noodles that are really low in calories. they don't taste great, but if u find a good sauce they're ok. those are another thing i have that helps me with those cravings.

If it is a true food addiction have you thought about counseling? Perhaps with a therapist or maybe joining Overeaters Annonymous? Any real addiction is serious and should be dealt with. There are also things you can do on your own if the counseling is not an option for you for whatever reason. If you are going to eat a lot you could fill up on non-calorie dense foods- like veggies and fruits--- if you are able to control that. You can also keep a journal for your binges- writing what time you ate, what you ate and what you were feeling- physically and emotionally. It's not always easy to dealwith emotions but it's necessary for optimal health and peace of mind. There is also an interesting book and/or website called Shrink Yourself that may be helpful.
There are lots of options. I don't know that I would try to go back to eating only once a day. If you only did that every once in a while it's not too bad, but doing that on a regular basis is not good for your body, it will probably slow down your metabolism so it would work against you. Being 5'10 and 120lbs you were likely underweight and unhealthy. Depending on your body type, musclemass, etc... you should probably be between 130-150. If you were unhealthy at that weight and were happy then you may have body image problems and/or eating disorders that will need help. Anyway, a lot of people have given a lot of good advice, find out what works for you, but maybe pay particular attention to those who have had eating disorders... Good luck

I've had that same issue. I loved feeling full like I couldn't eat anymore.

So I still eat about 4 meals a day. About 1500 calories a day. But I drink a TON of water with every meal and snack so that I can still get that full feeling without the calories. You end up going to the bathroom a lot but that's not really that bad.

Eventually I learned to be satisfied with a 'not hungry anymore' feeling instead of a 'i'm so full i can't possibly eat anymore' feeling.


I also don't keep junk in the house at all. It's a lot easier to resist cravings when you'd have to gut up and actually go to the grocery store to get your junk food.

My best advice is to try Overeaters Anonymous or Food Addicts Anonymous (I think there are a few other similar programs) While my addiction is Alcohol I can only speak great things for 12 step programs. I know it is harder to work with a food addiction because you can't just stop eating like I had to stop drinking. But I do know people who have found success through OA and are now at very managable weights and live happy lives.

If you do decide to go the OA route be prepared to give up CERTAIN foods. I know that one of my friends in OA doesn't eat any wheat products. But someone will work with you to figure out what foods really trigger your addiction. You also could seek medical help. My mom did a doctor supervised program and lost a lot of weight, the problem for her was when she stopped with the supervision her addiction kicked back in. She recently started OA and feels very confident that it will help her out. Feel free to contact me if you need any more information my heat goes out to you!

Once you have a true food addiction you will always have it just like any other addiction. How you eat and what you eat are only a small part of the overall problem of addiction. There are reasons behind the bing, reasons that drives one to shove so much food into their body they feel like the will explode, reasons we except the cycle of justifying a bing and than scold ourselves for doing it after. The guilt and depression behind a food addiction is a tough thing to work thru and for many they may need medical help.These issues need to be dealt with before you can figure out a healthy diet because nothing will work long term for you.
Now if its just a matter of really enjoying food and that full feeling with no past of emotional issues do a little research and preplanning, make small changes, take every day as it comes and learn from it to make a better choice tmrw. Large pizza today med pizza tmrw but log log log that food you can fool your mind but not your body....good luck to all

I believe I also have food addiction. What has worked for me is to eat small (100 calorie) meals every 2-3 hours.. and I'm using meal replacements (Medifast) which keep my sugar levels balanced so I don't get cravings or feel too hungry. It completely changed what I was eating so that food was no longer a choice exactly.. more like just something I take at intervals like a medication. That doesn't mean it's not enjoyable, because I do actually like the foods now that I'm used to them, just not using it the same way. Once a day I have a meal of lean protein and low carb vegetables. Bread, pasta, simple carbs, sugars, even fruits are just not options for me at least until I reach my goal weight. At that point I will still have to limit them forever and be very very careful.. since I believe overeating on those kinds of foods does send me into the same kind of state a drinker gets into.. spacey.. out of control.. etc. I understand this isn't what everyone needs.. but it has allowed me to take a break from my addiction type eating and give up quite a bit of weight fairly painlessly without constant cravings.

The permission to eat something every 2-3 hours is important too so if I get hungry in between that time I drink water.. sometimes Crystal Light .. and just wait. Learning to be patient and realize I can eat.. just not now.. is helpful. If I get too hungry though... skip or delay too long one of the small meals.. I do get much hungrier and it's more difficult to control portions the next time. That would make me question the wisdom of a once a day eating plan. Also, try to read some things about metabolism and consider using food like fuel. Figure out how your body actually uses it. You don't want to work against yourself and be eating a lot less than you could. I find educating myself very motivating.. but again, not the same for everyone. Best of luck and keep trying until you find what works for you.

Where I was - eating a whole large pizza and 20 wings and 4-5 cups of ranch dressing and a 4-6 beers. I can't imagine how many calories and carbs that was, but it had to be in the thousands/hundreds. Needless to say, I was diagnosed with Diabetes II and my doctor was very concerned about my initial Hemoglobin A1C (13.5).

What I still struggle with - eating all the food. When I'm alone, I have to eat all my food. When I'm with other people, I want to eat all their left over food too. I literally have to bite my tounge not to yell at my kids to eat all their food.

What has helped - just stay away from bread, carb food like chips, pretzels, anything fried, white rice, pasta. If I want to pig out, I allow myself to pig out on fruit, and vegetables. I try to avoid meat, and if I do, then chicken or fish. If I eat beef - try to limit it to "special occasions".

I really try to watch the emotional eating - had a rough day? eat your favorite food. Good day? eat your favorite food. etc.

DRINK WATER/DIET DRINKS - chug 16 oz before going out/eating. Sit down, drink another 16 oz before you eat anything. Drink another 2x16 oz while you're eating. If you can't control yourself and pig out - you know at least 1/2 your "being stuffed" is from water. I say diet drink - because you get 0 cal, same effect - of course it adds to your sodium count, so watch that. Try to drink water - if you must have something sweet - I like a lemon quarter and a pink sweet and low packet in a restaurant glass of water - make instant 0 cal lemonade - and IT"S FREE (usually) on the bill - instead of $2 for a tea/diet drink.

Good luck - at least you've recognized you have a problem, and you're here among friends.

I hope this helps.

PC

My mom has had this problem and it made her existence miserable. Finally when she had enough, she joined Over eaters anonymous and not only did it bring her sanity and more happiness than she's ever had in her life, she's been able to reach and maintain her goal weight for about 8.5 years:)

Sorry I dont have much time so I'll just bullet point a few ideas that might help you!

- Plan out every (healthy!) meal you are going to eat the day before.
- Make a snack list of low calorie, nutritious foods that you can pick one or two from to have with a big glass of water if you get hungry.
- Have a constant 'to do' list, and complete at least one thing from that list if you still feel like you need to binge affter visiting the snack list.
-Try not to have unhealthy foods in the house, if you see them or know they're there, you'll want them. And then, if you're like me, you'll think screw it I've ruined it anyway now and have the whole packet!