EMOTIONAL EATING

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What FOOD is your go-to alternative when you feel you are about to binge eat?

ALHughes8
ALHughes8 Posts: 12 Member
edited 12:00AM in Social Groups
I know turning to non-food alternatives, or even better - resolving the EMOTIONAL issue - is best. BUT, sometimes, honestly, I just don't WANT to resolve it, I just need to eat something!

What is your go-to? Chew a piece of gum? An apple? A drink of some sort? Curious as to what works for you guys to satisfy your craving when you feel you're about to binge.
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Replies

  • Embera
    Embera Posts: 289 Member
    sometimes to avoid cravings and things i do gum because who wants something with mint they dont go well together most of the time like i was working at a restaurant and everyone would eat extra fries to to avoid it i would chew gum cuz it wasn't worth trying to switch it
  • fruitydelicious
    fruitydelicious Posts: 623 Member
    Hmmmm - grilled New York strip- it makes everything in the world ok again because all I can think about is how yummy it is!!! And yes, I have driven to the store just to buy steak. And yes, I have sent hubby to the store to buy steak - he wasn't complaining!!!
  • ahealthiercara
    ahealthiercara Posts: 139 Member
    I have access to so many yummy snacks where i work. I am tempted often and have found myself reaching for gum instead. Its very sweet (xylichew) and keeps me distracted enough to get past wanting to eat food. At home i drink water and and try to remember to eat an apple first. That usually satisfies me.
  • BringingSherriBack
    BringingSherriBack Posts: 607 Member
    Chewing gum and drinking water. Those usually help but when they don't I usually just get a small portion (snack size bag of chips, regular size candy bar, single scoop of ice cream) of whatever it is I am wanting because I have learned that when that craving doesn't seem to go away I am truly just better off to eat the small portion of whatever it is I am craving and then I'm good. Where as if I try to "eat around" a craving that won't go away by eating apples, veggies, protien bar, etc., I usually still have the craving and end up eating whatever it was to begin with but now I've eaten a couple hundred or more calories of other "healthy" stuff plus the craved food so I've done worse than if I had just eaten the "forbidden" food when the craving didn't go away earlier.
  • saitiffeh
    saitiffeh Posts: 251 Member
    Yogurt covered raisins! They taste like you are eating straight chocolate and really kill the cravings!
  • Embera
    Embera Posts: 289 Member
    yogurt covered anything is so sweet it hurts my teeth some times and its higher calories than you would think
  • Sherryfood95
    Sherryfood95 Posts: 58 Member
    Sometimes I just want to eat as in the act of chewing. So tried the old celery sticks which surprisingly worked well. Depends on the driving force but if it's just eatting I'd give those a try.
  • brb2008
    brb2008 Posts: 406 Member
    I honestly can't start or I wont stop. It has to be that simple or I will never recover from this problem. I will brush my teeth extra well and go read or talk to someone if needed. Gum would only stimulate my stomach into wanting food, even if I'm not physically hungry.
  • shroodle88
    shroodle88 Posts: 123 Member
    Carrots. Sounds crazy, I know, but it the crunching reliefs the tension.
  • Dootzy1
    Dootzy1 Posts: 2,356 Member
    Pistachios- in the shell. You have to work at it, and it feels like you're eating something that is nutritious. Plus, they can be a little pricey, so I portion them out to make them last longer!
  • rungrrl
    rungrrl Posts: 25 Member
    sunflower seeds - the whole pack tacks a while to eat and there is something about taking them out of the shell with my teeth then crunching on them helps TONS with cravings. If it is something sweet, I will do a 1-2 tbps of raw almond butter.
  • rungrrl
    rungrrl Posts: 25 Member
    brb2008 wrote: »
    I honestly can't start or I wont stop. It has to be that simple or I will never recover from this problem. I will brush my teeth extra well and go read or talk to someone if needed. Gum would only stimulate my stomach into wanting food, even if I'm not physically hungry.

    This is exactly why I don't do cheat days ever. Gum does the same thing and just makes me want to eat sweet things. I just stay away from it all.
  • fireball1970
    fireball1970 Posts: 38 Member
    I go for low carb alternatives, like pork rinds, pickles, olives or celery. These foods keep me from getting on a binge where I just can't stop.
  • Mekatluvr
    Mekatluvr Posts: 34 Member
    When my emotions are running high and I want EVERYTHING that's not good for me, I turn to low carb alternatives. For example, when I'm really stressed with work and school I normally want salty foods like Cheetos. So instead of reaching for a bag of Cheetos I reach for cheese and pickles. I know that sounds weird, but I realize that what I'm craving for is the salt with the cheesy flavor. It really helps me a lot. Plus, I make myself "taste" what I'm eating and not scarf it down. Along with this I drink plenty of water or I chomp on crushed ice. :)
  • rungrrl
    rungrrl Posts: 25 Member
    hmmm chomping on ice is something I never thought of, I am gonna give that a try.
  • ewoksrule3
    ewoksrule3 Posts: 230 Member
    My teeth hurt just thinking about you guys crunching ice! lol!
  • kdcomstock89
    kdcomstock89 Posts: 54 Member
    Air popped popcorn is one of my favorites.
  • elize7
    elize7 Posts: 1,088 Member
    I do a modified bullet proof coffee - with cream, stevia, coconut oil, and a heaping teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. It satisfies my sweet tooth and the cream and coconut oil fill me up. Low carb so it doesn't hurt my diet. Works pretty good. I have a pretty intense binging history.
  • VermontRebecca47
    VermontRebecca47 Posts: 7 Member
    For me it's cheese and chocolate usually as a bedtime snack.
  • hlcavalieri
    hlcavalieri Posts: 28 Member
    I am going to be honest. As someone who has a severe issue with over eating, binge eating, and any other unhealthy relationships with food, I am not ALWAYS going to be strong enough to chose water or gum when I'm having that craving. With that being said, I try to prepackage some of my craved foods like peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets, or special k cracker chips. this way i get to satisfy that need for something yummy, but the option to over eat is not there. Also, I keep a dark chocolate bar (the good cocoa stuff) and i allow myself one square. It has to be give and take with this, or else you wont stick to it! Stay strong guys, it will be worth it!! Add me, Lets inspire each other! :)
  • rollinskae
    rollinskae Posts: 39 Member
    I usually go for a hot cup of coffee - with about a tablespoon of my favorite creamer - to satisfy hunger or a sweet craving or both. It's very low calorie and works like a charm! If it's close to bedtime, I brew an herbal tea and put in a few drops of stevia.
  • ladycclear
    ladycclear Posts: 50 Member
    Popcorn. Homemade. The sound. The smell. The feel. The crunch.

    I heat coconut oil, insert nonGMO kernels, heat and shake shake shake then season--cayenne or cinnamon, salt or cumin or garlic. The whole exercise of making popcorn helps calm me. Watching it so it doesn't burn. Popcorn is good for my emotional eating. I'm connected with popcorn.

    I'm looking for more support in mfp, so please message or add me. I've got a ways to go before I am totally healed.
  • Katerihall25
    Katerihall25 Posts: 3 Member
    dannon greej yogurt is mine. super healthy ans tastes great. protein power snack all the way.
  • iluvnufoods
    iluvnufoods Posts: 45 Member
    Carrots and hummus.
  • HG93022
    HG93022 Posts: 80 Member
    I'm having this issue right now. Sigh. I am chewing gum, but it is the last piece I have here at work. Hopefully once it loses its flavor I will be over the false need to eat more!
  • sqhsmith
    sqhsmith Posts: 3 Member
    A hot cup of bouillon is really helpful to me. I crave salty things when I am stressed. I thought it was a crunchy thing, but it's really the salt.
  • Onestep211
    Onestep211 Posts: 8 Member
    edited January 2016
    "As someone who has a severe issue with over eating, binge eating, and any other unhealthy relationships with food, I am not ALWAYS going to be strong enough to chose water or gum when I'm having that craving. With that being said, I try to prepackage some of my craved foods like peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets, or special k cracker chips. this way i get to satisfy that need for something yummy, but the option to over eat is not there. "

    Me too. I love the idea of portioning out the binge foods. One of my problem foods is Oreos... So instead of buyingn them, I get the chocolate decadence biscotti- the biscotti aren't so great that I will eat the whole box, but one of them will satisfy that cookie craving.
  • Q_Is_Poison
    Q_Is_Poison Posts: 203 Member
    Diet Coke. Celery. Cucumber with lemon and salt. Baby Carrots. Fresh Broccoli. Eat about a hundred calories worth and your hunger will be gone. Do NOT eat sugar, potato chips, or any other junk that will stimulate your appetite and make you eat more.
  • Karlotta50
    Karlotta50 Posts: 8 Member
    ladycclear wrote: »
    Popcorn. Homemade. The sound. The smell. The feel. The crunch.

    I heat coconut oil, insert nonGMO kernels, heat and shake shake shake then season--cayenne or cinnamon, salt or cumin or garlic. The whole exercise of making popcorn helps calm me. Watching it so it doesn't burn. Popcorn is good for my emotional eating. I'm connected with popcorn.

    I'm looking for more support in mfp, so please message or add me. I've got a ways to go before I am totally healed.
    I love the popcorn idea cooked at home. I usually get the 100 cal bags.
  • dietdiva323
    dietdiva323 Posts: 4 Member
    Salty craving- Kettle corn popcorn. I go for the Orville Redenbaucher where the bag turns into a bowl you can eat the popcorn from. It's quick to make. Takes a while to finish. Only about 100 calories for the bag. I use iced coffee with a little artificial sweetener when I'm craving sweets.
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