Help Anxiety = Compulsive Eating, Cravings or Over Snacking through the day or nite!

darrieux1981
darrieux1981 Posts: 4 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi!
Does anyone eats to calm down, when is anxious ou bored? I guess some do! My case is not bad habits, I eat compulsively, but healthy choices. Sometimes I control myself all day, specially if I'm busy. But at night, I have cravings! Something is missing... Or relaxing is hard!
During the day, I'm facing personal issues that makes me wait a lot, and I get anxious or bored or tired or nervous or stressed... I have some escapes, but food is the one that really relaxes and calms me. It's 3am and I can't get to sleep for no particular reason. I watch movies but I stand up to eat constantly. I had times that I snacked packs and packs of raw baby spinach, to compensate!!!
ANY HINTS, ANY SUGGESTIONS simple and effective? Something to do when I'm about to open the fridge at 1am that makes me stop for example. Friend support is welcome too!
I'm lost when it comes to a solution. I exercise, I do yoga, ... I'm trying to treat my insomnia as well.

Sincerely,
Caroline

Replies

  • missbrunetterapunzel
    missbrunetterapunzel Posts: 1 Member
    I deal with this too! One of the obvious solutions is to drink water, but it really helps! Try to use other ways to calm your anxiety, and keep yourself occupied so you don't want to snack out of boredom. Chewing gum can always help, and if you really can't resist the urge to snack, try to stick to something healthy like nuts for salty cravings or fruit for sweet cravings. And make sure you're eating enough protein!
  • scoii
    scoii Posts: 160 Member
    It's pretty common. I'm a bored eater so I keep busy when I need to shed a few pounds. Keeping busy exercising is obviously the best idea.

    If it's an anxiety issue, you may want to seek some professional help to cut the link you've formed in you mind. Alcoholics, smokers and drug takers aren't too different, just a different vice.
  • displaced1
    displaced1 Posts: 73 Member
    Maybe pick something else to do when you're awake? If you're just watching tv it may be too easy to snack. Perhaps a different hobby, or do some light yoga then? Maybe a calming tea, or a mint (eating something that will make other foods taste weird can be a deterrent), or brush your teeth.
  • LeopardSurd
    LeopardSurd Posts: 6 Member
    missbrunetterapunzel wrote: »
    try to stick to something healthy like nuts for salty cravings or fruit for sweet cravings. And make sure you're eating enough protein!
    The most nuts are a bad deal because of calories intake. Macadamia nuts: 700 kcal/100 g. Cashew about 600 kcal/100.

    I have the same problem and I didn't found a reasonable solution.

  • MorganMoreaux
    MorganMoreaux Posts: 691 Member
    Get some hobbies, don't leave calorie dense snacky foods in the house, tell yourself "no". As for your sleep issues, Relora and melatonin are a great combination - consider herbal suppliments if you are suffering from insomnia - they knock me out. A good kava tincture works wonders for anxiety - Gaia makes ones that is effective and Whole Foods sells it. Better than prescriptions remedies imo as its not addictive. Work on getting on a regular sleep schedule and getting adequate sleep, get you anxiety under control and those will go a long way in helping your diet. Good luck!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I don't think eating calms you down at all, you may think it does, at the moment, but you are clearly upset about eating uncontrollably.

    I think you need to get in a good structure to your day. Set mealtimes and bedtime, pick a schedule, any schedule that you find reasonable, and aim to stick to it. Stop eating and drinking and turn off computer/cell phone at least one hour before bed. Don't get out of bed unless you have to go to the toilet. You won't starve to death.

    Also keep around things to do while you wait. Can you move while you wait, do that. Or bring a book, or take up knitting, or something else you can do with your hands and mind.
  • ziggy2006
    ziggy2006 Posts: 255 Member
    darrieux1981 wrote: »
    Hi!
    During the day, I'm facing personal issues that makes me wait a lot, and I get anxious or bored or tired or nervous or stressed... I have some escapes, but food is the one that really relaxes and calms me.

    This part of your post confuses me - do you mean you do a lot of waiting due to personal issues, facing your personal issues has led to weight gain, or something else? Sorry, it is me - it looks like you got autocorrected and I'm having a difficult time figuring out what you meant to say.

    You describe an unhealthy relationship with food. Food is for sustenance and provides energy for our daily activities. It does not require a relationship. It is not a source of comfort, entertainment, a means to relax, or a way to reduce anxiety. It is time to put food in its proper place by finding other ways to meet the needs currently being met by your relationship with food.

    Focus on building relationships with people. When you need comfort, call a family member, friend, or go online to MFP to find support. If you need support beyond that, consider establishing a relationship with a counselor, especially if you think that might be helpful in dealing with the personal issues you are facing. If possible, think about rescuing a cat/dog from an animal shelter. Though it is not as fulfilling as a strong relationship with another human, it is surprising how much comfort establishing a relationship with an animal can bring to both participants!

    Find ways of entertaining yourself that don't involve food. Activity is a great substitute that can improve your health as well as releasing stress and helping you relax. If you are bored watching TV and want to start munching, go outside for a walk. If it is too late at night or you feel unsafe, put in an exercise DVD. Join a gym that is open 24 hours. Make time to get outside and ride a bike or take a kayak down the river. Take a hike through your local wilderness preserve. And you know that dog that you just rescued will adjust more quickly and demonstrate better behavior if he gets plenty of exercise.

    Hobbies are also great for relaxation and entertainment. Take up knitting, build model planes, do paint-by-number kits, sudoku or crossword puzzles, read the literary works of your favorite author, start some DIY projects around your home - find some hobbies you enjoy and they can reduce your dependence on food.

    Exercise and hobbies may or may not be enough to reduce your anxiety. If your anxiety is negatively impacting your daily life, you really do need to discuss it with a medical doctor. I would advise you to be extremely cautious about using supplements - if they are working to reduce your anxiety, then they are just as powerful as prescription medications, only they are not regulated like medication and you are not using them under the guidance of a professional. If you really feel they are the right choice for you, then at least consult a medical doctor to make sure they are safe and won't cause negative side effects or interact with each other or any medications you might be taking. In my experience, anxiety can be the cause of chronic insomnia, and treating the anxiety can resolve the insomnia, which I find preferable to just treating the symptom and ignoring the cause.


  • st476
    st476 Posts: 357 Member
    I have anxiety and I take valerian root tablets. It's said to help with "insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness". Here's a link about it: https://draxe.com/valerian-root/

    It's herbal/natural, so I'm not sure if it 100% does help or if you even believe that natural things can help (I'm not sure if I do), but there's no harm in taking it. I think it's a better option than heading straight for anxiety medicine or sleeping pills.

    It says it's in a lot of teas that are meant to help with sleep and relax you, so maybe you could try drinking those teas?
  • darrieux1981
    darrieux1981 Posts: 4 Member
    Thank you! Will be on my list of "things to try". I using Delta Waves music and worked yesterday.. . Let's see today
  • darrieux1981
    darrieux1981 Posts: 4 Member
    ziggy2006 wrote: »
    darrieux1981 wrote: »
    Hi!
    During the day, I'm facing personal issues that makes me wait a lot, and I get anxious or bored or tired or nervous or stressed... I have some escapes, but food is the one that really relaxes and calms me.

    This part of your post confuses me - do you mean you do a lot of waiting due to personal issues, facing your personal issues has led to weight gain, or something else? Sorry, it is me - it looks like you got autocorrected and I'm having a difficult time figuring out what you meant to say.

    You describe an unhealthy relationship with food. Food is for sustenance and provides energy for our daily activities. It does not require a relationship. It is not a source of comfort, entertainment, a means to relax, or a way to reduce anxiety. It is time to put food in its proper place by finding other ways to meet the needs currently being met by your relationship with food.

    Focus on building relationships with people. When you need comfort, call a family member, friend, or go online to MFP to find support. If you need support beyond that, consider establishing a relationship with a counselor, especially if you think that might be helpful in dealing with the personal issues you are facing. If possible, think about rescuing a cat/dog from an animal shelter. Though it is not as fulfilling as a strong relationship with another human, it is surprising how much comfort establishing a relationship with an animal can bring to both participants!

    Find ways of entertaining yourself that don't involve food. Activity is a great substitute that can improve your health as well as releasing stress and helping you relax. If you are bored watching TV and want to start munching, go outside for a walk. If it is too late at night or you feel unsafe, put in an exercise DVD. Join a gym that is open 24 hours. Make time to get outside and ride a bike or take a kayak down the river. Take a hike through your local wilderness preserve. And you know that dog that you just rescued will adjust more quickly and demonstrate better behavior if he gets plenty of exercise.

    Hobbies are also great for relaxation and entertainment. Take up knitting, build model planes, do paint-by-number kits, sudoku or crossword puzzles, read the literary works of your favorite author, start some DIY projects around your home - find some hobbies you enjoy and they can reduce your dependence on food.

    Exercise and hobbies may or may not be enough to reduce your anxiety. If your anxiety is negatively impacting your daily life, you really do need to discuss it with a medical doctor. I would advise you to be extremely cautious about using supplements - if they are working to reduce your anxiety, then they are just as powerful as prescription medications, only they are not regulated like medication and you are not using them under the guidance of a professional. If you really feel they are the right choice for you, then at least consult a medical doctor to make sure they are safe and won't cause negative side effects or interact with each other or any medications you might be taking. In my experience, anxiety can be the cause of chronic insomnia, and treating the anxiety can resolve the insomnia, which I find preferable to just treating the symptom and ignoring the



    YES! I do have a weird relationship with food. I treat eating disorders already and I'm also diagnosed with bipolar disorder,.., I treat my issues with medications, psychoanalysis, yoga and exercise. I've always been anxious and was easier to not have snacks supplies at home when I was single and no kids. I don't need to lose weight, not now. But I'm able to eat compulsively and get 20lbs easily if I don't take care of my issues.
    I've managed most of the ones related to food for the past 10 years very well, but I got married, had to stop working with the career I chose that fulfills me, moved to a city that was hard to adapt and had a baby, 3 years ago. So some of the solutions mentioned doesn't apply for my reality and you got it right when you said that is a deeper issue, because it is and I'm aware of it. Unfortunately, I had to wait for my next appointment with my psychiatrist, for example, to argue about some medication or dose. Or, about my waiting, I had recently a huge event that I was in charge and was anxious about it. Now I gotta prepare to move back to California from North Carolina, but I have to wait for some things to start the action. And I also can't start organizing my future life there yet, because I don't know an exactly date or month we are moving. I can't commit with things that are not immediate where I am now, I can't plan much (just in my mind)... I could explain more, but I'm sure I would overwhelm you.
    I like your analysis, thank you. I'm really working toward to fix the main issue. But when I wrote this topic I was really thinking about that moment you are about to do something and hints or strategies that could help me on the middle of my despair. Like drink water or chew gun. Lol

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Eat jicama. That stuff will fill you up and clean you out.
  • darrieux1981
    darrieux1981 Posts: 4 Member
    LeopardSurd wrote: »
    missbrunetterapunzel wrote: »
    try to stick to something healthy like nuts for salty cravings or fruit for sweet cravings. And make sure you're eating enough protein!
    The most nuts are a bad deal because of calories intake. Macadamia nuts: 700 kcal/100 g. Cashew about 600 kcal/100.

    I have the same problem and I didn't found a reasonable solution.

    Isn't easy, right? We know the feet that fill the shoes! I tried things for my insomnia my whole life, I'm a night person. But now I'm a mom of a toddler that wakes me up at 7 and I gotta be super awake to do things. I ate arugula or kale just to snack, popcorn... I will try ice! Lol
    If I can't control the act 100% I choose the less calories possible and it really helps. I'm a fit person... I try Popsicles and diet jelly is a good choice when I don't eat all before my carving moment ends...
    Lol

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