Binge Eating

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  • WilmaValley
    WilmaValley Posts: 1,092 Member
    The book Brain Over Binge is a godsend. It has helped thousands of people, good luck and read it now. It will change your life.
  • Riplenater
    Riplenater Posts: 19 Member
    diannethegeek wrote: »
    Full disclosure: I don't meet the diagnostic criteria for BED. But I have struggled with binging. For me, the only time I've been able to stop a binge is to get in front of it and recognize the kinds of feelings I have when they're about to start. Recognizing and naming the emotions gives me ammunition and some control over the binge. "I don't want to eat, this is just anxiety. I don't need that food, this is just about xyz. No really, we'll get over this." And so on. It's still going to be a long night fighting it. The feelings can consume my life for hours when I'm trying to stop a binge. There are times when I think it would be easier to just binge (but not better).

    HALT is an acronym I learned here. Don't let yourself get too Hungry Angry Lonely or Tired. These are times we're more likely to binge. I add an extra A for Anxiety for myself. Getting in front of those things can help some.

    Big binger here and yes yes yes to this. Anger binge is a big one for me. I'm just like eff it, I'm going to eat the house.
  • DetectiveCookieMonster
    DetectiveCookieMonster Posts: 51 Member
    I struggle with the same thing. I read something that sounded really silly to me about it before ... and the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.
    It was something along the lines of... if you're feeling a binge come on... set a timer for 1 minute... once that minute is up, eat.
    Every time from there when you feel one come on, add a minute to the timer... eventually so much time will pass that the urge to binge will also pass.
    It give you control over the food rather than the food control over you.
    Even just that one minute... instead of indulging immediately. You wait the minute.. that minute is YOUR control.
    Worth a shot :) I'm definitely going to try this. Because realistically... (for me anyway) there's no stopping until I snap back to reality
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Wiggymommy wrote: »
    I'm not sure if my binge eating is the same reasons as yours. I think mine was more diet related. Once I switched to a high protein diet I don't get the urge to eat all the foods. It's like a light switched off. Staying away from sugar helps too. When I stray from my healthier eating I binge way more. Sometimes it's like my stomach is a bottomless pit and I literally feel ravenous no matter how much I eat.

    Ya, more protein and less sugar helps me for sure. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a regular exercise program also help me not self-medicate with food.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited September 2017
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  • sedj241
    sedj241 Posts: 36 Member
    I chew a lot of sugar free gum, eat a lot of peanut butter, and drink a lot of water. Sometimes if I sit and eat too much I get up and go a quick run to get my mind off of eating because once I start eating I have a hard time stopping.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    ashleyconleche wrote: »
    My doctor suggested Vyvanse, but I'm still a little hesitant to try it. I've had a lot of bad experiences with medication, so I prefer to not take it if I don't have to.

    @Look_Its_Kriss you've had success with Vyvanse, yes?
  • GemstoneofHeart
    GemstoneofHeart Posts: 865 Member
    edited September 2017
    ashleyconleche wrote: »
    My doctor suggested Vyvanse, but I'm still a little hesitant to try it. I've had a lot of bad experiences with medication, so I prefer to not take it if I don't have to.

    I absolutely hated vyvanse and regret taking it so much. It made my appetite disappear for a few weeks but all it really did was make me feel crazy, my extremities were ice cold, my mouth was constantly dry, and I would shake/have "tic" like movements. Counseling and logging helped me overcome BED!

    ETA: they also have to keep increasing the dosage because it's an amphetamine and your body will start to get used to it.
  • brishaw5662
    brishaw5662 Posts: 2 Member
    Just found this thread!
    I am on topiramite for my migraines already but I also struggle with binge eating.
    How much and at what time of the day did you take topamax and saw results??
  • BarneyRubbleMD
    BarneyRubbleMD Posts: 1,092 Member
    brishaw5662 wrote: »
    Just found this thread!
    I am on topiramite for my migraines already but I also struggle with binge eating.
    How much and at what time of the day did you take topamax and saw results??

    I take 75mg of Topiramate (generic for Topamax) for binge eating, taken at night before bed. That is a very low dose but it works wonders for me at removing the urge to binge when I'm around my "trigger" foods. It also helps cut down on the "hyper-palatability" of some foods like pizza, Doritos, etc so that the "wow factor" (how I describe it) isn't so great & I'm not so drawn back to them to eat them again and again. I plan to stay on Topiramate until I reach my goal weight before I see if I can then do without it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2017
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  • HM2206
    HM2206 Posts: 174 Member
    Even if one doesn't qualify for BED, I think most people have had issues with binging at some point.

    For me, number one is to not keep bad foods in the house. In general, I have very little food in the home. Only exception is the freezer, and it takes too long to defrost anyway.
    I have a bit of dry goods, but generally don't tend to binge on chia seeds, dry quinoa or beans.

    Recently I have been staying with my sister and she is an impulsive grocery shopper, bringing unhealthy foods home every day. I've had to really focus to not overeat.

    The "HALT" thing is good, and highlights some things I already do.
    - I don't get too hungry. When I'm cooking dinner, I¨'m having a carrot, an apple or a cup of tea to settle my stomach in the meantime. I even sometimes have a small protein bar before I go out to dinner.
    - I'm rarely an Angry eater, but I can be a Lonely eater. I make an effort to recognize it, and change my focus. If I'm angry, a run helps a lot. I try to channel negative energy into something like that. "X is trying to bring me down, but I will be stronger and healthier and prove everybody wrong". Something along those lines. I'm generally good at steering myself away from food when I am upset, because bad foods is generally the last thing you need when life is hard.
    - Get sleep. Early rise and early to bed helps a LOT.
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