Preventing a Binge

Posts: 14,193
1/27/13 7:22 A

I had the same problem. I would actually get hungrier the more I ate. Since starting low carb, I now know it was the " healthy " carbs that opened the door to cravings that led to " unhealthy " carbs.

I would have something like a salad, and fish with a potato. The potato would cause me to be starving an hour later, and I would end up at Taco Bell, having 10 burritos, and a 2 liter of Pepsi. Now I just eat a lb. of fish, and 2 cups of low glycemic veggies, and skip potatoes, noodles ( carbs ). I have no hunger or cravings. I eat a meal every 7 hours at 9 a.m., 4 p.m, and 11 p.m. Most days around 2100 calories, and I lose weight almost every single day.

It is the same as if you were an alcoholic, or drug addict. Some carbs you just can't eat. EVER. Others you need to limit, and some you can enjoy every day. You add back in a type of carb, and see if it causes binges/ weight gain, and if not... add it to your acceptable foods list. Eventually you will have an extensive list, and be able to eat quite a few carbs hopefully.

You may have another reason causing your binges, but it seems that carbs are causing them from your description. A 2 week trial period would give you an idea if that might stop the binges.

Hope you get it under control. Good Luck.

current weight: 242.0

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Posts: 4,717
1/27/13 5:40 A

When I was in college, I had the unlimited meal plan too. I gained almost 60 lbs in college. I made bad choice after bad choice.

My cafeteria had a great salad bar and at least one kind of soup every day (often two). There was a sandwich bar with things like deli sliced turkey; there was even a "healthy bar" with yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna in water, and lots of fresh fruit.

But I went for the pizza, pasta, and burgers. And the ice cream bar and dessert table.

My point is that I could actually have eaten really healthy, but I didn't even make the effort. I told myself that I wasn't eating THAT much and that everyone else was eating it so it must be fine. I definitely binged and ate almost exclusively simple carb-heavy food.

I guess what I would suggest is to start your meal with a salad or soup or something light, and then wait a few minutes before deciding what else you want to eat. Maybe once that initial hunger is gone, you won't be so apt to go for the unhealthy options. Especially if your salad has some protein in it (egg, turkey, etc). You should still eat a regular sized meal -- you've got to eat! -- but by starting with the veggies and some protein, you can both insure that you are getting those nutritional goals met, and that you aren't making decisions out of hunger. Then you can go back and get a healthy entree like a chicken breast, or a piece of fish, or whatever.

When I was in school (oh so long ago), everything was white carbs - white bread, white pasta, etc. Now you will probably find some whole wheat options. Definitely choose those over the white carbs, as they will not trigger your carb binges as much, plus the extra fiber is very important.

Posts: 42
1/26/13 11:50 P

I have the same problem with certain things like fatigue or lack of sleep triggering a binge or craving, or sometimes just eating a food that I really like, like ice cream, will trigger a nonstop binge. My best period of control seems to be when I don't let myself get too hungry or go too long between eating. I have started eating six small meals and snacks during the day with more good results than bad, I am a work in progress....good luck!

current weight: 193.5

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Posts: 1,998
1/26/13 11:43 P

I am so sorry, I know what that's like. This is why I don't have a meal plan. I don't have any suggestions to you, but I just wanted to give you my support in your struggles. Best of luck.

current weight: 231.0

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Posts: 1
1/26/13 11:27 P

Hi, my name is Olivia and I am 19 years old at college eating off of a five day a week unlimited meal plan. I have struggled with binge eating for years. Any time I eat anything with sugar or carbs in it, it's a feeding frenzy. The worst time is when I have a really hard (but good) workout. I try to refuel with healthy foods, but I just end up craving and eventually binging on sugar and carbs. I feel like a crack addict going through withdrawal until finally they just break and take another hit.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can break this cycle and overcome my "food addiction"?