Overeating Causes

by Brooke Wake
(WA USA)

Hi there!

I just found your site. The information you have provided looks very promising and I sincerely hope I have finally found something that will work to help me finally break free of binging and emotional eating.

My binging generally revolves around about a tri-weekly consumption of a four-pack of cinnamon rolls. Even when I have started the day out feeling good about eating, I cannot seem to fend off the habit of "blowing it" on the way home. I will often tell myself after the binge that tomorrow I'm going to stop eating sugar or flour or that I will only have a treat like that once a week. But it never works. As I drive to the store, it never even seems emotional. It feels more like boredom or habit or an evasion. Would these be reasons for emotional eating?

Also, should I try to completely give up sugar and flour? It is true that when I have a bite I feel like I need to eat ALL the flour and sugar. But maybe this is because I feel like I can't cope with the control of it. Eating when I feel my stomach growl, even if that is only a couple times a day, seems more sustainable.

What do you think? I'm really scared that I am now borderline overweight. My BMI is about 25 now. I want to stop it now. Today was another binge on the rolls - the third binge in about a week.

Thank you so much for listening and helping all of us plagued by this awful obsession.

Ash

ANSWER

While there may be a physical link with overeating to refined flour and sugar; another large culprit is using food for emotional soothing.

The best way to find out which case is true for you is test it out. But heads up; for most people it is usually a combination of both.

I do recommend eating mostly whole natural foods: lean protein sources, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats. But I do not recommend cutting out any 'food group' - even treats once in a while. (I have found that this can promote binging on those foods.)

If you find yourself grabbing for junk all the time - I would suggest limiting the availability of them. (Clean them out of your home, etc) This also allows you time between the impulse to binge and having your trigger food. It allows you time to release the urge and address the real issue that brought the desire to overeat.

The best way to figure out what you need is to ask two questions:

When you want to eat ask yourself, "Am I hungry - or do I just want to eat?"
If you find that you are not physically hungry ask yourself, "If I'm not hungry, then what do I really need?

When you get answers to these questions.... listen. You will find that over time your mind will begin to shift and it becomes more easy and natural to use other coping skills to deal with stress and emotions.

You may not always follow your intuition when you get your answers. There may be times that you still choose to binge. But do NOT give in to the temptation of beating yourself up over it.

Get curious about your eating habits, don't judge yourself. Get to the underlying thoughts and beliefs that are creating the urges to overeat and question them.

I'm cheering for YOU!

All my Best,

Stefanie