compulsive binging...

[debilana]

anyone deal with this?

mine seems worse as my cycle winds down toward my period. I get cravings for crap that almost drive me to distraction. I can pull myself around but I hate damaging myself like this every month for a week.

I did great full on raw for 6 months, now this is rearing its ugly head. It seems like I am working my way through old foods til I get sick- and thank god I am getting sick when I do it! that way I have a mental image and I am not apt to repeat the binge on that food.

It was cheese- I seem to be done with that and I think other than honey I am all vegan now- finally! then it was bread- wheat gives me a killer headache so I am working on that one. This month it was ..of all nsty things..potato chips! 2 days straight I ate a full big bag- I did eat the more natural ones, but the grease and smell grossed me out today.

maybe this is a process I need to relax and work through? anyone else deal with this? I am loaded with raw food everyday, I drink green juice and smoothies- its not hunger. its mental.

today is going well tho, plus I got in 30 min of exercise=)

[MiahTay]

I TOTALLY RELATE. I am also interested if anyone has any words of wisdom.

Heather

[ncadotte]

Yes, I struggle too. Especially around my period. I think the biggest help for me are the forums and keeping busy. One thing that can distract me when I'm having an especially hard time is to pick a really good gourmet raw food dish to prepare. It keeps me busy and I know I'll get to eat something really (hopefully) yummy when I'm done. I like to cook so it works for me (sometimes!). But I'm not perfect and do get off track every now and then.

I hear ya about the "mental" part. I KNOW I'm full, but still want IT. :mad: It is frustrating, but it does pass. Just keep moving forward!

[Eva]

It's related to happiness for me. I would turn on good music, read a good book, go for a walk or run, whatever.

And... it helps to focus totally on JUST food when you eat. It's much harder to eat food you're not really desiring physically when you do this (at least that's the case for me!). :)

Feel better!

[tammay]

Oh, heck, yeah! :D Every since my teens and nothing seemed to work. I had a very stressful time the last few years and just when I thought I got the binge eating under control, it reared its ugly head and I went right back into the diet/binge cycle.

I'm amazed because I've tried to go raw several times and always felt cravings. This time around, though, I don't feel cravings at all. The difference is that I'm focusing on simple meals and whole fresh food and worrying less about "getting enough protein" and eating less trigger foods (you know the ones - nuts, nut butters, dried fruit ;) ). Before I was concerned about protein so I made sure to eat something protein filled (mostly nuts and avocado) at every meal (I eat six small meals a day, not three, so that can add up!) I was also relying on dried fruits for "dessert" at meals. I lost weight but I slid back into cooked food (read: binge eating).

This time, though, I'm eating much less nuts and avocados and dried fruit and more fresh veggies and fruit. I find I'm actually enjoying my meals a lot more and I'm free of junk food cravings, which surprises me, given that I eat quite a bit of fruit.

But what else has helped me so far is to keep a "food and feelings" journal. I journal every morning about present and past issues with food and it's helped me see a lot of things. You don't have to do it for long - I journal about 15-20 minutes. It's helped me, though.

And yoga is a treasure - I do 40 minutes of very gentle stress-releasing yoga (Crunch Candlelight Yoga - I highly recommend it, especially if you're not into the "ommm" meditative type of thing - this is really more stretching) and it's so relaxing and my flexibility has improved a lot!

Tam

[Zella Juice]

yes. And since going raw I cannot binge on much anymore without getting sick. My body is forcing me to eat right. The last and probably final binge I had was baked potato with coconut oil on it. So, the binging does get healthier until it finally stops. I always make a mental note of how I feel during and after eating it. And then the next day it's like a hang over. That night I slept really well because the food made me so tired. My body was so busy working on digesting it left me with no energy. I slept so hard I pinched a nerve in my neck and woke up with the room spinning. It was the weirdest thing. Drink tons of fresh juice to get back on track and get that cooked food out of your system. It's all just a process where we discover that raw foods really are the best thing for us.

[souldanzer]

I would say that if the binging occurs at a certain time in your cycle, then it is not "mental" but probably related to your hormones. It is also normal to be a little bit more hungry just before or during your cycle.
During the second half of your cycle, after ovulation, progesterone levels rise in a woman's body. Progesterone and estrogen affect serotonin levels in the brain, while serotonin regulates appetite.
This is the relationship:
high estrogen (first half of cycle) --> high serotonin --> decreased appetite, better mood, energetic
high progesterone (second half of cycle) --> low serotonin --> increased appetite, mood issues, wanting to rest

So, apart from this being somewhat natural and healthy, it shouldn't result in "binging". I wonder if you have other PMS symptoms?

There are foods and natural supplements that can help regulate hormone levels. Most likely you are deficient in some essential fatty acids and/or amino acids. Certain toxins in the environment can also screw with your hormone levels.

Souldanzer :)

[souldanzer]

Yes, there is Coe, however, this eating disorder tends to occur spread out over the entire cycle. If the binging occurs ONLY immediately before the menstrual cycle begins, I would probably recommend looking at hormonal issues. Especially if the person seems to have control over food for the first half of the cycle.

Souldanzer :)


Edit: And yes, I completely agree that there may be multiple causes and healing your mind is always good ;-)

[debilana]

Since I went raw my PMS has decresed in a huge way. I used to get horrible cramps, really sore breasts, I would cry over anything and get sooooooo tired.
I still get a little of these things but its really manageable now- I do not need to take asprin for cramps anymore and they only last a day now.

I eat plenty of fats- on't think I am defienct there. Maybe upping my B's and greens would help. I keep wondering if maybe I still have issues with absorbing all my vitamins and minerals - I am sure it takes a long time to restore the health of our digestive tracts after years of being raw.

seretonin- yes, that makes sense. Aside from getting some sun and exercise, and eating raw cacoa... I know there are supplements meant to help bolster this but I am trying not to take any supplements besides the occasional b12.

thanks for all the imput and suggestions. keep it coming - you guys ROCK. I LOVE this board=):D

[Pitaya]

debilana!!! i can TOTALLY relate. in fact i posted here after my 6 months mark when i fell back and had french fries for a few days in a row....i woke up with cold sores on my face the next day and all kinds of symptoms but for me it was emotional so i kept eating for a few more days until i was thoroughly disgusted.

speaking of disgusting: someone i met recently who's been raw for 7 years told me that our intestinal parasites thrive on potatoes and cause us to crave them. i used to be such a potato chip junkie it's not even funny - i'd reach for those over sweets anyday!!!! i passed a parasite after my second cleanse that i won't go into detail about but let me tell you, there is still something in me, whether wormlike or whatever, that still wants POTATO!!!

so...........i did something that will not be recommended for a number of reasons but may help you get over hump. I shred a bunch of yellow/gold potatoes in the food processor (into tiny square-like shapes), soaked them in water and lemon, drained, soaked them again, then dehydrated until they were crunchy. then i added sea salt and olive oil and shook them and voila.....my potato chips. if you get the right amount of salt and oil they are delicious....i added dehydrated onion to them too and they were yummmmmmmmmmmy. totally satisfied me so i made a bunch for emergencies.

of course now i can't eat them after what my friend told me but maybe you can. she ruined my pleasure (grrrr....lol) because all i picture are the parasites eating them as i munch away, but it worked before i knew this so thought i'd share.

ok.....this is the strangest post i've written yet but i'm so tired just pressing send. i do wish you well and promise you things will get easier. look how far you've come! we all have these minor setbacks and potato chips are like crack-cocaine for some of us!

blessings and prayers for potato-free days,
pitaya

[debilana]

I think I have a way to handle this- a schedule.

I am really lacking in a workout schedule. I hate gyms so I have been trying to work out using walks, rebounder, and my bosses Wii a few times a week- its really helpful for charting BMI and I love the boxing=) I think this weekend I will also pick up some exercise bands for resistance training.

When winter comes in the NW its so dark and I get up at 6 am ...we don't heat the whole house at night so its cold too. I thought if I started a rountine that I did even on the weekends, after a few months it will be habit and make getting up a bit easier...and on the weekends, I can always go back to bed.

I was thinking of waking at 6 am, running on the rebounder for 5 min then going to 10, and then making either a juice or GS. This should all take only 10-15 min and then I go on with my normal morning routine. Later in the day I will get my other workout, as normal.

My thought process is that the morning quick wakeup and nutrition might help derail the cravings when they come.I know today I had the extra time to workout for 15 min and I do not feel like eating anything but fruit=)

my hormones do not rule me- my food does not rule me- and I refuse to fight with my food!

hehe yall will like this- in the height of early this weeks cravings- I was in the store grabbing some stuff and found myself on the cookie asile. I looked at all of them,picked up a few, read the digusting ingredients, went eww a few times, then I went for a box of something more natural- which was over 4 bucks- and I said screw you big sugar corporations- you are not getting my money today! In the end I did buy a small local chocolate bar on my way out, but that did not make me feel horrible, i did not binge, and the next day I attempted to remake it in my kitchen using raw. :D sometimes its just about making a more positive choice.

getting up to do something earlier than normal is hard, I love to sleep SO MUCH- I am a big sleepyhead- but I do this, its only 15 minutes.:p

[debilana]

any ideas cranberry? what did you do? I do not have the $ btw to see anyone about it- I am on my own except for you guyz:D

I feel lucky this is not a full time thing- I do tend to think about food alot, but the uncontrollable cravings for crap are basically right in the week or 2 going up to my period. I tend to get lethargic and a bit cranky too which may point to a b vit /seretonin issue.

however I by and large a sleepy, unmotivated person - I am prone to large bursts of energy followed by the urge to sleep- been like this as long as I can remember. I can work very hard- I used to be a chef- but I am quite capable of being a sloth:D I have to work hard to raise my metabolism . Raw gives me tons more energy- often at 3 am when I wake up and cannot get back to sleep:D - but its still hard for me to do stuff like clean my desk, get a schedule down other than what I need to do for my family. For family I do fine but for myself...I suck.

Have no idea if this has any bearing on anything, but I do know eating issues have deep mental roots. I place a HUGE amount of security on food supply- I grew up poor- and many of my best memories as a kid involve food- maybe it was a blocker for all the bad stuff I had to deal with.

[brownies]

When I know its coming I make myself a bunch of raw desserts. There is a raw cinnamon roll recipe on here someone posted (search cinnamon roll and open the thread titled almond pulp)
These things are amazingly good to me & I don't even need chocolate when I have these.

Do some experimenting and find the ones that work best for you. There really are some amazing raw deserts out there.


One thing I do when craving chips is to make Kale chips. They are crunchy & salty so I get satisfied. (you can do a search on here for those too)

[Rrose]

What does anyone think of taking Lithium and amino acid supplements for binge eating? Has anyone heard of Bi-polar disorder being realted to food bingeing? Just wondering if that is a possibility?
I personallly don't think Bi-polar is a real thing, but an excuse to do things without utilizing self control!

[Care4raw]

Many binge eaters have found support and healing through Over Eaters Anonymous, the 12 step program.
There's much info about your local groups and support online.

:o

[debilana]

I have had several friends close to me with bi polar and its very real. The mood swings are almost uncontrollable- the mind takes over any common sense. I have no clue about it being related to food- I knew one elderly woman with it once and she was stick thin. She had no one to help her /watch over her/ make sure she didnt knock down her lithium with alcohol and she died alone in her apt and was not found for days. everyone shunned her because of her disease and she let them because she could not think rationally.


I believe sometimes meds can really help folks get a grip and live a life under control. Not to knock you Rose=) but if you have never been inside a mentally ill persons mind you really cannot make a judgement like that. Its like those people railing against autistic children and saying they just need a firm swat on the butt. I am sure changing diets would help many ill people, but compassion and a helping hand to the sick in our society is the first step.

I am a cranberry- maybe we are sisters=) thanks so much for your insights!


I do not have any particular mental disabilities like that and I definatly think it is hormone related. I am going to try increasing my B vits and juices in the 2 weeks leading up to my period next month to see if that helps. Stay tuned for the results! :D

[debilana]

Brownies thats a great idea- I will go make some of my famous fudge today:D

[debilana]

well....
last night was interesting=)

I had a few great days- lots of juicing, feeling good. Yesterday was awesome- I did my morning rebounding, made juice, ate well all day, was happy and satisfied.

I get home and the family was making pasta with vegan meatballs. Now normally If I am curious I can just take a taste and its fine- but last night it did not end there. sure, the little bite would have been fine- esp after a 100 percent raw day- my body would not have even noticed my vegan meatball curiousity. However being so close to my period- ah,I should have known. I ate more than I care to confess- it was possibly the worst binge since I went raw a year ago. Sure, it was vegan- but I ate so much- plus the wheat! In about an hour I was so sick, I had a huge headache, I almost vomited. I slept terribly too:eek:

I do believe now that something I may have never noticed pre and early raw is rearing up its ugly head- I am thinking a definate hormone issue pre period. Starting this month I am going to track my cycle and start beefing up green juices and GS and B vits in the 2 weeks before my period.

Anyone know any other crucial vit/mineral I need to get more often to help balance my hormones? I noticed a thread from SHel where someone mentioned eating hemp/pumpkin seeds etc with fruit- so I think maybe adding hemp protien to GS a few times a week?

Here are some side notes- I am currently on no BC and have not been for years. I took the pill for a long time but do not want to go back on it unless I have to.

Right now I eat a completly raw diet except for when I have my slips. I drink a juice or gs most every day- some days like yesterday and today I have both. I eat a salad every other day or so with EVOO and a few walnuts and whatever looks good- right now its tomatoes from my garden. I eat fruit mostly in the morning. I also eat a fair amount of treats like grawnola or some fudge- it keeeps me happy to have treats, for now=)

so as usual- any furthar imput always appreciated:D