Overcoming Binge Eating

During the holidays, or when celebrating, many of us overeat. Some people have problems controlling their appetite and end up eating non-stop until eating is interrupted. Binge eating can be triggered by many things such as stress, depression, loneliness, or anger. Food is used as a way of dealing with issues other than hunger.

During a binge, 10,000 to 20,000 calories can be consumed throughout the day. Binges usually consist of foods like cookies, candy, chips, ice cream, and many other high calorie foods. Binges are often done in secret. After a binge, many of the feelings that caused the binge, like stress, may have subsided only to be replaced with feelings of guilt and lack of self-control.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is estimated to be present in up to 5 percent of teenage and young adult women. It is characterized by binge eating followed by purging and other behaviors such as vomiting. Laxatives, diet pills, water pills, exercise, or fasting may also be used.

Bingeing and purging behaviors must occur for a minimum average of 2 episodes a week for at least 3 months before a diagnosis of bulimia can be made. The person also exhibits an over concern with weight and body shape. Medical complications of bulimia include blood chemistry imbalances, trauma to the gastrointestinal tract, and dental cavities from prolonged vomiting.

Women with bulimia often feel deprived and dependent. The patient may experience emotional hunger as physical hunger. Control is very important to people with eating disorders. They may have a fear of expressing their feelings, especially those labeled as "bad" feelings, like anger.

Binge eating is like bulimia, but does not include purging behaviors. A diagnosis of binge-eating disorder is made when a person binges an average of two days per week over a six month period.

To help control binge eating:

• eat only at established meal times

• avoid keeping foods around that may trigger bingeing

• avoid fad or very restrictive diets and

• keep a food diary and log to assess what prompted the binge

Binge eating can be difficult to control because many people turn to food as a way of dealing with their feelings. Keeping a food diary is beneficial in identifying the feelings that trigger binge eating as well as what kinds of foods are consumed during a binge. Strategies can then be developed to reduce the urge to binge.

True eating disorders can be life-threatening. Binge eating can be a difficult cycle to break. For more information, contact your healthcare provider.

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