Question:
I can't stop eating things that are bad for me.
I have a hard time "just saying no" to honey peanut butter and croutons on salads and little things like that. It's getting so bad that yesterday I ate almost 3/4 of a jar of peanut butter!! I don't know why I do this, all I know is that I can't stop. I have pretty good support from friends, maybe it's because it's in the house, but how do I keep it out when the rest of the family want's it? I have stopped losing for about 3 weeks now, which makes it worse (bingeing). Any help is greatly appreciated. — Sherry C. (posted on August 18, 2003)
August 18, 2003
You might want to try finding some alternative snacks that will satisfy
your craving. I am sure that my answer will not be the popular one on
here, but if you crave something sweet, maybe keep some Atkins low carb
candy bars or diabetic sugar-free cookies, something that can help satisfy
the craving without throwing you totally off track. It can be difficult
when everyone in the house is eating things that you want, but aren't
supposed to have. I would just try to compromise and find something to
help satisfy the cravings that won't sabotage your weight loss. Good luck.
— Dawn P.
August 18, 2003
Dawn about says it all and well. Good advice. The Adkins protein bar has
a peanut butter bar that tastes a lot like the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
I can only eat a half a bar at a time. This is very satisfying and sticks
with you. One of my favorite Adkins bars is the Mocha bar. Has a great
chewy consistency. Take the peanut butter to the neighbors and tell the
kids to go next door when they want peanut butter and jelly. JUST KIDDING!
;)
— Ginger M.
August 18, 2003
I'm so glad you posted this question because I've been doing the same
thing, only with sugar-free ice cream or nutella chocolate spread. I know
it's bad, really, really bad, because I'm sneaking the stuff into my
bedroom. Reading your question made me understand that I need to take this
to a counselor or understanding dietician, pronto! So, the answer to your
question (and mine too, I guess) is that I don't know but that it's easy to
find out with a bit of professional help. I'm making an counseling
appointment for tomorrow before any more time is lost, and I hope you will
be able to do the same. You can fix this, just find out why you're doing
it. We didn't go through the surgery to hurt ourselves all over again.
Good Luck!
— Catherine A.
August 18, 2003
First I want to ask Dawn why she'd be in trouble for suggesting carb-free
treats? Sounds like a good idea to me! I like Carbolite candy bars, esp.
the faux Milky Way and Milky WAy w/crunchies. Anyway, Sherry I was confused
by your profile. You say you chose a "gastric band" but only
mention gallbladder surgery. So, are you pre-op or post-op?? If post op
can't you get your band tightened? It's my understanding that that is the
main way such problems are dealt with. Also sometimes bingeing is a sign of
too little protein or a vitamin/mineral deficiency. At Fitday.com you can
track your food intake and see how many nutrients you're getting. I was a
binger too and had it come up again about 8 months post-op. Small amounts,
but bingeing nonetheless! It did go away after a few weeks and I'm OK now.
I'm not sure why it went away beyond my being real scared and feeling sick,
weak, and generally crummy when I substitued carbs for protein. Plus with
DS the intestinal problems that carb overload causes is pretty unbearable.
One thing that I realized during this time was the level of anxiety I felt
probably indicated a need for meds. Because I was able to regain control I
never got any, but I would have if it had continued. If this rings a bell
with you, you might discuss anti-anxiety meds with your PCP. Good luck!
— Chris T.
August 18, 2003
When my cravings are bad, it's because I've let my proetin intake slip a
bit. Are you following the rules of getting all your protein in? So
first things first--clean out your cupboards and get rid of those things
that you can't say no to. Take away the things that tempt you. If others
are in the house that want them, ask them to understand until you get your
cravings under control. Then make sure you're getting protein and water
intake in. And find a counselor you can talk to to understand why you do
this. Good Luck! YOU CAN DO THIS!
— Cathy S.
August 18, 2003
While I'd suggest counceling to help you deal with whatever issues are
driving you to binge, I think it would also do you good to get passed the
idea that any particular food is a bad food. For some reason putting a
label on something as bad or forbidden tends to make it even more appealing
- gives it power. Nothing wrong with peanut butter...high protein, and if
you can handle the fat and the small amount of sugar it won't hurt your
weight-loss - eating 3/4 of a jar can and will (as you've noticed).
Croutons aren't BAD either. If you really want one, have ONE or two and
stop there. Enjoy the crunch, the flavor and tell yourself you CAN have it
whenever you want - removing the power of the food - but that you're
choosing to limit how much and how often you'll "enjoy" it. At
restaurants I order my salad minus croutons but then steal two from my
husbands salad because I really like them. I just don't want to temp
myself with a dozen of them on my own plate. Same thing with crackers in
my soup. Instead of crushing up a bunch of crackers in my soup...I take
two crackers for a bowl of soup and nibble the cracker along with the soup.
I get to enjoy the cracker and it doesn't get to control me. I hope that
makes sense :>) I really DO suggest counceling though, not that your
nuts or anything, just that sometimes we need an outsider to help us deal
with things. Best of luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 18, 2003
3/4 of a jar of peanut butter is a full on binge! Have you ever thought of
seeing a professional to work through WHY you are doing this? I can
appreciate the other posts bout alternatives to soothe your cravings but
wouldn't less peanut butter have done that if that were all you needed? I
think that most of us if not all of us have some serious issues with food
and unless you figure them out the weight will come back. I personally
cannot eat "just one cookie". It is like a drunk thinking they
can drink because they drank one drink ONCE. I am sorry if I sound harsh
but I get very sad when I hear people "falling off the wagon". I
think we have a limited time in which to change these dangerous habits.
Good Luck!!!! :)
— Carol S.
August 20, 2003
I wonder if something could be off in your bloodwork causing these
cravings? Just a thought!!
— bufordslipstick
August 20, 2003
I've developed a binge problem too. Pre-op I never considered myself a
binge eater...I just ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and how much I
wanted. Now, however, I can be chugging along just fine, eating what I
should, than bam...I'm shoving everything that doesn't move too fast into
my face. I have just begun the search for a therapist that deals with
eating issues. I think that in itself, is not going to be a fun process
(mostly insurance issues). I keep a detailed diary of what I eat, when I'm
in control and out of it. I do know that peanut butter is an aweful trigger
for me and bagels too for some idiotic reason. I truly believe that food
cravings, food fantasy, whatever... are caused somewhat by previous meals.
I'm trying to find what keeps me most balanced (biophysically). The last
three days have been horrible for me, and I think it was all triggered by
NSA corn muffins I had Monday...I've been spiraling out of control since.
Now, they are on my list of no-no's. I drink diet caffeine free Coke, and
today I'm going to avoid them and see if that gives me anymore control.
Actually, I'm looking forward to being indifferent to food, but I don't
think it's going to happen in this lifetime. No real insights here, just
another vote for therapy. Hope things work out for you. -Kim open RNY
7/17/01 282/138ish/125
— KimBo36
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