Head hunger or real hunger or compulsive eating

I am really struggeling this weekend being at my parent's house and surrounded by all sorts of good food.  Last night around 11:15 pm I gave in and ate some cold mashed potatoes and ended up sick.  I didn't actually vomit, but felt darned close to it.  Now today I keep looking at the food and wanting to eat it all the leftovers from Christmas, chips, licorice, everything. I had some ff pudding for breakfast and 2 slices of cheese for lunch, but I just don't seem to be satisfied.  I feel like I could go into the kitchen and like a whirlwind eat everything in there. I have another week left on the pureed food diet but want so badly to advance to soft food and have a larger variety of food to eat.  I am trying to keep myself away from the kitchen as well.  I am also not sure what to do tonight when my family goes out for dinner.  Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. I am off to go exercise and hope that, that will help. 

here's what helped me.... close your eyes and imagine the surgery, as much as you can from beginning to end.....not to gross yourself out, but to put into perspective the reason for the new rules. you've had your insides cut apart and rearranged....the reason for the special diet at this point is so it all has time to heal! you aren't hungry, your in mourning...it gets easier.

Nicole...You will make it through this...just remember why you had the surgery. This time of year is hard for all of us. If you go out just order some soup and maybe a side of cottage cheese or fruit. Chew very carefully and eat really slow! If you have grapes don't eat the skins. If you go Mexican..refried beans and cheese is great and so is chili with cheese..... tons of protein!! Maybe eat a little something before you go and you won't be so hungry while they have salads etc.. Good luck....let us know how you do. Hugs, connie d

Sounds like you need some more variety with what you are eating.  I know I have used the cream soups with the Laughin Cow cheese melted in it.  I run it in my silver bullet and have a great satisfying meal.  2 slices of cheese wouldn't satisfy me either.  I actally had some chicken broth last night that I doctored up and it tasted really good.  Have you tried cottage cheese with cinnamon and splenda? Hang in there....you don't want to mess up your tool for a moment of head hunger.  If you need to leave while your family goes out to dinner do it! Bonnie

I know exactly how you feel. I started having dreams of food and when that started I realized how much of it was just head hunger. I'm not hungry just craving everything. The other day I licked my husband's food so I could enjoy the flavor. He wasn't to happy with me. But it was enough to satisfy my craving.  

Thank you everyone for the good ideas and the support it helps to get feedback from others who have been there or are there right now. Well things are going a bit better now I had a big glass of sf chocolate milk and that helped me feel a bit more satisfied.  We went out for dinner and I had a tuna sandwich, minus the bread of course.  The tuna tasted good and I made sure I chewed really well.  I also had a few bites of some tomato basil soup but I brought most of that home.  Anyway I think things are going better now.   Oh, I also realized that my potato attack last night might have been due to me not going to bed shortly after taking my meds since one of my night time meds has the side effect of causing the munchies.  I hope to get to bed shortly after taking my meds tonight!