Compulsive Eating Habits

Posted by Natalyn R. on March 15, 2013 at 11:10am

For most of my life so far, I've struggled with minor compulsive eating issues... even though I'm eating more and more low fat raw vegan each day, I still have moments where I just lose control and binge on both raw AND cooked food.

For example, right now I'm literally laying on the floor as I write this. I'm super bloated because I had some wild rice (cooked, yes, I know..), and sprouted grain tortillas (also cooked), and some raw tabouli. Did I stop there? Nope. I had about 20 dates and almost two whole apples. Plus, right before this meal I gorged on dried fruit. 

Any advice? I feel like such a fatty and I really want to stop having these "binge days" but I just lose control. 

(By the way, I'm 5'1, 140 pounds, wishing to be 120 or below.)

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Replies

  • dandelion January 26, 2014 at 6:00pm

    Hi Natalyn,
    This was a pretty old post, I know, but I wondered how you were travelling now?  Reason I ask is that I'm a very gratefully recovered compulsive eater and help others recover as part of my service of gratitude.  I really related to your story of obsession with food - my life was so run by it that there wasn't a lot of room for anything else. Even going 801010 didn't really address the issue, because it was more than about nutrition.  After a year on the lifestyle I realised I needed to address it.  I've posted a link to an article I wrote recently about this very topic, if you're interested.  http://www.realrawnutrition.com/?p=364

    Happy to help you and anyone else struggling with this horrible disorder in any way I can.

    • Natalyn R. > dandelion January 26, 2014 at 6:06pm

      Well, I still haven't gotten rid of my compulsive eating issue, but it has definitely gotten better. It's been a while since I've had to lay on the floor from being so full. If anything, my issue now is emotional eating  and fear of commitment to healthy eating. I haven't been on this site in so long... I'm not really raw vegan anymore. It was too hard, and if I'm ever to reach that, I want to reach it comfortably and in my own time. Currently, I'm sticking to whole foods plant based and gluten free (which makes my stomach feel less bloated usually). Sadly, I'm at my heaviest I have ever been - and that's probably because of the fatty, processed foods (yes, they were vegan) that I had allowed to sneak into my diet since december. I will most definitely read that article. Thank you so much for your support. <3

    • Kamau > Natalyn R. February 24, 2014 at 9:51pm
      I just wanted to say that I struggle with the same thing--compulsive &/or emotional eating (they go hand in hand for me). Sometimes it's hard because the thoughts about food get so strong that if I don't eat I get stressed. A few things I know help are keeping foods that I definitely would not want to eat a lot of out of the house and staying stocked up on better alternatives, so even if I have a snack fest at midnight at least I'm eating good things (mangoes, dates, bananas, maybe even a little almond butter, etc). And when I do over eat, I'm gentle with myself. I know I'm not going to be perfect 100% of the time. In that moment I also try to think about how I feel and whether or not this is something I want to experience again.

      To make it easier, a lot of my meals are smoothies (big ones, at least 32 ounces). I put greens in every meal b/c I'm a slow eater and can't handle a giant salad at the end of the day. I always keep at least 4 bananas with me at all times, maybe some dates too.

      Good luck on your journey and I hope you find the path that brings peace to you and your relationship of food <3
    • dandelion > Natalyn R. January 26, 2014 at 6:18pm

      That's good to hear.  I found I had to address the compulsive eating before I could stick to any diet, didn't matter what it was.  But the beautiful thing was that I found once I did address it, my whole life opened up in a beautiful way.  I realised that my whole life had revolved around food and weight obsession and that my relationships, career and everything was really suffering.  When I addressed it I was then able to follow 801010 (with periods of fully raw and very high raw) and more importantly, get on with my life. 
      Best of luck on your journey.  :)

  • Heleaka June 7, 2013 at 11:30am

    Im have been in the same boat for most my life, and only until recently have I gotten things mostly under control. (each day still working on it) I would binge a lot and I had a lot of psychological problems with food because of childhood abuse and traumatic moments in the past, and eating ended up being mixed in with all that. It ended up being super hard for me to keep up with 811. I knew that I needed to deal with the deeper down issues and my emotions and mentality towards food.

    I found out about EFT (tapping) and it has helped me deal with more deep down issues I never knew would be linked to my binging and what not. I highly recommend doing this tapping. Its just so good no matter what mood your in...Theres a lot of info on the internet about it and I usually just go to youtube and watch brad yates, hes got so many videos and you just tap along with him. super easy and it has some serious benefits, youll be surprised. Since doing the EFT tapping, I have had such improvements in my mental and emotional help and it has made a profound effect on my 811 eating. I have been much more stable in my food intake and more consciously eating. I feel much more grounded and in control. 

    I would also say just take it easy and get yourself sorted out first, and dont kill yourself over eating some cooked food. Its your sanity your working on first then when you feel much more stable, then tackle the 811 as hard as you want. In my life, I love to do things 100% and I realized i had to put my hardcore 811 on hold in order to work on myself and help myself (I was really driving myself nuts trying to balance out both my sanity and my 811)....but more recently since all my tapping, I am getting back to where I want to be sanity wise and 811 wise.

    So I hope this really helps!

    • Natalyn R. > Heleaka September 12, 2013 at 2:01pm

      Thank you. Yes, it does help! I've also had childhood issues and a couple traumatic moments - thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone in my journey to find both sanity and healthy living. <3

  • Gianni March 15, 2013 at 1:19pm

    It may be possible that you are making up for under-eating the previous day.  In any case, I would try to eat more fresh fruit and less dried fruit.  It's healthier.

    If you feel you need to eat some cooked grains try to plan ahead.  Eat along with it a large salad with various toppings like shredded carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, avocados, etc.  This will help satisfy you in terms of providing some good nutrition as well as filling up your stomach.

    Personally, I gave up using salt completely a few weeks ago.  I now find cooked food less addictive and I don't overeat on it anymore.

    • Natalyn R. > Gianni March 15, 2013 at 1:46pm

      Hey, these are great tips! Thanks Gianni! 

  • Anja March 15, 2013 at 12:38pm

    If you feel like it's going a bit out of control, it's better to start looking at yourself, and maybe ask yourself: why am i eating this much? I eat to much when i'm bored, sad, angry or when i just want to numb out and feel as little as possible.( cooked food, etc ) When I feel great, i usually eat super healthy and good. 

    • Natalyn R. > Anja March 15, 2013 at 1:44pm

      Thanks for the tip Anja! :) 

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