Food Addiction?

RNSC · Feb 8, 2008

As far as food addiction: I went vegan a couple weeks ago (mostly because I'm a huge animal lover and read some really disturbing propaganda). I didn't notice a difference in how I felt until today, when I gorged on cookies and Hershey chocolate (eggs and milk). UGH, I felt miserable. I am convinced I have a sugar addiction; I really "get off" on the sugar high and then crash really hard. The question is, what can I do about it? I feel so out of control while I'm pigging out, but then I can go days or even weeks and do ok. I don't get it! Thanks for

This is why food addiction is real. Sounds like a classic binge alcoholic doesn't it. I was vegan for a few years. I attended OA meetings and my soberity was being a vegan. I slowly added meat back into my diet for health reasons and when I married a man who ate the Standard American Diet (SAD). My weight has slowly creeped up to 265bls with my binges and now I no longer recognize myself. I think I am going back to the 12 steps and OA because I am a Food Addict.

Simba&NalasMom, LPN · Feb 9, 2008

Thank you for starting this thread.
My Aunt is what I would consider 'addicted' to food. All she talks about is food. She is constantly grocery shopping or cooking. All conversations will come back to the topic of food. To me, she fixates on food like a drug addict would fixate on scoring their next high.
It makes me so sad because she now has a lot of health problems because she is Morbidly Obese.
You know what is really sad? She actually started going to the community pool and was feeling good about getting out and doing something. I was so happy for her! A woman who also swims (and is aware that my Aunt use to work as an RN) said to her one day, "Wow, I can't believe that a person with your knowledge in the Medical field would let yourself go like you have".
Well, my Aunt quit going to the pool.
I tried to talk to her about it, but now she is so concerned that she will run into this woman again, she doesn't want to go. It makes me angry and sad at the same time. She still won't tell me who said it. Apparently, I know this person!!
Anyway, I will talk more about this when I have time. I really am worried about her.

OMG. I can see why your aunt won't tell you who it is as I'd be pretty stinkin' livid if I were you, too! :angryfire

I hope that you'll be able to encourage her to go back. It takes a lot of courage to make that kind of a change and I hope that one day she'll come to realize that and feel good about herself for doing it.

Blackcat99 · Feb 9, 2008

People can be so very cruel.:angryfire I hope your aunt will decide to go back to the pool someday. I am so glad no one ever said anything so cruel to me because going to the pool helped me to lose my 125 pounds.

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2008

Let me know how that works.
That attitude is one that I have and isn't working well for me.

Yeah, can't say it's working so well for me, either. As my dh would confirm, I don't like to be told what to do -- not even, apparently, by myself.

Tonight we're going to a Valentine dinner at the church (a youth fundraiser that our kiddos get to help serve -- they're serving us for once!). I'm sure it will involve chocolate cake somewhere along the way.

I've been way overindulging the last few days and blaming it on fighting off a cold.

Last night our dog had an apparent stroke, and the on call vet recommended Benadryl to calm her down. We didn't have any, so I went out to buy some -- and a dozen Krispy Kremes while I was at it. I probably had 3 last night and 1 this morning -- but, hey, I was stressed out about the dog, you know? I can rationalize all day long.

(the dog seems fine today --maybe some balance issues -- has been checked out by her doc. She's 13 and otherwise healthy):paw:

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

Yeah, can't say it's working so well for me, either. As my dh would confirm, I don't like to be told what to do -- not even, apparently, by myself.
Tonight we're going to a Valentine dinner at the church (a youth fundraiser that our kiddos get to help serve -- they're serving us for once!). I'm sure it will involve chocolate cake somewhere along the way.
I've been way overindulging the last few days and blaming it on fighting off a cold.
Last night our dog had an apparent stroke, and the on call vet recommended Benadryl to calm her down. We didn't have any, so I went out to buy some -- and a dozen Krispy Kremes while I was at it. I probably had 3 last night and 1 this morning -- but, hey, I was stressed out about the dog, you know? I can rationalize all day long.
(the dog seems fine today --maybe some balance issues -- has been checked out by her doc. She's 13 and otherwise healthy):paw:

Hey - sounds like me!!! I lost my 1/2 cocker spaniel, 1/2 gold. retriever at the age of 15 and 1/2 years 2 years ago and believe it or not, he became a paraplegic rapid onset, and when the vet called with the horrible (to me) news, I was at the nsg uniform shop and had to leave. Me, the whole box of Krispy Kremes would be gone and licked before I got home. By the way, this dog got into my purse while I was pumping gas and ate 30 pills of Phentermine (sp?) and a tube of BRIGHT red lipstick. He looked like a bad Norma Rae or something. And it was embarrassing calling the o/c vet at MN and explaining No. 1, what kind of pills he took, and the brand of lipstick. He thought there might be some type of interaction???? Hope your baby does ok.:paw: Anne, RNC

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

When I got sober 11 years ago, I switched to a food addiction, which isn't manifested all the time, but in binges. Slowly over the last 11 years I've gained about 30 pounds. So eating a forbiddin food isn't my problem, it's when I eat a whole bag of chips covered with full fat cheese followed by, a bad meal and a pint of ice cream. This was my last binge. I hope to count my "recovery" from that binge. We'll see.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Feb 10, 2008

as a former bulimic who would eat anything during a binge (if i was out of food, elmer's glue was just fine), something that really helped me when i started to get the feeling that an uncontrollable binge fest was coming on was to stick my head in cold water. i would either jump in the pool or get in a freezing cold shower...even with my clothes on. the icy cold water would completely help me take my mind off eating and purging, until i could regroup myself into something more productive. i know it sounds kinda silly and extreme, but i've had really good results with it.

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

Sometimes it takes something a little extreme (though NOT something dangerous).

Anyone else notice a seasonal relationship to overeating? February is about the most depressing month of the year anyway, but more than that. Of course, I've always thought hibernating through winter sounded appealing.

Any tips on how to get active? I can't seem to make time for trips to the gym, and have a foot injury that's making workouts difficult, too. I guess I could go up and down the stairs in my house! (ugh)

I love my cat! · Feb 12, 2008

People can be so very cruel.:angryfire I hope your aunt will decide to go back to the pool someday. I am so glad no one ever said anything so cruel to me because going to the pool helped me to lose my 125 pounds.

Yes, people can be cruel.

I'M GOING TO TELL MY AUNT ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT LOSS! Good for you!!!!!

She is going in for a total knee in a month, so swimming is the only exercise she can do, plus, she just loves swimming.

talka1 · Feb 13, 2008

Blackcat99,

I have been reading the book that you recommended, " Food Addiction, The Body Knows", I am really feeling HOPE! I am wondering, if this is okay to ask, did you use the food program suggested in the book? I know that I am really sensitive to carbs and am wondering if that would be too many for me....

Blackcat99 · Feb 13, 2008

Yes. I always follow exactly what the book says to do period. I tried so many years to do things "my way.":icon_roll I was always rebellious in the past thinking I know what's best for me. I'll lose my weight my way. Well, I did things "my way" for so many years. Yes, doing things "my way" never worked. I was 240 pounds and totally out of control. Finally, I decided I was going to do exactly what the book said even if it killed me. It didn't kill me. It gave me back my life.It saved my life. I believe 100% of that book. It is my bible. If a food I like is not listed in that book I don't eat it. No exceptions. On March 29th I will have 2 years of abstinence from food addiction. :yeah: Thank you GOD.

Firehawk734 · Feb 14, 2008

Good day all.

I would like to offer my story and hopefully maybe something will rub off. I am a 29 year old male who had been fat most all of my life. I started getting chubby at age 8 and it just got worse from there. I ended up getting to 342 lbs when i was 23 years old, and was absolutely depressed and miserable. I have the ability to put away tons of calories, about 10,000 in a day if I eat all the wrong stuff. Everything that tastes wonderful is high in calories (remember that) lol.

Anyways, one day I decided enough was enough and I learned to keep my binging to 1 day a week, and limit calories and eat very clean the other 6 days a week. Now, this works wonderful for me and I have now lost 108 lbs over the last 3 years (had a 40lb relapse as I tried to gain muscle, didn't work, ate way too much lol). I work out and do cardio every day and I'm now down to 234 lbs, feel absolutely wonderful.

My secret to dieting is I was able to structure my diet during the 6 days of the week to a high protein diet while watching the carbs and fat intake. I educated myself and counted calories daily. In fact, I still count them everyday, and have a daily tracker I made in Excel, showing the last 2 1/2 years by DAY of each and every calorie I ate. This is absolutely crucial. It's also important to monitor bodyweight week to week, try to weigh in once a week at the same time. If you take a 'cheat day' (you eat whatever you want and as much as you want), and then weigh yourself the next day, you'll be 10-20lbs heavier due to water weight, so just weigh in the first thing in the morning of your cheat day, and keep track of it.

This system works great, espcially for those who really struggle to break the binge habit. Honestly I still do binge, but it's on the cheat day only. This doesn't have much effect on fat loss from week to week as long as it is kept to 1 cheat day and no carry-over. You can't screw up during the week either. It will affect your results. 6 days solid, 1 cheat day. It's beautiful.

Just a suggestion. It has worked great for me. LIke I said, I have lost 108lbs now doing this. my Bodyfat % has gone from 46% down to 22%. I also do cardio 3 times a week and weightlift 3 times a week (1 day off). Diet and Exercise go hand in hand. I do not believe in many supplements. I use Whey Protein Powder to help get protein requirements in and that is it, no fancy supplements (I believe you can do it on your own without needing to put crap in your system).

I hope this helps someone on the forum, and best of luck!