6 Top Binge Eating Myths

6 TOP BINGE 6 EATING MYTHS Ever worry that if you keep your favorite foods in the house that you'll "lose control" and consume way more than you want to-especially if you're alone? SODA PIE PIZZA BURGERS SNACKS Find out the truth aboyt some of the most common misconceptions about binge eating, and how to get help it you Struggling with the issue. TRUE Binge eating means that you eat a massive amount of food at one time. OR FALSE FALSE It's not necessarily the amount of food you eat, but the way you eat it. Normally, though, binge eating is defined as eating an amount of food that would be considered more than most people would eat, in a short period of time, accompanied by feeling out of control or anxious about the eating. There's also such a thing as a subjective binge. People who follow very restrictive diets can experience a subjective binge when they eat something that's not on their "allowed" food list, even if it's only a small amount. All binge eaters are overweight. TRUE OR FALSE FALSE “Not all people who binge eat are overweight or feel they struggle with their weight," says Chevese Turner, founder and CEO of the Binge Eating Disorder Association and recovered binge eater herself. “Many people binge eat at different times throughout their lives: some in response to emotional cues and some who are perhaps enjoying a meal at a gathering and not mindful of the amount of food they are eating or how quickly." Bottom line: It's not about what the scales say, it's about the behavior. TRUE Binge eating is always emotional. OR FALSE BOTH TRUE & FALSE Getting too hungry is one of the most common triggers for a binge. It's definitely been one of my common triggers. This isn't emotional, this is biological. This is a primal urge from your brain, making sure you stay alive and healthy. It can be emotional, however, when guilt, anxiety, loneliness or depression move in. Turning to food can be an easy way to find pleasure in the moment. From time to time, it's normal to eat food for pleasure or comfort. As this happens, the brain releases "feel-good" chemicals in response to the pleasure. However, these brain chemicals can become addictive for some people. Then a habit forms. If you don't let yourself TRUE ever have sugary foods, you'll be fine. OR FALSE FALSE Deprivation often triggers binge eating. We avoid a food as lỏng as we can, then give in at vulnerable moments either because we're húngry or using food to cope with an emotion or an unmet need. Because we believe, however, that we shouldn't eat the food we give in to, or shouldn't use food to cope, we feel guilty or defeațed. We often rationalize, "tomorrow l'Il go back on my diet" and then go hog wild. The key to recovering from binge eating is learning how to not have to strictly avoid a food. Restriction will naturally trigger your primal brain. TRUE Binge Eating isn't an eating disorder like anorexia and bulimia. OR FALSE FALSE As someone who has gone through all three, I can assure you that each one is a disorder. While the physical consequences of binge eating disorder may be less "severe" than bulimia or anorexia, the psychological and emotional effects are still as vital. Most people don't realize, however, that binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder. It's estimated to afflict over 15 million Americans, more women than men. However, I caution you to not get stuck in the labels Giving yourself permission to binge may help you stop binge eating. TRUE OR FALSE TRUE It seems contradictory, but giving yourself permission to binge can actually help stop you from doing it. This was a method that worked in my recovery. Here's how it works: When you feel a binge coming on and don't think any other option will work to calm you, tell yourself it's OK to binge-with the requirement to stay present to your thoughts. (It's easy to "check out" and go into autopilot when binging.) After you have finished, the next critical component is to be kind to yourself. Like over-the-top: give yourself a bath, go for a massage, take a trip, go buy yourself a new dress...whatever it is that makes you feel doted upon. Loving yourself is a ninja move because it's the direct opposite of what you will want to do. Binge Eating BREAKTHROUGH . feel around food free www.bingeeatingbreakthrough.com