Do you struggle with binge eating? Do you feel like you cannot control your eating habits and that your eating habits negatively impact your life? I understand how you feel. I have experienced the same thing myself. When I was stressed or angry, I would open the refrigerator and eat whatever was in there. Then, I felt terrible, especially when I began to gain weight.
It’s not too late to change, and there are things you can do instead of binge eating.
Below are some alternatives to binge eating that have assisted me in transforming my relationship with food.
1. Maintain a regular eating schedule and avoid skipping meals
In the past, I did not eat breakfasts or lunches. I ate everything in sight after I returned home. After I started paying more attention to my diet and switching to three main meals and two snacks daily, I experienced many positive results. My usual headache stopped, and I started to lose weight. I also felt much more energetic. The most important change was that I stopped binge eating.
When we skip meals, we gain weight. The body stores calories as fat if it goes without food for a long period of time. Over time, you can gain weight and find it hard to lose it. Blood sugar fluctuations can also result from skipping meals. It can lead to mood swings, headaches, and fatigue. Having fewer meals also lowers your metabolism, making weight loss or maintenance harder.
It is, therefore, important to have nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Preparing your food is the best since you can add healthy ingredients. For snaking, fruits, vegetables, or nuts can be used.
2. Consume food with awareness
In this fast-paced world, we are not concerned with how we eat. I believe that we do not respect the food we consume. We simply gulp down something quickly to satisfy our hunger and rush to do our other tasks. It used to be my bad habit.
It is important to be mindful while eating to ensure that you are aware of your food choices and how they affect your body. You will feel more satisfied after slowing down and savoring each bite. Follow these tips to enhance your mindfulness when eating.
- Take a seat at a table and focus on what you are eating.
- Chew your food slowly and mindfully, paying attention to its taste and texture.
- Stay away from distractions like TV or social media.
- Make sure you eat only when you are hungry, and stop eating once you are satisfied.
- Feel how your body feels after eating – are you energized or sluggish? From this, you will know what types of foods are good and bad for you, so the next time, you can make a wiser choice.
This method allows your stomach to measure how much food you have already consumed so that you do not overeat. The most important benefit of this eating style is that you will enjoy your meals much better and control your calorie intake naturally.
Credit: todaysdietitian.com
3. Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water
The problem of dehydration is quite common among most people. We consume far less water than our body requires to function correctly. Mild dehydration is common and can result in headaches, fatigue, and a dry mouth.
In what ways can drinking enough water help you to avoid binge eating?
If you feel hungry, drinking plenty of water can assist you in preventing binge eating. You may find that your hunger feeling will diminish after you consume a large glass of water. Hunger and thirst signals are sometimes misinterpreted, so you may feel satisfied after drinking a large glass of water. By keeping your stomach full, water can also help you avoid hunger cravings and stay full.
In general, the more water a person drinks, the better. A person’s weight, age, and activity level determine how much water they require each day. The average person needs about eight glasses of water per day.
You should remember that drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol do not count because these ingredients dehydrate the body. Furthermore, beverages that contain a high level of sugar should be avoided.
It’s best to stick to pure water, sugar-free teas, or infused water. Take a bottle with you everywhere to avoid forgetting your daily dose.
4. Increase your consumption of protein-rich foods
It is also possible to prevent binge eating by increasing your protein intake. High-protein foods fill your stomach faster, so you can consume less. In addition, because the protein needs to be broken down more slowly, you will feel hungry much later, so you can consume less. Additionally, protein can also stimulate your metabolism, which can help you lose weight.
When choosing foods high in protein, you should choose lean proteins such as chicken or fish rather than processed meats and other high-fat products. You may also use protein powder, but I prefer to rely on natural foods whenever possible.
5. Make sure you consume more fiber-rich foods
The fiber keeps you fuller for longer, preventing binge eating. It is because fiber takes a long time to digest, slows down digestion, and keeps you fuller for longer. Moreover, fiber regulates blood sugar levels, preventing binge eating. Furthermore, fiber intake reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, assists with weight loss, and aids in the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. There are so many benefits of fiber that it is difficult to list them all.
Fiber is found in plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Some of the most nutritious high-fiber foods include berries, pears, apples, oatmeal, quinoa, black beans, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. But, all the plants that come from nature and we can eat will do.
You can eat these things as a snack between your main meals, make sources or smoothies, or they are also perfect as a side dish for protein-rich meat.
In my opinion, the best combination is a meal containing a substantial amount of plant foods and whole grains with a lean piece of meat. This meal is delicious, healthy, and filling – what more can we ask for?
Credit: tateandlyle.com
6. Maintain a sufficient level of sleep
Do you ever feel so exhausted from not getting enough sleep that your only thought is to eat? It’s as if your body is screaming at you to consume anything and everything.
As a result of sleep deprivation, binge eating can occur. Tired people are more likely to overeat and make poor food choices. But why? Sleep deprivation triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. This hormone signals the body to store more fat and makes you crave sugary and fatty foods. And these unhealthy foods provide quick energy so that you can stay awake. Therefore, getting enough sleep for a healthy weight and preventing binge eating is crucial.
In general, 7-8 hours of deep sleep is recommended depending on the individual’s age and level of activity.
Credit: clearvuehealth.com
7. Keep your emotions in check by exercising, especially yoga
Several emotional factors can contribute to binge eating. Feelings of stress, anxiety, sadness, boredom, and loneliness are among the most common causes. For instance, we may feel calm if we eat when stressed or anxious. Food may also provide comfort during times of sadness or loneliness.
Hence, we must first deal with the emotional triggers to avoid binge eating. Physical activities, such as exercising or even yoga, can help address these triggers.
Exercise can help you deal with these negative emotions. Exercising releases endorphins, which are mood-boosting hormones. Exercise also helps you sleep better, which is key to overall well-being. In addition, physical activity increases self-confidence and your ability to handle difficult situations. The type of workout you choose does not matter; anything can be beneficial.
Nonetheless, I recommend yoga since it’s more than an exercise. Yoga is also a spiritual activity.
By connecting the body and mind, yoga enables us to gain a deeper understanding of our internal processes, which enables us to release negative emotions. Furthermore, we learn how to control our breath through yoga, which can help us cope with negative emotions. Breathing helps us calm down and stay present. It is more difficult to feel overwhelmed by negative emotions when we remain in the present moment.
8. Your kitchen needs to be cleaned out of junk food
There is likely a lot of junk food and unhealthy snacks cluttering the cupboards in your home. It is not easy to resist binge eating when all the goodies are so close to you. Now it is your turn to get rid of them!
Here are some things you can start with.
- When junk food is no longer present, you are less likely to eat unhealthy foods. Make healthy replacements for unhealthy foods.
- Preparing healthy meals in advance will help you to avoid unhealthy snacks later in the day.
- Organize your cupboards and refrigerator so that healthy foods are visible.
- Make sure you stock up on healthy foods. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein should all be present in your kitchen.
- Write down healthy foods that you can eat when you’re hungry or tempted to binge. You can include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
- Plan your weekly meals based on the healthy foods you have available.
9. Make sure you don’t hesitate to ask for assistance
If you suffer from binge eating, you are not alone. This disorder affects millions of individuals, and help is readily available. You can seek professional help if your binge eating habits are out of control. An expert can suggest strategies for dealing with the causes of binge eating disorder. In addition, support groups are available for people with binge eating disorders. These groups provide support and understanding from others who are experiencing similar difficulties. Last but not least, do not forget about your friends and family. They are there for you as well.
Here is a summary of how you can distract yourself from binge urges
- Distract yourself with a completely different activity. Taking a stroll, watching a movie, reading a book, or watching a movie could be beneficial.
- Maintain a busy schedule throughout the day.
- Don’t keep unhealthy food in the house.
- Avoid the temptation to binge eat.
- Find a group of people who will support you.
- Don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance.
- Maintain a food diary to keep track of your eating habits.
- Plan out your meals for the week.
- Keep a positive attitude at all times.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to someone if you are having a hard time.
- Identify the triggers that lead you to binge and do your best to avoid them.
- Track your food in a journal to stay accountable.
- Make sure you are exercising regularly.
- A good night’s sleep is essential.