Is It Possible to Stop Binge Eating?

Everyone goes through phases where food is all they want and think about, and they can’t seem to put down those french fries, potato chips, or all that junk food. Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a treat; other times, it’s just those darned cravings.

But it becomes a problem when food is all you think about, and you find yourself increasingly bingeing on food when you’re out, or hiding food and eating it in secret, or really any fixation with food and eating. There are some ways to overcome this issue, however, including:

Stop restrictive behavior and patterns

Part of why binges occur can be attributed to restrictive behavior and patterns. When we write of certain food items and food groups, go on strict diets, and limit our consumption of certain things, we’re likely to fall off the rails harder when the opportunity arises.

Avoid skipping meals and eat regularly

This brings us to the second tip: don’t skip meals. Skipping breakfast or dinner or avoiding eating even when you’re hungry can be quite damaging and lead to bigger binges as you compensate for the hunger and lack of satiety. When you’re full-on nutrient-dense, high-quality foods, you’re likelier to avoid bingeing because you won’t be deprived.

Ditch the all-or-nothing thinking

However, alongside that, you need to ditch the all-or-nothing thinking which can trigger binges. There’s no such thing as good foods or bad foods; moderation is the key to health and better choices because it helps you add your favorite foods into an overall nutrient-focused diet. Rather than ditching everything you love and forcing yourself to live on salads and beans, you can remove the value judgment attached to a piece of chocolate and make it your daily treat so long as it’s in a set quantity.

Add movement to your routine

Movement is a gamechanger for controlling binges. This doesn’t mean you punish yourself with exercise or use it as an incentive to binge, but simply that when you’re more active, you’re less likely to rely on food for comfort. Endorphins, fitness goals and performance, and having a regular activity can make all the difference when you’re used to using food as a distraction, coping mechanism, or treat.

Binge eating may be the result of underlying struggles, including body image, issues with control, and eating disorders. Hypnosis in Rochester, NY, can help you cope with and curb your bingeing and train you develop a healthier relationship with food, as well as lose weight. Get in touch with us for online or in-office consultation with our professional hypnotist and counselor, Rekha Shrivastava.