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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Wild Fragaria on February 23, 2007, 01:50:48 pm

Title: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 23, 2007, 01:50:48 pm
Found this quite interesting.  Makes me feel like I should watch out the amount of food I ingest :D  I particularly find Craighead, the name quite amusing :D

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/02/22/VS.binge.eating/index.html

(CNN) -- For Natalie, it started in high school. She had always been a hearty eater, but increasingly, when life got stressful, she turned to food for comfort.

At first it was relatively harmless, she says, but in college, as her life pressures grew, her habit escalated to a full-fledged eating disorder called binge eating.

"I would maybe eat lunch with friends and eat a normal-size lunch," she says. "And then after lunch, when the people would leave, I would go and get more food and I would eat until I was very full or just couldn't eat any more."

Natalie, who doesn't want her last name used, remembers one of her biggest binges: two pints of ice cream and then "a sleeve of Ritz crackers with peanut butter, Triscuits, some cheese from the refrigerator, maybe some cream cheese straight out of the carton, maybe some mayonnaise right out of the jar."

While many of us overeat but never reach this extreme, doctors are becoming alarmed at the number of Americans who are becoming binge eaters. Binge eating has now become America's most common eating disorder, affecting one in 35 women, making it three times as common as anorexia nervosa, according to new research.

Doctors are also starting to understand how easy it can be to go from overeating to binge eating. (Are you a compulsive overeater? Answer Overeaters Anonymous' questions.external link )

"There can be a very fine line, and it can be very easy to cross," says psychologist Linda Craighead, author of "The Appetite Awareness Handbook."
From overeating to binge eating

Natalie says that in the beginning, she never knew she had a problem. "I just thought I had a big appetite," she says. "I've always loved food."

That's a fairly typical beginning for an eating disorder.

"Many individuals really like food, and like to pig out sometimes. They do that and they're not distressed about it," says Craighead, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Emory University. "But someone with binge-eating disorder, whenever they lose this control, they feel really bad afterwards."

Another hallmark of binge eating is secretiveness. Natalie says her eating was "sneaky." She binged in private and even went so far as to buy small amounts of food at different stores, so no one would see her buying huge amounts. She burned the extra calories by exercising excessively.

Eventually she couldn't keep it a secret anymore. In college, about five days a week she would binge and pass out, exhausted from the eating. She had to drop out of school. "It was like a feeling of being drunk. That kind of passing out," she says. "I thought I was going to die. I just thought, 'I'm really killing myself.' "
Why people binge

Natalie -- and experts on binge eating -- say food becomes an addiction, like alcohol or drugs. While using her chosen drug, Natalie felt a high. She said it distracted her from the problems in her life. "I was binging every day and it was a way that I was coping with the stress of school," she says.

The eating is a way to numb feelings, Craighead says. "The person is feeling bad and eating allows them to kind of temporarily tune that out," she says. "I call it the magician's trick: If you create a diversion -- which is the eating -- then you won't have to feel the feelings." (Interactive: What you can do if you think you might be a binge eater. )

Another cause of binging is compensating for a severe diet, experts say.

"When people are binging, it usually means that the rest of the time they're trying to eat really super healthy and so they get this psychological deprivation," says Craighead. "When you eat only broccoli, then when you binge, you're gonna go for something that you've been denying yourself."
Overcoming binge eating

When binge eaters come to see Craighead, one of the first things she tells them is to eat every few hours, so they won't feel deprived and go on a binge.

"We really insist that they eat breakfast, that they eat lunch, that they eat a midafternoon snack, and people surprise themselves that when they do that shift in their schedule, they actually feel less pressure to binge," she says.

Eating on a schedule helped Natalie, as did joining a support group.

Now 31, Natalie is a teacher and hasn't been on a binge in seven months. She still remembers the days when she felt alone. "I just thought something was wrong with me," she says. "I didn't know there was help, or that this actually existed as a disorder."
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 23, 2007, 04:47:03 pm
Interesting article...I've found that its not the undergrad life but the working life where I've got to watch more about what I'm eating.  Less active than when I was a student purely because I sit at a desk or attend meetings all day long so movement is somewhat less than walking/running to class.

The other thing to adjust to is, at least for me, about 15/16 was when I would have cravings for things and eat allot.  I think its just one of those developmental stages where your body needs as much food energy as possible.  Now I don't need to eat as much but I'd like to sometimes :)  Self restraint is holding me back!

The one thing is that humans fundamentally are meant to just eat as much as possible when the eating is good because in a more natural scenario food is not plentiful and you eat as much as possible when you can because you may not be able to for a while.  But in the western world the food is plentiful...so its a bit of a problem.
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 10:21:08 am
I love food and I eat a lot.  People are always amazed when they see how much I eat.  I don't think I am eating any less now, than when I was a teenager.  I enjoy food and making food.  Ask anyone who has tried my french toast and you'll probably wanna try some :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 25, 2007, 10:22:39 am
I love food and I eat a lot.  People are always amazed when they see how much I eat.  I don't think I am eating any less now, than when I was a teenager.  I enjoy food and making food.  Ask anyone who has tried my french toast and you'll probably wanna try some :D

Indeed.

And then convert half the kitchen to smoke trying to repeat it....... ;)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 25, 2007, 11:02:25 am
I love food and I eat a lot.  People are always amazed when they see how much I eat.  I don't think I am eating any less now, than when I was a teenager.  I enjoy food and making food.  Ask anyone who has tried my french toast and you'll probably wanna try some :D
All depends on what you're eating too ...and if its good stuff but you're eating allot then its just a matter of what you're body is used to.  I have a friend who works out constantly...he probably overdoes it but he eats like a horse because his metabolism is through the roof.  He'll order two dinners and is still thinner than I am...which is basically not possible :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 02:00:13 pm
I suppose having high metabolic rate does help burning the extra calories away.  I've been told I 'burn' like a radiator when I sleep at night (I don't feel the heat though)  :D  I eat a lot, as much as a 6 feet tall, 200lbs man will eat.  I particularly like ice cream and big cheesey lamby moussaka (& lagsana)  :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Getter Robo G on February 25, 2007, 02:04:01 pm
you've seen my picture, I'm just ...Balder  :(... And I eat like that and little to no exercise.

I'd tell AL he can come over, but I'm not sharing my Oncorr Dinner, he has to bring his own!


Personally I think they need to develop a sex addiction! Think about it a sec ( :nervous:) Sex never caused cholesterol, sex never blocked an artery (unless you do that bondage thing), sex never makes you gain a dress size (unless you're not on the pill or forget to wrap that rascal)...

So do I have any converts???  ;7

"Say NO to Pro-Anna, say YES to Ba-nana!!!  (insert dancing Banana gif HERE!)

Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 25, 2007, 02:05:13 pm
I suppose having high metabolic rate does help burning the extra calories away.  I've been told I 'burn' like a radiator when I sleep at night (I don't feel the heat though)  :D  I eat a lot, as much as a 6 feet tall, 200lbs man will eat.  I particularly like ice cream and big cheesey lamby moussaka (& lagsana)  :D

Oooh, toasty :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 25, 2007, 02:27:45 pm
you've seen my picture, I'm just ...Balder  :(... And I eat like that and little to no exercise.

I'd tell AL he can come over, but I'm not sharing my Oncorr Dinner, he has to bring his own!


Personally I think they need to develop a sex addiction! Think about it a sec ( :nervous:) Sex never caused cholesterol, sex never blocked an artery (unless you do that bondage thing), sex never makes you gain a dress size (unless you're not on the pill or forget to wrap that rascal)...

So do I have any converts???  ;7

"Say NO to Pro-Anna, say YES to Ba-nana!!!  (insert dancing Banana gif HERE!)
I would say that 99% of people already have an addiction to sex.  Thats not really a problem :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 02:29:29 pm
I would say that 99% of people already have an addiction to sex.  Thats not really a problem :)

Any statistical report on that?  :)

BY the way, you have not posted your picture on the picture thread :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 25, 2007, 02:31:12 pm
you've seen my picture, I'm just ...Balder  :(... And I eat like that and little to no exercise.

I'd tell AL he can come over, but I'm not sharing my Oncorr Dinner, he has to bring his own!


Personally I think they need to develop a sex addiction! Think about it a sec ( :nervous:) Sex never caused cholesterol, sex never blocked an artery (unless you do that bondage thing), sex never makes you gain a dress size (unless you're not on the pill or forget to wrap that rascal)...

So do I have any converts???  ;7

"Say NO to Pro-Anna, say YES to Ba-nana!!!  (insert dancing Banana gif HERE!)
I would say that 99% of people already have an addiction to sex.  Thats not really a problem :)

It's one of the few cases where going cold turkey is more regular than servicing the addiction....
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 25, 2007, 02:34:01 pm
I would say that 99% of people already have an addiction to sex.  Thats not really a problem :)

Any statistical report on that?  :)

BY the way, you have not posted your picture on the picture thread :)
I have no stats on that...BUT...I imagine it to be true as there IS 6 billion of us on the planet.  We seem to have no problem with procreation.

Finding a picture of me requires finding one without some ridiculous grin on my face :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 25, 2007, 02:35:40 pm
Finding a picture of me requires finding one without some ridiculous grin on my face :)

Welcome to my world :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 02:38:12 pm
Interesting hypothesis -- the human sexual behavior by Icy.   Field study is probably required :P

Well, I can tell you if you have cheesey grin in the picture if you send it to me first before you post it :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 25, 2007, 02:41:56 pm
Finding a picture of me requires finding one without some ridiculous grin on my face :)

Welcome to my world :D
Yeah I'm looking through all of my digital camera shots from the last year ...and geeze...not a single one I like of me.  And there's only 4-5 to choose from because I'm always the one taking the pictures!
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 02:51:15 pm
Welcome to my world, I am always the one who takes pictures of others :D  So is that mean you will still put one of them up... for me (please please please...)  :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 25, 2007, 02:54:19 pm
Welcome to my world, I am always the one who takes pictures of others :D  So is that mean you will still put one of them up... for me (please please please...)  :D

Well, I'll take pictures of you if you want......... ;) :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: IceFire on February 25, 2007, 02:55:44 pm
Welcome to my world, I am always the one who takes pictures of others :D  So is that mean you will still put one of them up... for me (please please please...)  :D
Have a look in the OMGZ PICTURES thread...thats the best I can find...in 2 years of shots. And its still ridiculous because I was very excited to be sitting in a sports car I'll never be able to afford and would consider impractical if I could :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 25, 2007, 03:01:34 pm
You're awsome Icy  *big hug*  You have a very big happy grin :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Stealth on February 26, 2007, 05:44:17 pm
Doctors are also starting to understand how easy it can be to go from overeating to binge eating. (Are you a compulsive overeater? Answer Overeaters Anonymous' questions.external link )

that confused me :(
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 26, 2007, 06:00:39 pm
It's a 'thin' line that people might do it without realizing it? :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 26, 2007, 06:01:27 pm
It's a 'thin' line that people might do it without realizing it? :)

A thin line of what?  Sausages? :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 26, 2007, 06:02:56 pm
Sausages sounds good.  One of my favorite dishes is bangers & mash :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Rand al Thor on February 27, 2007, 05:32:00 pm
I follow a strict regeime of a breakfast consisting of: banana, one piece of, apple and orange, one piece of each (cut into 4 segments).

then with that behind me I can feel secure in the knowledge I've had my fruit/vegetable intake, while I inhale sandwiches (ham, cheese/chocolate spread/jam/sausages, rashers), burgers (Big Als), pizzas, lasange, spaghetti, trad dinner (spuds, veg and meat), several packets of biscuits and whatever chocolate snack is in the house washed down with possibly ten cups of tea. Milk no sugar (gotta watch those pounds).

I have on occassion been nicknamed 'the camel'. But thats also because I'm good at going without food for long stretches.

No but seriously, like Icefire says, everyone should love eating. But I can't see how becoming hugely overweight is a thin line. You realise when you're putting on weight and if you really don't want it to happen then you do something about it.

I really gotta start running seriously again.
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Flipside on February 27, 2007, 05:46:23 pm
I eat very little to be honest, never been a big eater, but I'm not nearly as bad as Sharon. Because she was orphaned at 16 she more or less grew up on TV Dinners, nowadays she won't even risk something as exotic as a Chinese, because she convinces herself she won't like before she even tastes it :(
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 27, 2007, 09:05:08 pm
I follow a strict regeime of a breakfast consisting of: banana, one piece of, apple and orange, one piece of each (cut into 4 segments).

then with that behind me I can feel secure in the knowledge I've had my fruit/vegetable intake, while I inhale sandwiches (ham, cheese/chocolate spread/jam/sausages, rashers), burgers (Big Als), pizzas, lasange, spaghetti, trad dinner (spuds, veg and meat), several packets of biscuits and whatever chocolate snack is in the house washed down with possibly ten cups of tea. Milk no sugar (gotta watch those pounds).

I have on occassion been nicknamed 'the camel'. But thats also because I'm good at going without food for long stretches.

That's a lot of food and tea  :eek:  I thought I was a big eater, but that's not even half of what you ingested! (today for example -- dinner and evening: I had two hotdogs, two meatball sandwiches that had two golfball size meatballs in each, some slaw, tomato salad, an apple, a bottle of beer and three cups of tea; for lunch and afternoon: I had a bowl of rice, peri-peri chicken, big bowl of steamed cauliflower & carrots, a cup hot chocolate and a dozen chocolate mint cookies).  I also have a big breakfast in morning to start my day :D

Quote
No but seriously, like Icefire says, everyone should love eating. But I can't see how becoming hugely overweight is a thin line. You realise when you're putting on weight and if you really don't want it to happen then you do something about it.

I really gotta start running seriously again.

Didn't you 'run' enough while you're in China?  :P

I eat very little to be honest, never been a big eater, but I'm not nearly as bad as Sharon. Because she was orphaned at 16 she more or less grew up on TV Dinners, nowadays she won't even risk something as exotic as a Chinese, because she convinces herself she won't like before she even tastes it :(

Aw... maybe I can try to get her to try some Chinese next time I visit :D  I can start with my homestyle french toast :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 28, 2007, 02:58:20 am
I eat very little to be honest, never been a big eater, but I'm not nearly as bad as Sharon. Because she was orphaned at 16 she more or less grew up on TV Dinners, nowadays she won't even risk something as exotic as a Chinese, because she convinces herself she won't like before she even tastes it :(

Aw... maybe I can try to get her to try some Chinese next time I visit :D  I can start with my homestyle french toast :D

That's not chinese! :D

What about crazy noodles? :D
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 28, 2007, 06:00:05 am
Good call.  I will have to find some good crazy noodles for Sharon to try.
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 28, 2007, 06:13:03 am
Good call.  I will have to find some good crazy noodles for Sharon to try.

Or Char Koay Tiao? :)
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Flipside on February 28, 2007, 06:26:07 am
Heh, she'll only even eat Spaghetti Bolgnese if it comes out of a Heinz Tin, sometimes I despair.....
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: aldo_14 on February 28, 2007, 06:42:12 am
Heh, she'll only even eat Spaghetti Bolgnese if it comes out of a Heinz Tin, sometimes I despair.....

What about a jeely piece?
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Rand al Thor on February 28, 2007, 06:43:40 am
Ok, OK! I'll come clean. That list of food wasn't what I'd eat in a day. It would at a stretch get me through three.

No, in all seriousness, I generally just have for breaky; fruit and cereal, for lunch; sandwiches or mini-pizza or a burger (something round that size) and a big dinner; meat, spuds and veg or equivalent. I don't generally eat much but I can when the time calls for it. Those times would be at all you can eat Pirogi restaurants or when friends dont like their spaghetti bolgnese because it's 'too wet'(?).

And China was nearly my undoing. I hate waste, but at home that aint a problem because I do have some standards and they preclude me from eating the leftovers off other peoples plates. But in China, with communal dishes, my own personal quest to prevent good food being thrown out nearly killed me. And it was far to cold outside to go running as I only had a pair of shorts with me to run in. And the cheap tracksuit bottoms I bought had a hole in the crotch that I missed in the shop. Actually, a sporran would've done the job nicely in that case. Hmmm.....

Quote from: Flipside
Heh, she'll only even eat Spaghetti Bolgnese if it comes out of a Heinz Tin, sometimes I despair.....

Yeah I have a mate from college like that. He will only eat chicken and chips. We (the class) still meet up for dinner and drinks every now and then but no matter what restaurant we're in (italian, spanish, mongolian) he'll only eat C&C. The farthest I've seen him bend is to eat some barbequed potato and chicken at the mongolian restaurant. This man would, without a doubt, prefer to eat in McDonalds then at ... uh, someone throw me a famously excelent restaurant. All I'm coming up with is my local chippy; Luigi's.
Title: Re: Overeating Or Binge??
Post by: Wild Fragaria on February 28, 2007, 09:48:53 pm
You still eat a fair amount :D  I don't like to waste food either and I quite often end up being the food 'disposal' :D  (Oh and I over ate again, at lunch today  ;7)