Binge eating is one of the reasons why some people get fat. Before you say that binge eating is just plain gluttony, you should know that binge eating is actually a type of eating disorder where the person has a constant urge to eat lots of food. This desire to eat is independent of the person feeling hungry. Binge eating is usually a manifestation of stress, tiredness or when a person is emotionally compromised.
As you well know, binge eating is very unhealthy especially since it wreaks havoc on the body’s natural metabolic cycle. The obvious effect of binge eating is obesity and all of the attendant problems related to it like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The first step towards stopping binge eating is to recognize that you have a problem. You have to be able to admit to yourself that you have an eating problem. Be aware of the people around you. If you’ve been getting comments about having a big appetite or a ballooning weight then think of it as a warning and an opportunity to face the problem head-on.
Having identified that you have a problem you should now be more conscious about your eating habits. You should be more aware of how you eat. Start by controlling when you eat. Only eat when you feel hungry. Listen to your body and only take food when you feel hunger pangs. Don’t eat when it is not within your routine or if you’re bored. In fact, don’t eat unless you’re hungry. You should learn to identify real physical hunger and just eat when you feel it.
You should also learn to control the portions that you eat. It’s really not so much the amount of food that you eat that’s important but in savoring the food that you eat. Take the time to eat your food and wait for at least twenty minutes before deciding whether you want to get second or third helpings. The reason for this is wait is because your body takes that much time to determine that it is already sated. If you feel that you’re depriving yourself, a good solution would be getting double or triple helpings but at significantly reduced portions. You can also use smaller plates to trick your mind into thinking that there is a lot of food on the plate. (Read our articles on how to control cravings and stop overeating).
Binge eating is sometimes a manifestation of a void in a person’s life – like being alone, a failed romance or family problems. Don’t let food serve as a palliative to your problems. You have to face your problems and confront it head on.
As a way to get your mind off food, you can start other activities like a sport. This will not only keep your mind off food, the exercise will also help you lose weight.
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