Guilt about overeating-- is there such thing as a healthy binge?

Many of my group members feel guilt and feel badly about overeating. My view of this is that maybe we can't control our urges as best as we'd like, but we can control what we eat. And this can make a big difference. Basically if you are going to go nuts, do it with tasty and healthy food, vs tasty and unhealthy food.

For example, a pint of Ice cream binge is not going to help you. But if you eat food with lots of vegetables, beans and some lean meat, it is a lot of calories, but it is also a lot of nutrients. Is it possible to have a "healthy binge"?

Fri. May 16, 11:11am

I think overeating is just another thing in the long list of bad habits that I had to deal with if I didn't want to put the weight back on, and fight some internal battle forever. I know there is no perfect, but there is healthy balance.

A binge or overeating is not natural, even if "everyone" does it. I also think that it is natural and healthy to be somewhat hungry between meals. If I think I should not feel mildly hungry most of the time (the kind that goes away when I am distracted) I am going to be overeating and also bingeing.

However, your point is well taken. If you don't want to be "completely" out of the frustrating game, then overeating with healthy food is a better option.

Friday, May 16, 2008, 12:18 PM

I thinking binging by definition is not 'healthy.' It's an abuse of food, so it wouldn't really matter what the food is.

Friday, May 16, 2008, 6:57 PM

I look at it two ways.
I still struggle with being able to control the amount of food I eat. I stay within a certain calorie range no matter how much I eat. And If I find myself out of control it is with a healthy food. I realize it is something I need to continue to work on and I don't know how long it will take to overcome it.
But I would much rather over do it on healthy foods than unhealthy.

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 1:41 AM

For me a binge is about craving bad, sweet, greasy, unhealthy food. And the craving only goes if i eat what i crave.

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 12:48 PM

I think sometimes our bodies have a reason to crave things. I remember back before I needed to lose weight and always ate very healthy, I would occasionally start to feel sick. Then I would "binge" and eat five pieces of pizza or something like that and afterwards I would feel so much better. So obviously my body needed calories or something that the food had to offer that I wasn't getting enough of eating salads and grilled chicken.

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 1:16 PM

The healthy binge ? ?

I think that a binge for someone who is already very disciplined about what they are eating is an indication that your diet plan does not have enough nutritents in it. If I eat only enough very healthy food to lose weight then of course my body is not getting what it wants because it is on a trajectory toward death, so it fights back with craving. But it is wrong about what it really needs, you can't listen to your body in this case. BUT -

If you we on a really restricive diet for months and you had a huge monster chef salad with tons of veggies and ham and turkey and cheese chunks and some big dark croutons and a little of some moderately sugary/fatty dressing, that would be a "healthy binge" because you would be taking in a huge amount of calories and nutrients as well as getting a balance of carbs, fat, and protein. and giving your body a little break from its ordeal, which once a month wouldn't be bad.
For me I am living in a VERY carb restricted world, so my body craves carbs, and I want to eat 4 bowls of sugar cereal and two PB&Js - but instead of binging, I find a better response is to add JUST a little more carbs in my diet (a handful of shredded wheat n' bran and later one slice of whole wheat bread) This way, my body is not flipping out so much.

Monday, May 19, 2008, 10:23 AM

To keep from binging and craving, I have one "bad" day each week. I don't go crazy but I do eat enjoy some old favorites that I no longer allow myself to have on a regular basis. For example, I may have a chicken biscuit for breakfast that day, a healthy lunch, and a moderately healthy dinner and a dessert. I can stick to my diet throughout the rest of the week because I know I will treat myself on that one day.

Some health professionals believe that having the "bad" foods once in a while keeps the body guessing - which helps keep your metabolism up.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 1:43 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge