What is your experience with binge eating before/after PB? page

[Stephanie A.]

I was a binge eater for many (20+) years. I went through psychotherapy and it did not help. While I do believe there is a behavior component, I believe that for me, the physiological component came first. My body clearly cannot handle high-glycemic foods (sugars, starches, and alcohol). When I eat a little, I have a huge insulin response that results in an all-consuming desire to eat. After years of this response, I believe the behavior element was learned.

Since reducing carbs significantly and eliminating all processed foods, most dairy (I have a huge insulin surge from milk or yogurt) and starch, I don't binge anymore. I found this to be true with several years of following the Zone diet... unless I had something like Zone packaged foods -- my body just can't handle it. Now that I have been doing primal and eating all whole foods, I have had zero binges. The behavior rears its head under times of stress and I find myself standing in front of the snack cupboard or in the fridge searching. But I am not hungry and just walk away because the physiological based need to eat is no longer there.

I do find that I can tolerate 1 glass of wine sipped slowly with a meal, but more than that or if I drink it quickly, I have an overwhelming desire to eat. I am sure it is an insulin response to the wine.

I also think this is why Weight Watchers never worked for me... so many carbs, so little fat, I can only imagine the level of insulin in my blood. I binged continuously on Weight Watchers.

[Digby]

As I aged my cravings for sugary-starchy carbs grew progressively until I was having 1-2 binges a week; so, I eat no carb, meaning the good ones now, except in the presence of protein and/or fat. For me, even a banana or butternut squash can trigger that craving cycle we call a "binge" if I don't have it with protein-fat. Therefore, I can occasionally have a glass of wine with my dinner works for that reason. You have to figure out what you can tolerate.

[Bissen]

I was a binge eater for many (20+) years. I went through psychotherapy and it did not help. While I do believe there is a behavior component, I believe that for me, the physiological component came first. My body clearly cannot handle high-glycemic foods (sugars, starches, and alcohol). When I eat a little, I have a1) huge insulin response that results in an all-consuming desire to eat. After years of this response, I believe the behavior element was learned.

Since reducing carbs significantly and eliminating all processed foods, most dairy (I have a huge insulin surge from milk or yogurt) and starch, I don't binge anymore. I found this to be true with several years of following the Zone diet... unless I had something like Zone packaged foods -- my body just can't handle it. 2) Now that I have been doing primal and eating all whole foods, I have had zero binges. The behavior rears its head under times of stress and I find myself standing in front of the snack cupboard or in the fridge searching. 3) But I am not hungry and just walk away because the physiological based need to eat is no longer there.
I do find that I can tolerate 1 glass of wine sipped slowly with a meal, but more than that or if I drink it quickly, I have an overwhelming desire to eat. I am sure it is an insulin response to the wine.

I also think this is why Weight Watchers never worked for me... so many carbs, so little fat, I can only imagine the level of insulin in my blood. I binged continuously on Weight Watchers.

I've been a binger for a couple of years as well, and I nodd at everything you write! For example:
1) I remember one day I had been doing really well one day, no binging or bad eating. Then I was facking stupid enough to reward myself with a piece of carby crap, and BOOM - I started a binge.
2) While I've only been primal for a little less than a month, I have still not had any binges. There was one night with excess 85% dark chocolate, but that was it. And that was at least a week or two ago. JUST before going primal, and had daily binges - sometimes more than just once a day, and now I don't even THINK about or WANT to binge. It's simply amazing and SO freeing!
3) I also realise that I am in fact not hungry - and very most often respond to it (by not eating). Sometimes I'm low on energy (may still be carb flu, idk) but I usually grap nuts, a little avocado or shredded coconut.

Another thing I've noticed is how I get tired of eating. Previously, I'd shovel food (greens) down my throat to the point where my tummy was very protruding - stuffing myself, because I didn't feel satisfaction after having eating. All protein and greens, no fat. Another thing is that I was constantly hungry for "something". Those days are practically over! I still have days where I feel like I could eat a horse (but then again, I have four of them, so problem could be quickly solved, lol).

Have you read Evolutionary Psychiatry? She has some posts about EDs and carbs.

[lil_earthmomma]

I have struggled with binging, binging and purging, and the dreaded starve and binge cycle. Primal has tremendously helped with this, and I haven't purged in years. I am learning more and more as I go, from each binge. What triggered it, what I can do to stop it in its tracks, what I can do to avoid it in the future.

So far, it seems that meal planning is very important for me. If I am without a plan, I'm doomed to binge. Also, I have been very successful lately with eating healthy the very next meal, rather than letting my binge spiral out of control. I'm an emotional binger, so that is a constant battle too.

IF'ing has been the biggest help though. I never feel the urge to binge and listen to my body much more carefully when I'm fasting, or breaking a fast.