Food Addiction--New for 2008

[Sugar Free Franny]

Well, yesterday I did very good. I ate around 20 grams of carbs and felt satisified all day. So far this morning, I have had a mozzarella cheese stick and two cups of coffee. I will have a satisfying breakfast soon. I usually don't like eating too early in the morning.

I am actually looking forward to getting on the scale this week. I am usually fearful of the results.

[Pcola Girl]

Franny, I love the mozzarella cheese sticks to. I always keep some handy for a snack to when I am playing here on my computer.
I also keep olives and cheese cubes to in the fridge for snacks.
I do ok with my meals but it was the snacking that was my problem until I started keeping foods in the fridge just for snacking and that I could get to easy. This has helped me so much to.

I never look forward to getting on the scales even when I know I have lost some, don't know why but I just hate the scales. I only weigh in at my doctors when I see him. I go quite often for some medical problems I have usually every couple of months and sometimes more often. So I get weighed a lot. My doctor and I talk a lot to about my low carb and he isall for me being on it.

We are moving into our new home this week, so I will be away for awhile, probably all this week I know after today. I spent all afternoon getting the electric and water and trash pick up changed over to our new home beginning tomorrow so I hope they have it ready for us.
The cable company , which I have my cable, phone and internet service with, cannot come out until this Saturday morning to hook that all up for us. I have to have cable wires ran because there is none yet on the house.
Will see you all again when I can. It will probably be next week sometime though.

Be good and watch those carbs.

[Sugar Free Franny]

Well, I am grateful to have this thread here. Thanks for your response PCola. Conrads on the new home and good luck on getting in there as stress free as possible.

I am doing well with my carb intake. I wouldn't say under 20, but between 20 and 30 grams. My pants feel loser and I feel a bit tired today so I must be detoxing eventhough I have been faithfully working at this for 4 days now. I will get some water and lunch soon. I am sure that will help.

I also love olives. I have green olives stuffed with Jalapenos and they are so good.

I will check in on Sunday or so to see how you are all doing. I will be weighing myself on Friday.

Thanks for the support.

[ahamiam1]

woohoo for staying on track!

olives stuffed w/ jalapeños sound awesome

[Star123]

Hi Ladies,

I know I've been a compulsive eater most of my life and I'm now going to do research on the subject. When I'm working my eating program without using food to feed my compulsion, I do well. But, when I don't take the care and attention to control this behaviour, I eat non-stop and sabotage everything I've worked for. It becomes mindless eating and when I get started, nothing satisfies my hunger and I can't seem to stop the binge. Although I haven't had as many binges now then I did in the pass, I still need support. This is a daily struggle and I know I can only do it one day at a time.

You'll have a great night!!!

[ahamiam1]

One day at a time for sure! That is exactly what we are all doing. Smaller goals are much easier to manage than huge ones and in the end you will meet that bigger goal by sticking by those smaller ones. We all need the support and that is exactly why all of us are here

[jeepifer]

Hey everyone,

Day 3 here, on plan. So far so good! It's taking some time and effort to plan everything out and follow to a "T" but I know in the long run it will be worth it!

-- Jenn

[MountainGirl]

Originally Posted by Star123

Hi Ladies,

I know I've been a compulsive eater most of my life and I'm now going to do research on the subject. When I'm working my eating program without using food to feed my compulsion, I do well. But, when I don't take the care and attention to control this behaviour, I eat non-stop and sabotage everything I've worked for. It becomes mindless eating and when I get started, nothing satisfies my hunger and I can't seem to stop the binge. Although I haven't had as many binges now then I did in the pass, I still need support. This is a daily struggle and I know I can only do it one day at a time.

You'll have a great night!!!

Hi Star,

I'm exactly the same. I've been doing great and then tonight I blew it and binged. Why? I dunno. I wish I knew so I could stop. But, anyway, I'm back on track after the binge and determined to eat clean every day. I also need y'all's support to keep going and not crash and burn.

[Pcola Girl]

Well I am back, we got all moved into our new house but still have alot of boxes to unpack. I just unpack what I can each day until they are all done.
I am just glad the move is all over. My health and old body is not like it use to be and I tell you I hurt all over. I think every muscle in my body aches.
My hubby has been great about helping me unpack and put things up.
Sunday I was hurting so bad that I stayed in bed all day and did not even go to church and later that afternoon when I got up he had unpacked all the dishes and pots and pans and had them all put into the cabinets.

We made a trip to the grocery store yesterday and I got all my salad fixings and low carb wraps I like to make my sandwiches with. So I am strickly low carbing and not eating anymore things that I should not be eating. I need to lose these last 60 pounds real bad for my knees, if I don't I may lose my ability to walk and I don't want that to happen. I see my knee doctor next month so I am not sure if he will schedule the surgery on them then or not. He made me go through four weeks rehab first with them and next week is my last one. I don't think it has helped at all myself. They are just worn out from this arthritis and from me being so over weight for most my life.
I wish I could turn back time and lose the weight when I was younger but I can't. Maybe then they would not be as bad as they are now.

Take care everyone and I will see ya later.

[Sugar Free Franny]

Well, I have been eating too many carbs this last week. I realize what a problem I truly have. Even though they weren't all bad carbs (oatmeal, whole wheat, ezekial bread), I know that I am supposed to stay away from them. I seem to set myself up by saying, "One little piece won't hurt". Well, guess what? Now I am afraid to even get on the scale.

This morning I had two eggs and two slices of Ezekial bread. The two slices puts me at 32 grams of carbs already for the day. However, I will abstain from having anymore carbs for the rest of the day (except from veges) and I will drink my water and I will most importantly forgive myself for this food addiction that I have.

Thanks for all being here and I will make it a point to visit daily so that I have well needed support.

[mmaria]

Hi Angela,

I'm in Montreal too. how nice to here from someone in my city.

I read this Thread and I have everything in common with everyone here. I mean it. we are all do alike. we are not the only one. let's try to get out of it. I'm fed up with this kind of eating. I eat and eat and eat till I'm so full that I cannot eat anymore. or nothing is left to eat. I eat for any reason board, tiered, fatigue, over work, kids, parents place, and finally for everything all I think about is eating when I have a problem. like now I' m suppose to work but instead I'm checking LC. I want to liberate myself from this. eating is controlling me 100%......I'm very tiered unless I eat.

[ahamiam1]

maria, from montreal, eh? It's a small world! Are you originally from here?

[PacificWind]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around the board for a few weeks and just signed up. I have a food addiction/compulsive overeating issue that (I think) is the main cause of my weight issue. I've finally decided - as of this afternoon, actually - to start low carbing and get control over it.

While I wish no one had this sort of issue, it is good to read threads like this - it lets me know I'm not alone!

[Sugar Free Franny]

Well, I continued with my binge til Friday night when I overloaded on movie theatre popcorn and made myself literally sick. If that's not an addiction I don't know what is.

I made it back to induction yesterday with the help of feeling so ill from the day before I don't even want to look at a bad carb.

I feel good this morning. Got lots of water in and am taking it one day at a time. I realize how much good food is to be eaten on this WOE. I have done it before and I know I can do it again.

Anyone that is on this thread has a great opportunity to really get into recovery based on the fact that they are admitting they have a problem with bad carbs. I hope to see this thread continue. I know I need the support.

Welcome and keep coming back.

[sk8rmom]

Hi all. I've been reading these boards for a couple of years but haven't ever posted. I've been so VERY frustrated lately because I've just gone through yet another of my lose/gain cycles. This has been going on since I was a child, and I'm now 54. I'm so tired of it!! I have a theory that I'd like to know if anyone out there has ever investigated. A couple of years ago I was very anemic, and at the time I just couldn't get enough ice to chew. I always had to have a large cup of ice wherever I was. It was annoying to those around me to be sure! Now that I'm no longer anemic, I really don't care if I have ice in my drinks. This really surprises anyone who was around me during my "crunch" years! My doc explained that chewing ice is a common craving with iron deficiency. So what about a link to some kind of mineral deficiency with food craving?? I am so tired of obsessing about food, and I'm really not just trying to "blame" it on something outside of me, but it is so similar to my old ice cravings, that I can't help but wonder if there's something missing. Any thoughts . . . ?

[Sugar Free Franny]

Well, I hope there are still people visiting this addiction thread. I know it's important that it's here for me.

Welcome sk8rmom. I personally believe in our bodies being deficient of certain vitimins, minerals etc. I say just make sure to take your supplements with plenty of water and eat the Atkins way and you'll be on your way to a healthier you. I know this is true for me.

I am feeling good today. This is my third day on induction. I will be eating in this 20 gram range til March 8th (Saturday) and then I will take it from there. I know that if I want to continue to lose weight I will still need to stay low on the carb scale. That is how it worked for me before. I also know that as I stay low on the carbs I feel less foggy and distracted, I have better menstrual cycles, healthier skin, nearly zero moodiness, more energy and am overall a happier person. However, it's when I get too comfortable with how I am feeling that I usually start thinking that I don't need to restrict myself anymore. That's when my eating gets out of control.

Thanks for listening and have a great day.

[Quirky]

Hi everyone! I'm an compulsive overeater/bulimic, and I think it's related to my ADHD, which I was diagnozed with only 3 months ago. I've just started to take medication, and I'm noticing that I'm more in control, I don't binge that often anymore (it used to be 1-4 times a week). The reason why I think my eating disorder is linked to my ADHD, is that I recently read a book about addiction (including eating disorder) and ADHD. It focuses on the link between the neurotransmitter dopamine and addction. There's been research proving a connection between not only addiction, but also obesity, and dopamine levels in the brain. Here's a more recent research report. I wonder why they haven't started treating addicts with medicine that stimulates dopamine levels.

Enough rambling about dopamine, I just find it interesting, and thought you might as well.

[Smythe]

I too am a binge eater. I made it to goal and maintained the loss for about 2 years. A stressful job has been my undoing...I'm up 30 lbs and went from a size 4 back up to a 10. Now I know some of you may be thinking a size 10 is nothing to complain about, and you'd be correct except I'm always 1 step away from my old size 16...1 move dive into the oreo abyss and all my hard work can be undone. It took a little over a year to take the wt off...and about 3 months to pack on these last 15-20 lbs.
I medicate with food...no doubt. I guess medicating with drugs or alcohol would be worse, but at least my freakin' pants would fit
I spent a small fortune buying new clothes during my wt loss. I wasn't smart enough to save the "fat clothes". So now I go to places like Marshalls to by $12 pants for work and home

Anyway, all is not lost! I have been on plan since thursday 2/21. Back in the gym, working off the shelf butt! I do not want to go back to where I was, so I'm glad to have found this thread.

Thanks for providing me with a place to come and vent, where people actually get what I'm talking about!!! If it were all about will power, this thread would not be necessary....

[Pcola Girl]

Hi everyone, hope you are doing well today.
I am still trying to find that article I read once on sugar addiction about how its so addictive that if the FDA knew a long time ago just how addictive it was that you could only get it by prescription.
I have not found it yet but I did find this article for you all to read.
_________________________________________

Anyone on a low carb diet knows that sugar is damaging to the body in so many ways, including weight gain. If you need some motivation to avoid a sugar addiction, read this list of health problems associated with sugar. The info here has been compiled from medical journals and other publications, including, "Lick The Sugar Habit" by Nancy Appleton, PhD.

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system. This is possibly the most meaningful reason to avoid sugar, whether you are trying to stick to a low carb diet or not. The info here comes from 2 different research projects that have been done at Loma Linda University. The research evaluated the effects of sugar on phagocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system that eat up bad bacteria and foreign invaders. To put it simply, the more bacteria consumed by the phagocytes, the stronger the immune system, and the less chance for disease. One of the Loma Linda studies showed that sugar caused the phagocytic index to drop dramatically which had a negative effect on the amount of debris that could be removed by the immune system.

2. Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance. Minerals like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc are crucial to bodily functions. If just one of these minerals is depleted, the whole body chemistry can be disrupted. With just 2 teaspoons of sugar, micronutrients in the body can change radically, throwing the blood chemistry out of balance. Some mineral levels increase, some decrease, and delicate ratios are upset. So, even a small sugar can negate the effects of consuming extra calcium or mineral supplements. If you are on a low carb diet and troubled about getting enough valuable nutrients, like calcium, this is another fine reason to avoid sugar.

3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, and concentration difficulties in children. Oh, and did we mention, fatness? Take a look at Saturday morning TV ads or the breakfast products on grocery store shelves and it seems that sugary cereals are part of the standard American diet for children. Children throughout the U.S. are still consuming sugary cereals before they head off to school while fatness and other health problems are mounting. Even something as healthful as oatmeal is full of sugar in those immediate flavor variety packs. You may think oatmeal is a fine low carb, high fiber food, but once the sugar is sprinkled on it, oatmeal is no longer part of a low carb diet. In addition, look at all the sugar being consumed by children in sodas and other products that are loaded with high fructose corn syrup.

Writing for The Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1986, J. Goldman noted in "Behavioral Effects of Sucrose on Preschool Children" that a dose of sugar equivalent to that found in a 12-ounce soda did really disrupt the performance of children at school. It caused their concentration levels to decrease and their inappropriate behaviors to increase. It is meaningful to note that in 1976 the sugar industry found it was less costly to make sugar from corn than from beets or sugar cane. Since then, high fructose corn syrup has replaced sucrose as a sweetener in processed foods and sodas. It has been shown that fructose causes the white blood cells of the immune system to become inactive and unable to protect the body against damaging intruders. Anyone on a low carb diet should watch out for high fructose corn syrup.

4. A sugar addiction speeds up the aging progress. When sugar is consumed on a regular basis the pancreas can become over stimulated and secrete too much insulin. Excess insulin can cause a drop in normal blood sugar levels, and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may develop. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can involve tiredness, memory failure, quick heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, headaches and depression. These may sound like diseases of the old, but more and more young people are experiencing these warning signs daily. If you feel like some of these symptoms are all too familiar, be diligent about removing sugar from your diet and note the changes in your body. Sticking to a low carb diet and avoiding sugar addictions will at least give you more energy.

5. Sugar can cause arthritis. Arthritis is another disease that has been linked to old age, but now there are many indications that sugar is playing a role in younger people developing arthritic symptoms. As mentioned before, a body that is suffering a mineral imbalance may make inflammation in the bones, joints and cartilage owing to the accumulation of toxic minerals, generally calcium. Once again, the delicate mineral balance has been upset by too much sugar. When one mineral decreases, another may increase, and in some cases, excess calcium will end up in joints, causing arthritic spurs and other problems associated with bone diseases. Simply eliminating sugar and sticking to a low carb diet, may result in weight loss, which will help take some of the stress off those achy knees and ankles.

This is a short list of the many ways that sugar contributes to health challenges. It is hard to avoid sugar in foods being sold at grocery stores. However, on the Internet, you can find low carb foods, healthful snacks for a child, nutrition for athletes and other all natural foods that are not loaded with refined sugar. Have you ever heard of stevia sweetener? Stevia sweetener is one sweetener that may in fact be fine for maintaining normal blood sugar levels as it helps curb cravings. Stevia sweetener is not an artificial sweetener as it is made from the stevia plant. Primarily grown in Peru, stevia has been used by indigenous peoples of South America for centuries as a sweetener for their foods and beverages. So, there are ways to avoid over consumption of sugar, but it takes some diligence and awareness. Watch out for high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and dextrin. These are just as bad for you as eating refined, white sugar right out of the bag.

[Smythe]

I've seen that article before somewhere...maybe on the playground??
Did you do a search here...might get lucky!!!

[Sugar Free Franny]

Amazing how all these statistics are out and yet it seems as though sugar was made a part of my diet when I was just a baby. So sad. I have to say, not eating sugar now makes eating foods like blueberries and other berries so much sweeter. I always thought fruit like that had to be sweetened, but they are sweet enough.

My mind tells me sometimes that I can eat whatever I want in "moderation". Well, there is no such thing as moderation. My problem is that I will not only eat some sugar, but now I want some bread, pasta, potatoes, rice. I don't only crave the obvious (cookies, cake, etc) I crave it all...

I had a minor slip yesterday. I don't believe it did any scale damage, however, it didn't make me feel well physically and emotionally cause I start beating myself up for it. I came out of it and remembered to forgive myself and continue on with my day.

I appreciate you all being here and look forward to sharing my experience, strength and hope and hearing all of yours.

[Pcola Girl]

Smythe, I got the article on the internet while beb browsing...
I saw another one awhile ago about sugar being addictive but I can not find it now, the one I posted is the only good one I could find about it.

[jerseychica]

40-Winks: What supplements are you taking that you think help w/ur cravings? I have horrible cravings for sweets. I started Induction on Thursday and have felt great but this morning (period induced) I was really bad.

[GettingHealthy]

Glad I found this thread. Hope it's okay for me to join? I attempted induction today, then when the house was empty I started binging, when they returned home (my son and my ex) I stopped. Then tonight after bedtime I binged some more-- so tomorrow is a new day and I will start all over. I'll post tomorrow night on how I did..Here's hoping everyone has a great day tomorrow!!

By the way, I ordered a 12 step book for overeaters, not knowing they have a book for food addiction, are they both the same essentially?? I mean I would think so..if anyone could chime in on their difference, if any, I'd appreciate that.

[Rrecovery]

I was strolling through the internet last night when I came upon this site. It is wonderful that people are calling this thing I have an "addiction" because that is exactly what it is. 20 months ago I joined Food Addicts Anonymous and things have been going incredibly well. I attend the phone meetings regularly, follow the suggested food plan and work a program of recovery. We have started two face to face meetings here on Long Island to carry the message to others.

Bob