Myths about Emotional Eating and Binge Eating Disorder

MYTH NO. 1: You have Binge Eating Disorder because you eat when you are upset or anxious. It is true that people who binge often do so to numb emotions. Emotions such as sadness, painfulness or upsetting feelings. Most people do not have Binge Eating Disorder that turn to food because of how they are feeling. MYTH NO. 2: You have BED if you eat a lot of food in one sitting. A binge is indeed eating a significant amount of food in a short amount of time. But bingeing from time to time does not mean you have a disorder. 80% of people binge occasionally, for example, the holidays. If you alone because you are embarrassed that you binge all the time, then you need to see a doctor. MYTH NO. 3: People with BED overeat because they're too focused on food. It's often the reverse. They tend not to focus enough on what they have eating. Until they have finished, they do not realize how much they have eaten. Keep a journal if you are worried about your eating habits. Before, during and after a meal, write down in detail how you feel. Noting what you eat and how much you eat can help you become more mindful about your eating. MYTH NO. 4: You should wait to eat until you feel your stomach growling. That is a sign of physical hunger. The body doesn't signal it it time to eat for a lot of people until many, many hours after the last meal. A rumbling stomach can mean that it has been too long since you last ate. That makes you more vulnerable to overeating. Also, it makes you more likely to chose unhealthy foods. Those foods with a lot of fat, salt and sugar. A good idea, if you are prone to binges, is to eat healthy foods at regular meal times that are scheduled every 3 to 4 hours. Following a schedule removes some of the decision making, especially wondering whether you are hungry or not.