I comfort eat. How can I stop?

Question

PS. I eat everything and anything (that's vegan), so even the healthy stuff!!
I am 17 and live with my parents. Removing all food from the house isn't an option.

Answer 1

Get therapy, thats not a rude suggestion but a genuine one. There are often deep seated reasons for comfort eating (I know I have done it in the past). Therapy helped me;

Answer 2

I think you need your parents help here. As you said, if you remove all the food from the house you will not be able to comfort eat and will probably forget about it. So, you need your parents help not to leave extra things around. If not, find something else to do. For example, a college course will give you plenty of homework and will get your mind off food. Take up a sport or a hobby. Good luck.

Answer 3

'Will-power' and 'self-control' will not stop anyone from over-eating. Like any other kind of compulsive behaviour, it is just a sign that a person has gotten themselves stuck at a certain critical point in their life, but they are unwilling or unable to stop and take a good hard look at their present situation, and the past events that have led them to where they are now.

Tackle it headlong, by talking about it to people you trust. Don't let it become your own dark little secret, you simply don't need it.

Talk to your doctor, too: perhaps a couple of counselling sessions wouldn't go amiss, so place yourself on a waiting list.

Meanwhile, visit a qualified homoeopath in your area. Those guys can really help you get back onto the right track, I promise you.

Bergamot essential oil, used in a bath (5-6 drops), or as a massage oil (diluted in a carrier oil - i.e., almond), or in a burner with a little water is especially helpful to people with eating disorders, but it also has natural mood-lifting and balancing properties to help you along the way. Good old lavender is a lovely oil to use, too.
(If you decide to use essential oils, alternate between different oils every couple of weeks or so, in order not to become sensitised).

And, whatever you do, be gentle with yourself: it's all about progress, not perfection.

:)

Answer 4

Instead of the typical three meals per day, try five smaller meals (maybe more like snacks). Never eat in front of the TV. Try to have a busy schedule so that you aren't in a situation of being idle. Exercise frequently during the week as exercise can quell hunger. If you must eat comfort food, don't try and deny yourself completely. Try having a nibble and then putting it right back into the fridge. Drink water as it can also fill you up.

Answer 5

Get a hobby, something besides eating that will comfort you. I also have a spells where I will just compulsively overeat. But when I get that feeling if I can head it off by engaging in something else like writing, jewelry making, or just talking with a friend, then I'm okay. The key is to distract yourself from the food long enough to get over that urge to binge.

Answer 6

Hmm I would suggest replace one addiction with another more healthy one. So when you are tempted to eat, do this other thing, such as go for a walk, or take time to cook an elaborate dish, or something else you enjoy doing. Having regular healthy meals will hopefully stop you feeling hungry and feeling the urge to snack in between. It will take time, but you will get there if you persevere.

Answer 7

I really wish I knew what to say to you. I comfort eat (typically bad things like crisps, chocolate and biscuits) too. My mum tells me to eat as healthily as possible when I do eat for comfort, but I really don't know how to stop other than by confronting the issues that cause you to feel the need to comfort eat. This is much easier to say than it is to do as I have found out. One trick I did learn is the 15 minute wait. Give yourself 15 minutes before you start to eat anything you are craving. I have tried this and sometimes it really does work.

Answer 8

Worrying about comfort eating only makes the stress worse.

As long as you balance it with exercise, allow yourself some comfort eating (but in moderation).

The exercise will also raise the level of "feel good" hormones (endorphins) in your body and reduce the need to comfort eat.

Also, try to make a mental list of "treats" you like to do (rather than eat) such as going for a swim, a candle lit bath, a massage, baking a cake (or making bread if you are angry!).

Answer 9

i wish i knew hun.

especially in christmas time.

i've given up. i'll just go to the gym after christmas.

i wake up to comfort eat. you're supposed to not be hungry when you sleep.

i've found that drinking lots kind of helps 'cos you feel sort of full, but if my stomach isn't packed i'm just constantly craving.

i dont' know what to do. it wasn't a problem when i did weight lifting, but now that i've hurt myself & can't do gym, it's really hard.

i'd say that the best way is to remove all your reasons for seeking comfort, do everything you need to do, be successful, be the best you can be. tire yourself out everyday, then you might seen an improvement.

Answer 10

comfort eating is just a symptom of an altogether larger problem. do u know what's triggered this compulsion ? family problems ? bullying ? i too suffer from comfort eating, and when i asked my counsellor about it, she told me what i have just told u ^ the only other thing i can suggest is that if u can't stop the compulsive eating, at least try to eat healthy food !