Can a binge eater with a sugar addiction overcome this and learn to eat 'normally'?

Question

I'm an alcoholic, and I've accepted the fact that I will never be able to drink sensibly.

I am also a binge eater and a sugar addict. I am currently managing my binging by avoiding any 'trigger' foods such as sweets, chocolate, bread, flour, sugar etc. Will I ever be able to eat these things in normal amounts, or is it like alcohol and I have to abstain completely?

Answer 1

You are the same gal who is worried about the things your hubby is doing right now...you need to sober up..and also, stop your other addiction, food and sugar..this could be something that is caused by O.C.D, believe it or not,..lack of serotonin...So if you are not drinking, good for you...it is hard, but when you are subsituting one for another, watch out, the next one could be sex, etc...I think you need something to replace the serotonin in your brain, and help you control these addictions better..you really sound like you enjoy life, but you can't control it, you kinda go overboard...and that is too bad, you're probably a lot of fun

Answer 2

From what I've read a lot of alcoholics are actually hypoglycemic. Without realizing it, you are temporarily treating low blood sugar with alcohol but it becomes cyclical. The alcohol will quickly raise your blood sugar level but cause it will crash just as quickly, so you have another drink etc.

One reason so many are not successful in overcoming alcohol addiction is because the hypoglycemia also needs to be treated. Sugar is a carbohydrate, carbohydrates produce a craving for more carbohydrates. If you were to stop eating all carbohydrates for several days you would no longer crave them.

Nicotine has the same effect on low blood sugar. It is a factor why it is difficult for some to quit. Nicotine is a quick fix.

The alcohol and binge eating is your body's way of trying to treat low blood sugar. Treating the hypoglycemia will treat the alcohol and binge eating.

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Answer 3

Sure you can overcome your eating addiction. Starting with choosing the correct foods that will prevent sugar cravings. The best way to keep your blood sugar in balance is to eat six small meals throughout the day. Never skip meals, as this will through your blood sugar out of balance. Take a look at the website below there are many different things that you can do to prevent such sugar cravings.

Answer 4

If you dont stop you are in danger of getting diabetes and that would not be good. Your health should be a picture sufficiently big to grab your attention. You didn't mention being overweight - if you are not you will be after a while. Start by eliminating sugar from your tea and after a while tea with sugar will taste sickly sweet. Substitute fruit instead of the cakes and chocolate and any chocolate you do eat let it be of the darkest variety you can get and after a while the ordinary milk chocolate will also be sickly sweet - anyway you wont eat very much of it at a time - I hope. Best of Luck

Answer 5

Not with sugar, as such, but you can substitute Xylitol, Stevia, or even Aspartame (some of these you can't cook: just add sweetener later), etc.; see www.mercola.com. You can make cakes out of almond, and/or coconut flour, with maybe a little rye flour added. There is a chocolate substitute made from carob, and Cadbury have a chocolate with no sugar. Just have small amounts on hand, and give it a go.

Answer 6

Fellow addict here. Keep trying different foods and u might find that u can get addicted to things that are lower cals and a little more nutrition. I have in the past gotten addicted to things like sardines, potatoes with no butter or sour cream.
It never seems to last more than 4-6 weeks but at least for that time I felt better.

Answer 7

Yes. A way to help curb the cravings is to give them up completely for a week or so (take all of the garbage out of your kitchen and eat only what you cook). I know that's the hard part. Once you have helped your body "detox", you can add healthy sugars like fruits and whole wheat breads, honey, peanut butter and dark chocolate in reasonable amounts. I had to kick bad eating habits. It's very hard.

Answer 8

have you spoken to your Doctor and therapist about this. Therapist might be able to help you deal with your addictions.

I have anxiety and depression and have been using an alternative therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique. Since using it I have been feeling a lot better. It's very good at getting rid of all kinds of negative emotions and dealing with all kinds of issues quickly. It does sound bizarre but does work. Might be something that can help you with your addictions. These are some links about it. If you type addictions in the search engine of emofree.com you should find some articles about EFT helping people with addictions.

Answer 9

Are you in treatment for your eating? I also have a binge disorder but go to therapy once a week. I am learning to eat my favorite foods in moderation. A good start is to not buy in bulk. If you need a sweet, buy a single serving pouch. Don;t fool yourself into thinking you can buy a big bag of jellybeans and just eat one serving (I know, I've tried many times)
Good luck! I know how difficult it is.

Answer 10

Use the 12 steps of AA just replace the word alcohol with with sugar/food.... Go to OA meetings get a sponsor, work some steps! You can do this!