topic Comfort Eating in Staying well

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 03:59:37 GMT

Hello

I was wondering if anyone else struggles with this issue. The issue being comfort eating or eating to receive comfort. I know of two other people on the beyond blue forums who do. Is there truly anyone else out here that does struggle with this???

I am beginning to think comfort eating is like a circle, or a merry go round, where it is extremely hard to get off from. I think it all ties into depression somehow as well. For me when I feel sad, alone, neglected, unloved, hurt and there is probably more emotions that I haven't recognized yet. But anyway when these emotions are strong, like they just blare out, and you are completely overwhelmed by them, well for some reason, I just turn to food. The food I turn to is mainly the junk stuff. I don't eat a lot of food, except for the chocolate.

So I am feeling these emotions, I turn to the food, the junk in the food, whatever is in it, which for me is sugar, causes more depressed emotions. It seems to go around and around.....

But I must clarify, eating the sugar brings me a small bit of comfort, but it is very short lived.

And yes I have written out a list of strategies, to help myself get off this merry go round, in which I am now visualising painted happy horses going up and down, up and down.

I know I also eat for comfort when I feel well.....empty, empty inside my heart. Or just a plain emptiness inside. But I am looking at it very logically now, and saying to myself, how can food actually fill that emptiness or that enormous hole in my heart. Because when you actually eat food it fills your physical stomach not your heart.....

Well thank you to whoever is reading this, I so very much appreciate you listening to me ramble on and on. It is just I think I have kept my thoughts and feelings, which are many... all locked up for so ,so long, and now they are just flowing out.

With much appreciation and many, many hugs to you

Shelley anne xxx

Comfort Eating

Lori — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:20:59 GMT

Hi Shelley anne,

Yeah Definitely i have experienced this also it is absolutely horrible because at times when i have felt absolutely worthless and not cared for i have turned to food then which only makes me feel worse after..

I can understand your pain from it but i have been training myself for that when i want to turn to food because of my emotions i am going for a walk or doing something to distract myself. This wasnt easy not at all probably one of the hardest things ive ever done but i looked at the outcome about what it does to my health and how i feel after it..

But your definitely not the only one i know many people who do but unfortunately are not in the headspace to make the change i have but i am helping! Hopefully you can find a way to.

Truly hope your okay!

-Lori 🙂 x

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 09:44:15 GMT

Yeah I know, I know Lori when we do feel worthless and like no one cares about us, Some of us do turn to food.

And Lori I am sorry that you have experienced that worthless feeling. That feeling can be heart wrenching. Hugs to you.

I have used that strategy, that you have, where you exercise. I have also tried a couple of other ways to help myself not automatically run to the food in hope that somehow I will feel better. Let's see .....I embarked on a 14 day juice fast, the lesson of waiting, just waiting for 10 minutes to see if your desire for food went away.. They are the only ways or strategies, I can think of at the moment.

Yes you are right it is not good for our health. This eating for comfort especially if I consume chocolate, really does something to my emotions and a negative way.

I have probably said enough for now, I so much enjoyed spending a little time with you here, even though I don't know you Lori. Thank you so much. Oh! I am doing OK.

With hugs to you

Shelley anne xxx

PS I was looking at your picture here, and was trying to work out what it was behind you. I thought it may be a very large fish tank, or something???

Comfort Eating

Lori — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:22:44 GMT

Thankyou Shelley anne for the kind words means alot!! :')

Hahahaha yes it sure is a giant fish tank lol i was at the Melbourne Aquarium, great place!!

- Lori 🙂 xx

Comfort Eating

Gruffudd — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 07:51:21 GMT

Hi there,

Deep-fried food is my weakness. Why does it have to be so unhealthy?

Not being prepared to give it up and well aware that I shouldn't be too hard on myself, I have a bit of rationing going on these days. I am at 60kg which is not too bad, my brother is around 150 and dad not much behind him which is what would happen if I stop paying attention.

The thing is that food does add to the feel good pile if only for a short time. I guess the alternative healthy and without fat and sugar needs to remain my comfort eating. Carrots are memorable. And when I can muster the energy I can cook rather well.

Rob.

Comfort Eating

StefT — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:31:44 GMT

Weighing 60 kg sounds pretty trim, well done. That said slim people can be diabetic and have choked arteries. I love junk food also but am trying to adopt a healthy diet. We do need some junk food otherwise we will resent a healthy diet, fail miserably and totally binge. As Shelley has mentioned resisting junk urges till they go away can work. Failing that having something healthy to snack on is the next best option. You mentioned you are a capable cook when you have the energy. Perhaps cooking healthy meals and freezing them would work.

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 16:34:13 GMT

Yeah Rob,

I like some deep fried foods too, mainly KFC, hot take away chips and those hot cinnamon donuts, that you can purchase in shopping centres, I think the donuts are fried in hot oil. As I am thinking about these particular food items, I am wondering what is actually in them, that supposedly brings you a sense of comfort.

As you mentioned Rob, you do like deep fried foods, so do you find you desire to eat them, when you struggling, sad, or you are feeling some other emotion. Or do you eat them, because you simply enjoy the taste? Sorry if I'm being nosey, I'm just interested that's all.

And do you just much on a whole raw carrot?

xxx

Comfort Eating

Bluey_moon — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 20:09:25 GMT

Morning Shelley Anne,

i too love junk food and use it for comfort!

Let those feelings flow, no matter how small or big they seem!

We are listening?

Skye

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:19:43 GMT

Well, a Good morning to you too Skye!

You as well.....

This comfort eating, as I am thinking back now in my life, well I think it stems way back, to when I was a little girl. When we would visit my nan and granddads place. Now because I found that time emotionally difficult, as I mostly felt alone and scared of people, I would go into the outside laundry and just help myself to their stash of chocolate ice creams, that were in one of those chest freezers. I stole them, and well... hid in the laundry and ate them. Even though I didn't realize at the time, perhaps I was eating them, to feel better. To fill that empty space in my heart..... I don't know??? Even now I stuff myself with chocolate when I feel sad. To tell you the truth, I am sick of it. Not only does the habit waste money, but it is not good for health, emotional or otherwise. I just want to be free from it. I have rambled on and on, haven't I?

Well Skye, I want to give you a big hug and a thank you for your listening heart. I very much appreciate it.

With love to you

Shelley anne xxx

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:29:25 GMT

Hello Stef!

Smiling at you now, with a feeling of recognition, because I have meet you in another thread.

xxx

Comfort Eating

Bluey_moon — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 02:03:48 GMT

You haven't rambled on at all. I think a place like this is so good to share what you are feeling and not feel so alone. I've comfort ate for a while on and off too. But I don't remember being an anxious child, mostly in the last 5 years or so.

But it can be hard! So if I can listen and make it a bit easier, I'm so glad!

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 06:40:34 GMT

Thank you and I'm glad that you are glad.

Comfort Eating

Gruffudd — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 10:23:02 GMT

Well, dare I admit it, I do go for a whole raw carrot because it reminds me of that rascal of a rabbit.

Deep fried food has a place for me, I have restricted it to private time away from work for long enough that it also carries me into a mental space away from all the worries outside the front door. I am an emotional eater only in an escapist way. Mostly it is fish and chips, often cooked at home, which stops me having too much and avoids people. And yes I do like the taste.

Rob.

Comfort Eating

Gruffudd — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:27:00 GMT

Shelley anne, I do admire your strength in reshaping your diet, not just comfort eating but food that really does make you feel better. I should go and do that.

Comfort Eating

Bren23 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:53:58 GMT

I find myself doing this alot, i cant seem to stop doing it, then afterwards i end up hating myself even more because i know i am going to gain weight; i have tried so hard to lose weight i have lost all my motivation and i dont know what to do anymore.

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:59:09 GMT

Ah Rob..... Thanks so much for the kind words. Appreciate it.

By the way, was that rascal rabbit, bugs bunny? I am trying to remember....

Comfort Eating

Gruffudd — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 12:08:51 GMT

Oh yes it's bugs bunny...

You know with trying to eat healthier I sometimes wonder if I don't punish myself and go too far the other way. I think that is why I am trying to give the rubbish food a small place and let the majority be good quality, fresh, mostly fruit and vegetables and all made from ingredients that I recognise. Definitely I am restricting the sugar and the fat, and the two combined in equal proportions is out, bread is home made too using flower that is milled by hand (makes it more digestible).

Rob.

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 14:40:13 GMT

Hello Bren23

I am guessing you are new here on these forums, so here is a hug of welcome.

And please please, don't be too hard on yourself.

I am struggling with this eating for comfort myself, just like you. So you are not alone. It is not an easy task to eat healthy and stay on track, especially when we are going through emotional issues and such. The one thing that I think we have to learn to do, when we fall down or stuff up, is to simply pick ourselves up again. And by the way, I am still learning this lesson.

But having just said all that, I do know how you feel, and it does feel hard to keep going.

I am not sure if you are asking for advice or not. But if you are, this is one of the strategies, that I have done. You write down a list of the reasons you have for wanting to loose weight, or reasons you want to be healthy. So for me one of the reasons was: I want to be healthy so my emotions are not so all over the place. Am I explaining OK? So if you haven't already done this, it may be a good strategy for you as well. I often look at my list as well, to help myself stay focused.

Well I hope something I have said may encourage you and if not, please know I care about you.

Shelley anne xxx

Comfort Eating

Bluey_moon — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:37:32 GMT

Shelley Anne, you are so kind and caring to everyone! You are very sweet and give us all hope!

Comfort Eating

Guest_1055 — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 00:54:34 GMT

Good Morning to you Rob

It sounds like you are doing pretty good in regards to the foods you consume, with all the fruit and vegetables. And just allowing yourself to only have a small amount of the junk stuff. I am guessing by doing this, you would not feel deprived, and feel like you are missing out. In fact I like the idea so much, I think I will try it.

And the milling of the flour, my sister actually does that....And she makes her own sourdough bread, I think she uses wheat grain. Well that sourdough bread tastes really delicious, like it has a wholesome, sort of real deep taste to it. Yum, yum, yum.

And I know you are struggling these last few days Rob, so I am sending you a hug and please, please know I care.

Shelley anne xxx