Why do people consume food in a manner that it’ll never be enough in an age where food is so abundant? What's the reason for binge eating behavior? And most importantly, what do you have to do to get rid of the binge eating spiral?
We breathe to live, are protected from adverse climatic conditions, sleep and of course eat. However, this physiological need, which constitutes the most basic step of Maslow's needs pyramid, in some cases evolves to the point of living to deviate from the eating goal to live. This behavior disorder, known as binge eating disorder in medical literature, is considered to be the cause of 60 percent of reported cases of obesity worldwide today.
What is binge eating disorder?
The relation of eating with psychology is no longer known not only by the scientific community, but also by the public. So we can say that our eating habits and preferences are not only based on our nutritional needs, but also on our level of spiritual hunger. At this point, the World Health Organization defines this disorder as a large-scale food-consuming behavior that occurs as a result of weakness and out-of-control in suppressing the urge to eat excessively. In this context, the factors separating binge eating disorder from instant eating attacks stand out as control, excessive consumption and repetitive behavior patterns.
This eating disorder, which prepares the ground for excess weight, insulin resistance, internal organ lubrication and cardiovascular diseases, manifests itself with symptoms such as eating more food than normally consumed, snacking at night, preferring to eat alone and regretting, having the feelings of guilt and disgust after over-eating.
The biggest cause of excessive eating is anxiety
Let’s talk about the underlying causes of this eating disorder ... Among the reasons for the binge eating disorder, cravings caused by insulin resistance, addictive effects of processed foods and irregular lifestyle and physiological causes can be shown. However, research suggests that this syndrome is usually of psychological origin. Just as in anorexia and bulimia nervosa, impaired body image, suppressed childhood traumas and extreme anxiety are triggering severe eating disorders. Again, low self-esteem and worthlessness can result in one's punishment for over-eating their own body as a reflection of the value they desire. For this reason, patients with binge eating disorders need to go to the source of this abnormal behavioral pattern with psychological support, rather than going directly under an eating restriction.
Methods to be followed against binge eating disorder
Dietician Selvi Pamukcu summarizes some simple ways to fight binge eating disorder:
● First, try to understand the intrinsic factors that force you to eat as much as possible. And think about your emotional ties with food by going back to your childhood when you are alone with yourself. This study will help you understand what emotions you associate with food.
● Avoid restrictive and prohibited diet lists. Doing this will make you nothing but crave more. Try to consume the things that give you pleasure.
● Avoid labeling foods. For example, when you're unhappy - chocolate, while you're cold - patisserie, while you’re working hard – chips. Make food as neutral as possible without coding in your mind.
● Take a deep breath when you have an excessive eating urge and count to 20. After calming down, try to remember how you felt after the previous eating episodes. Such suggestions may prevent you from experiencing a new attack.
● If possible, do not eat in front of television and computer (and even when you are on social media). This is because eating food in this way causes you to eat much faster and much without realizing it. Try to create quiet, calm and unhurried environments for eating.
