BED and SAD vs Keto

#1

I wanted to share something with y’all that may benefit previous (on the SAD) food addicts/binge eating disorder patients.

Recently I had a full on “fell off the horse and didn’t get back up for a week” experience.
During this time I felt more…sad. I guess. And self-loathing…Just overall worse.
I’ve had spouts of depression on and off for years so I just assumed my depression was getting worse again. It was true in some ways, but I didn’t realize that it was something I could find the source of this time.
Today after eating a McDouble with fries, tons of bbq with baked potatoes, and a shake I thought “dang, my eating is getting bad. I need to start fasting again” which…has been happening for the past three days or more.
After I realized that I was doing the same things (eating much more than I needed) and saying the same things (that I’d stop tomorrow) I looked up how To counter-act a binge eating disorder.
I knew I had one in the past but didn’t remember it being as bad.
So here’s what I found: SUGAR AND GRAIN are what most food addicts/binge eating disorder patients want to binge on and feel comfortable eating.
Ding ding ding. I feel dumb for not realizing it sooner.
The reason why I’ve felt more self-loathing and depressed on my SAD and didn’t feel bad at all on keto is because keto is basically exactly what my body needs to not binge all the time. (Honestly sometimes I’d eat more than I needed on keto but it wasn’t near as bad)
And that my binging was most liking causing my increase sadness and self-loathing.
Y’all. It’s just really eye opening.
I knew sugar is addictive, everyone gets addicted to it, etc but I didn’t realize that sugar (and grains) was what was fueling my binge eating disorder all this time. Well, that and other emotional turmoil, but mostly that.
I just wanted to share my experience with y’all Incase you have had a history with binge eating as well.

(Stacy Blanchard) #2

Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you are self-discovering. If you don’t mind me suggesting-you sound like you need some support; maybe a friend, relative or a functional medicine doctor. That way you could have someone to discuss things in person. I hope you continue to learn and find answers that help you make the best decisions for your overall health.

#3

I recognize my depression increases with the SAD but still continue to binge, any tips?

#4

Is it possible to be psychological effect(i.e. it is just what you imagine and think, instead of being real effect)?

#5

I’m not a professional but I can tell you what works for me when I don’t want to binge.

  1. Making sure I’m surrounded by food that is keto friendly. A good amount of easy stuff Incase I get a quick urge and a metal list of fast food places that have keto/healthy food options.
  2. Sometimes artificial sweeteners will make me crave sweets and such so I try not to drink too many diet sodas, flavored sparkling water and coffee instead.
  3. (This one is probably the most important) Realizing and telling yourself that the other way of eating/thing you want to eat is NOT AN OPTION. Tell yourself that you’ll never do it again.
    A lot of the time when I binged I would think about it after and realize that I kind of talked myself into it. Like “just a little bit of fries is ok,” but after you’ve ate all of them and you feel like crap. You have to set a strict guild line of what you can and can’t eat (or what you want to/don’t want to eat) and stay away from places/people that may tempt you till you feel like you’re strong enough. For instance, I was getting wings with a friend one time and it’s cheaper to get a combo meal and split it between us. It comes with fries and two drinks, my friend said before we ordered that she wouldn’t want the fries but it’s still cheaper than ordering wings and two drinks. We ordered it anyway and I ate almost all of them. Next time I know to just order my own wings, so I won’t be tempted.
  4. One more thing, be gentle on yourself when you mess up but also be firm about starting a new and better life after! Learn what you did wrong and make changes to prevent it from happening again.
    Anyway, sorry this is long. I hope it helps!
#6

I dont know if you’re directing your question at me or a comment but it’s not a placebo effect. The way that diet effects your emotions is as real as it’s physical effects (you just can’t see the emotional side).
As far as the binging more on sad vs keto, you’ll find that for whatever reason you can’t truly binge on fat and protein as much as carbs and sugar. (Though it is still possible) I believe it has something to do with how physically full it makes you. But I’m no expert on these topics, I just know how different my body and thoughts are when I eat sad vs keto.
The change in the strength of depression and amount self degrading thoughts when changing my diet is as noticeable as…the lack of bloat everyone sees when they’re on keto…that’s the best comparison I have I guess. Haha.

#7

Thank you notmyname! I have struggled with this for years.

(Liz ) #8

I have to agree, carbs affect my brain chemistry. I can feel it. And my brain chemistry affects my behavior. Also this has been scientifically proven so it’s not just us saying it. I am a carb addict. When I’m clean I can stay clean but I cannot stray, not one bite. I’ve been clean 13 months.

I still have some binge behavior on keto foods but I don’t worry about it anymore, it’s not extreme and all the food is good for me. It might be psychologically distressing to feel like I can’t stop eating but it hasn’t had any negative affect on me physically. I feel free to learn how to stop the behavior without it being a crisis.

(JGL) #9

This really resonates with a recent experience I had falling out of keto while sick with a sinus infection. I noted similar things re-emerge I hadn’t even really noticed the first time around going into keto and it was very eye opening. Thank you so much for sharing this. It is very validating.

#10

I noticed I enjoy my life and family and am more fully engaged when I eat low carb but can’t seem to get more than a day or two in before I binge on sweets. Each day I wake up and vow to do better.

#11

Half question, half comment.

And erm… well, just let’s say even in keto, I don’t really feel any change, except getting slimmer ONLY.

Of course, it is also my goal, so I am okay with it.

But, it seems like I get angrier more easily instead with keto. <_< Of course, it is likely my own problem.