Diabetic eating disorder

So, do you have a diabetic eating disorder? Are you starving within an hour of eating a decent meal?

Well, you're not alone; loads of type 2 diabetics have an underlying eating disorder (which probably contributed to the development of diabetes). 

This being the case, why do those in the know think it sufficient to hand over a printout of some diet? Eat this food not that food, and so on...

It's not as easy as that, is it?

Most attempts at controlling diabetes by diet fail miserably, not because the diet is at fault, but because the core problem lies with the person's own issues with food. A compulsion to eat is generally stronger than good intentions. It's so much easier to satiate an immediate urge for chocolate and postpone the hard work for another time. 

Maybe you eat massive quantities, hungry or not, or still eat too many sweets or cakes or biscuits or pies. This isn't because you don't know what you're doing. Of course you know! You're not stupid! 

So, if this is the case, why can't you stop? 

Surely there's enough motivation: you'll feel unwell later, you'll go blind, you'll get kidney failure, you'll get your legs chopped off... The list is quite long, but, in the moment, the compulsion to eat is stronger than the fear of consequences.

The compulsion to overeat or eat what is inappropriate is, I suppose, similar to any other addiction. 

• The smoker inhales toxic smoke into their choking lungs, aware they're exacerbating a lung condition. 

• The alcoholic swigs more cider knowing their liver is pickled to the point of no return. 

• The diabetic overeater gobbles a bag of cakes knowing they're going to feel lousy for days.

You may have already read HERE that one of the side-effects of high blood glucose levels is polyphagia (the overwhelming urge to eat...and eat...and eat some more). This in itself feeds a vicious cycle of binge eating.

You're starving, you're dying for a bickie with your cuppa tea, and there's that diet sheet, wedged under the fridge magnet, trying to persuade you to chomp a celery stick or chew a piece of carrot. Hmm!

Actually, when you make your cuppa, what are you thinking exactly? If you're anything like the many people I talk to (and I talk to myself quite a bit about this too), you're probably planning on eating more than one bickie. 

Do you take a single biscuit out of the pack, put it on a side plate and take it into the lounge with your cuppa? 

Have you DECIDED you're only gonna eat one? Or, do you leave your options open and bring the packet in with you just in case? 

You can do it!

No diet sheet is going to save you from your urges. Only you can. It takes a bit of work, but looking inside, listening to your body and allowing yourself to notice what's going on is a starting point. 

You need to work out why you have a compulsion to eat the whole box of doughnuts rather than just the one. When you find your reasons, you're better armed to conquer the problem.

It's really not about food...it's about feeling...

EATING MAKES US FEEL...?

When we eat, we're doing something that is good for us as a species. Without eating, our species wouldn't last very long. So, when we eat, we produce chemicals that make us feel good. When these chemicals bind to their receptors, we feel at one with the world, just like we do after an orgasm (also good for us as a species). These chemicals can be quite addictive. 

Some people have fewer receptors than others, though, which is why some people eat and eat and eat yet still don't feel satiated. 

We produce loads of the feel-good chemicals, but because they're not binding with receptors, we're not getting the payout. 

We need to truly flood our brain with these chemicals in order to get the same effect as, say, some lucky bugger who can eat just one biscuit and carries on like they've just hosted an orgy.

Danger foods! Binges...

From my own personal experience, I find certain foods trigger an uncontrollable binge. 

Just before Easter, for example, hot cross buns were on sale at my local supermarket. Yum! Obviously, I took advantage of the generous offer to buy three packs for the price of two, harbouring good intentions to freeze two packs and leave one in the breadbin. 

Well, the second pack wasn't even chilly before I was tearing off the wrapper with my teeth. I would still be eating hot cross buns now only I chose not to buy any more. I know to avoid them because they contain a magic ingredient that triggers an episode of compulsion in me. 

I had a similar problem with scotch pancakes and anything containing milk chocolate. 

Overcoming this was mostly experimental...

Instead of my usual chocolate bars, I tried another brand. This didn't work. I ate them with as much enthusiasm as I did the others. 

I tried again...

Instead of milk chocolate, I opted for dark chocolate. Immediately, I found I'd lost my compulsion to overeat chocolate. In fact, I've had two bars of dark chocolate untouched in the fridge for days. Other chocolate would have been well doomed by now.

I haven't eaten milk chocolate for ages now.

Do you know which foods contain the secret magic ingredient that makes you lose control? 

• Some people can't eat just one packet of crisps but can stop at a handful of tortilla chips. 

• Some can't nibble just one custard cream yet can stop after only one HobNob. 

• Others need to refill their plate with pasta even though their guts are busting, but can stop at just one bowl of stew. 

Perhaps you could make a list of danger foods and a list of safe foods. 

That's not enough though. 

For this to work, make sure you buy only the safe foods on your list. See how it goes.

From Diabetic Eating Disorder to Free Diabetic Diets