Why did you lose control and binge?

I get it - you keep wondering why you’re spiralling into a binge. And it happens over and over again.

You’re feeling totally out of control around food.

And if you’re honest, a little ashamed, frustrated, and very annoyed with yourself…

For bingeing again.

Despite the willpower.

Despite your resolve.

Despite your motivation to stop.

Well, it could be that these three things are keeping you stuck right now:

#1 You’re currently on a restrictive diet.

Did you know that when you diet (or follow any kind of restrictive eating plan), you’re 12X more likely to binge (yup TWELVE times!).

Restrictive diets create a sense of deprivation that can be incredibly hard to maintain. When you cut out certain foods or drastically reduce your calorie intake, your body and mind can rebel.

This often leads to intense cravings and a feeling of being deprived, which can trigger a binge. Over time, the constant cycle of restricting and then bingeing can wreak havoc on your relationship with food.

Instead of restrictive diets, focusing on balanced, nutritious meals that include a variety of foods can help you maintain a happier approach to eating.

#2 “Sweet stuff” is off-limits.

Perhaps you’ve hidden it or banished it from the house. But sadly that’s not the solution - in fact, psychologically, you’ll want it more!

When you label certain foods as completely off-limits, they become even more desirable. This is known as the "forbidden fruit" effect. The more you tell yourself you can't have something, the more you end up wanting it.

Eventually, the craving can become so overwhelming that you give in, and because you've been depriving yourself, it's easy to overindulge. Allowing yourself to enjoy these foods - especially alongside your balanced meals, and without guilt can help reduce the power they have over you.

#3 You’re labelling food as “bad.”

So when you eat it, you end up feeling like a bad person. Then you judge yourself for eating it and feel guilty and ashamed.

This negative self-talk can create a harmful cycle of guilt and shame, leading to more bingeing. It's important to remember that food itself is not inherently "good" or "bad." What’s more important is our relationship with food. By shifting your mindset to see food as nourishment and allowing yourself to enjoy all types of food without guilt, you can start to heal your relationship with eating.

Which one of these surprised you the most?

💚 Dr. Lara

PS - join my Binges to Balance training for more tips like this, and discover how you can find peace with food and your body.

PPS - find out more about my approach to helping you heal from bingeing in this blog post here.