Food Addiction- 24 Hour Thread/Support
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Unknown
Posts: 155
Hello, Im new to the food addiction aspect( well maybe not , just other things were used to cope) . I am in AA and Al-Anon for other issues, but I have found that sobriety has led me to this new issue with food.
Ive always been overly concerned about my weight- grew up with parents who shamed me if I gained a few pounds.
I know sugar/carb cravings are common in an alcoholic brain. Im just not handling it well. Im ok for day or two- but I get so hungry I even over eat healthy foods. Exercise seems to increase my hunger. Ive been blowing it left and right, and I am really frustrated.
Ive always been overly concerned about my weight- grew up with parents who shamed me if I gained a few pounds.
I know sugar/carb cravings are common in an alcoholic brain. Im just not handling it well. Im ok for day or two- but I get so hungry I even over eat healthy foods. Exercise seems to increase my hunger. Ive been blowing it left and right, and I am really frustrated.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
Originally Posted by Liebe 
Hello, Im new to the food addiction aspect( well maybe not , just other things were used to cope) . I am in AA and Al-Anon for other issues, but I have found that sobriety has led me to this new issue with food.
Ive always been overly concerned about my weight- grew up with parents who shamed me if I gained a few pounds.
I know sugar/carb cravings are common in an alcoholic brain. Im just not handling it well. Im ok for day or two- but I get so hungry I even over eat healthy foods. Exercise seems to increase my hunger. Ive been blowing it left and right, and I am really frustrated.
Ive always been overly concerned about my weight- grew up with parents who shamed me if I gained a few pounds.
I know sugar/carb cravings are common in an alcoholic brain. Im just not handling it well. Im ok for day or two- but I get so hungry I even over eat healthy foods. Exercise seems to increase my hunger. Ive been blowing it left and right, and I am really frustrated.
Exercise tends to make me hungrier too so I just make sure my meals are really filling and that I really listen to my body and eat when hungry. How much are you exercising and what kind of exercise? I know cardio can definitely increase hunger but I find when I lift it's not as bad.
I'm really sorry you are suffering. I went to my first OA meeting last night and am really hopeful to kick this thing. I think it's great that you are already in AA and Al-anon and that you are sober. I'm happy to have you here...
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Unknown
Posts: 155
Thank you for the nice welcome. I appreciate your response.
Yes, I do tend to go carb too much.
Im frustrated with my cooking skills. I try new recipes and they never turn out well and my husband gets discouraged. He works a very physical job so he comes home and wants certain foods.
I want to increase protein- but I also have an iron disorder so I have to be careful with meat and certain food combos . Its not anemia- its the opposite- my body absorbs too much iron from my foods so I have to be careful. I dont like many of the other protein sources ( and I also have an egg allergy so thats not a good option). Just laying it all out. Maybe people on here have cookbooks they can recommend? Low card cookbooks? So many are hit and miss. I would still like tasty/satisfying food. I feel like Ive given up so many other things. I dont know if food types is the answer, portion control- a combo of both. Am I working out too much?
I exercise 5 days a week- 2 cardio days ( 20 min per session) and 3 interval training days with weights( 20-25 min per session) . I also have a very energetic dog who needs a daily walk aside from the exercise I mentioned- and thats about 20-25 min per walk. I have hypothryroid, and my levels are fine now- but since increasing my exercise ( doc suggestion)- Im finding its just not coming off. If anything I have gained- and its not muscle- it goes right to my mid section.
Im upset because I dont want to trade one addiction for another. I did that for many years with substance abuse. I am working a 12 step program- I just cant curb this food thing. It really grabbed me. Like I mentioned above, I gave up so much . I never thought it would be with food too.
Yes, I do tend to go carb too much.
Im frustrated with my cooking skills. I try new recipes and they never turn out well and my husband gets discouraged. He works a very physical job so he comes home and wants certain foods.
I want to increase protein- but I also have an iron disorder so I have to be careful with meat and certain food combos . Its not anemia- its the opposite- my body absorbs too much iron from my foods so I have to be careful. I dont like many of the other protein sources ( and I also have an egg allergy so thats not a good option). Just laying it all out. Maybe people on here have cookbooks they can recommend? Low card cookbooks? So many are hit and miss. I would still like tasty/satisfying food. I feel like Ive given up so many other things. I dont know if food types is the answer, portion control- a combo of both. Am I working out too much?
I exercise 5 days a week- 2 cardio days ( 20 min per session) and 3 interval training days with weights( 20-25 min per session) . I also have a very energetic dog who needs a daily walk aside from the exercise I mentioned- and thats about 20-25 min per walk. I have hypothryroid, and my levels are fine now- but since increasing my exercise ( doc suggestion)- Im finding its just not coming off. If anything I have gained- and its not muscle- it goes right to my mid section.
Im upset because I dont want to trade one addiction for another. I did that for many years with substance abuse. I am working a 12 step program- I just cant curb this food thing. It really grabbed me. Like I mentioned above, I gave up so much . I never thought it would be with food too.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
Originally Posted by Liebe
Thank you for the nice welcome. I appreciate your response.
Yes, I do tend to go carb too much.
Im frustrated with my cooking skills. I try new recipes and they never turn out well and my husband gets discouraged. He works a very physical job so he comes home and wants certain foods.
I want to increase protein- but I also have an iron disorder so I have to be careful with meat and certain food combos . Its not anemia- its the opposite- my body absorbs too much iron from my foods so I have to be careful. I dont like many of the other protein sources ( and I also have an egg allergy so thats not a good option). Just laying it all out. Maybe people on here have cookbooks they can recommend? Low card cookbooks? So many are hit and miss. I would still like tasty/satisfying food. I feel like Ive given up so many other things. I dont know if food types is the answer, portion control- a combo of both. Am I working out too much?
I exercise 5 days a week- 2 cardio days ( 20 min per session) and 3 interval training days with weights( 20-25 min per session) . I also have a very energetic dog who needs a daily walk aside from the exercise I mentioned- and thats about 20-25 min per walk. I have hypothryroid, and my levels are fine now- but since increasing my exercise ( doc suggestion)- Im finding its just not coming off. If anything I have gained- and its not muscle- it goes right to my mid section.
Im upset because I dont want to trade one addiction for another. I did that for many years with substance abuse. I am working a 12 step program- I just cant curb this food thing. It really grabbed me. Like I mentioned above, I gave up so much . I never thought it would be with food too.
Yes, I do tend to go carb too much.
Im frustrated with my cooking skills. I try new recipes and they never turn out well and my husband gets discouraged. He works a very physical job so he comes home and wants certain foods.
I want to increase protein- but I also have an iron disorder so I have to be careful with meat and certain food combos . Its not anemia- its the opposite- my body absorbs too much iron from my foods so I have to be careful. I dont like many of the other protein sources ( and I also have an egg allergy so thats not a good option). Just laying it all out. Maybe people on here have cookbooks they can recommend? Low card cookbooks? So many are hit and miss. I would still like tasty/satisfying food. I feel like Ive given up so many other things. I dont know if food types is the answer, portion control- a combo of both. Am I working out too much?
I exercise 5 days a week- 2 cardio days ( 20 min per session) and 3 interval training days with weights( 20-25 min per session) . I also have a very energetic dog who needs a daily walk aside from the exercise I mentioned- and thats about 20-25 min per walk. I have hypothryroid, and my levels are fine now- but since increasing my exercise ( doc suggestion)- Im finding its just not coming off. If anything I have gained- and its not muscle- it goes right to my mid section.
Im upset because I dont want to trade one addiction for another. I did that for many years with substance abuse. I am working a 12 step program- I just cant curb this food thing. It really grabbed me. Like I mentioned above, I gave up so much . I never thought it would be with food too.
I totally understand being upset and feeling like you've already given up so much. I feel the same way right now and am in the process of really grieving and accepting the fact that if I want to stop binging I can never have sugar again.
I'm sorry about your health issues- I just don't know how low carb would affect hypothyroidism. I know it can help those with Hashimoto's but I have read mixed things about low carb and what you have.
Since you have to be careful with meat can you eat beans instead? I am a vegetarian (former vegan) and my happiest when it came to cooking was when I was cooking vegan, especially using my Instant Pot. It was so easy and fun! Can you do more bean dishes and would your husband like that? I can definitely recommend vegan cookbooks as I have a good amount! Just let me know.
I am part of a ton of groups on FB if you use that at all- a bunch of plant based instant pot ones which I don't use anymore since I can't eat most beans on low carb and then a vegetarian and even a vegan keto group. I find the FB groups really great- I wonder if you can find one that has recipes you would like?? Also, maybe go to your library and browse the cookbooks? Much better than purchasing and being stuck with something you don't like.
I hope I have helped- I also train 5 -7 days a week so I don't see what you are doing as too much although I don't know how it affects your thyroid so maybe it's the medicine that is increasing your appetite- is that a known side effect??
Either way I hope you can find some peace with all of this. Let me know if I can help in any other way...
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Unknown
Posts: 155
Thank you for your empathy. A lot of my friends dont understand- food is such a central part of getting together. So different than drugs or alcohol- you can abstain from those- not from food, and there is a lot of social pressure to eat when with people.I have to admit that sometimes I eat out of sheer boredom too! I dont want to start using it when Im alone as a coping mechanism either.
Yes, my thyroid disorder is Hashimotos. I dont know if the med increases appetite or not- I find when my dose is increased, I loose a bit of weight, then level out. This time I leveled out on the higher end.
Good idea about the library. I dont want to buy one more useless cookbook. Im one of those people who dont have a Facebook. I know I miss out on some good groups.
You have helped- good to know you train in a similar manner. I do like to exercise because it provides a great stress relief for me. I need that release and thats how I view exercise.
Thank you again !
Yes, my thyroid disorder is Hashimotos. I dont know if the med increases appetite or not- I find when my dose is increased, I loose a bit of weight, then level out. This time I leveled out on the higher end.
Good idea about the library. I dont want to buy one more useless cookbook. Im one of those people who dont have a Facebook. I know I miss out on some good groups.
You have helped- good to know you train in a similar manner. I do like to exercise because it provides a great stress relief for me. I need that release and thats how I view exercise.
Thank you again !
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
8:08 checkin
First really good food day in a long time. I was occupied with painting the living room so food was just not ok my mind. My husband made dinner tonight and It was great- low carb “rice”, broccolini and tempeh. Super filling. I didn’t touch a drop of sugar or flour. About to do some reiki on my son which seems to help him fall asleep. And then bedtime for me
First really good food day in a long time. I was occupied with painting the living room so food was just not ok my mind. My husband made dinner tonight and It was great- low carb “rice”, broccolini and tempeh. Super filling. I didn’t touch a drop of sugar or flour. About to do some reiki on my son which seems to help him fall asleep. And then bedtime for me
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 45th Parallel, Michigan
Posts: 816
I've always said that food issues are way more complicated than addiction to drugs and alcohol because, as you said, we all have to eat; we can't just give it up like smoking or drinking. Well, we could, but then we'd like, die and stuff...
I'm diabetic, and spent my first sober year eating like I'd never heard of diabetes; when I finally checked my blood sugar and had labs done in April, they were grotesquely and dangerously high (well, duh!) and I got scared straight, begged my MD to put off prescribing insulin injections because I'd seen the light and was a changed man, and I was quite serious! The day I finally checked my glucose, I threw away PopTarts, frozen hash browns, macaroni, totally purged my food supply. Living alone, it's pretty easy to simply ban certain foods from my home...
...and within a week, I no longer craved the sugar; I still crave potatoes and noodles, but I walk past cookies and donuts with barely a second glance. I wish it had worked that way with booze, I'd have gotten sober thirty years ago!
I think us alkies have some pretty twisted metabolism; it's no damn wonder we have food issues!
Sugar is evil, man...potatoes are just...rude, maybe? At any rate, I'm avoiding both of them, and only really missing one of them.
I'm diabetic, and spent my first sober year eating like I'd never heard of diabetes; when I finally checked my blood sugar and had labs done in April, they were grotesquely and dangerously high (well, duh!) and I got scared straight, begged my MD to put off prescribing insulin injections because I'd seen the light and was a changed man, and I was quite serious! The day I finally checked my glucose, I threw away PopTarts, frozen hash browns, macaroni, totally purged my food supply. Living alone, it's pretty easy to simply ban certain foods from my home...
...and within a week, I no longer craved the sugar; I still crave potatoes and noodles, but I walk past cookies and donuts with barely a second glance. I wish it had worked that way with booze, I'd have gotten sober thirty years ago!
I think us alkies have some pretty twisted metabolism; it's no damn wonder we have food issues!
Sugar is evil, man...potatoes are just...rude, maybe? At any rate, I'm avoiding both of them, and only really missing one of them.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Unknown
Posts: 155
"Rude potatoes"....I like that.
I was thinking since I posted, just how often I eat carbs. Ive been doing a baked potato every week ( cause others in the house want it)- mashed potatoes with steak ( cause others in the house want it)- then I WANT IT - darn it. Its pretty tough for me to not taste what I prepare- tasting becomes eating a more than light serving of it.
Geeeze.
I gotta get real here.
This is not easy. Im already worried about failure.
I was thinking since I posted, just how often I eat carbs. Ive been doing a baked potato every week ( cause others in the house want it)- mashed potatoes with steak ( cause others in the house want it)- then I WANT IT - darn it. Its pretty tough for me to not taste what I prepare- tasting becomes eating a more than light serving of it.
Geeeze.
I gotta get real here.
This is not easy. Im already worried about failure.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
Originally Posted by Arpeggioh
I've always said that food issues are way more complicated than addiction to drugs and alcohol because, as you said, we all have to eat; we can't just give it up like smoking or drinking. Well, we could, but then we'd like, die and stuff...
I'm diabetic, and spent my first sober year eating like I'd never heard of diabetes; when I finally checked my blood sugar and had labs done in April, they were grotesquely and dangerously high (well, duh!) and I got scared straight, begged my MD to put off prescribing insulin injections because I'd seen the light and was a changed man, and I was quite serious! The day I finally checked my glucose, I threw away PopTarts, frozen hash browns, macaroni, totally purged my food supply. Living alone, it's pretty easy to simply ban certain foods from my home...
...and within a week, I no longer craved the sugar; I still crave potatoes and noodles, but I walk past cookies and donuts with barely a second glance. I wish it had worked that way with booze, I'd have gotten sober thirty years ago!
I think us alkies have some pretty twisted metabolism; it's no damn wonder we have food issues!
Sugar is evil, man...potatoes are just...rude, maybe? At any rate, I'm avoiding both of them, and only really missing one of them.
I'm diabetic, and spent my first sober year eating like I'd never heard of diabetes; when I finally checked my blood sugar and had labs done in April, they were grotesquely and dangerously high (well, duh!) and I got scared straight, begged my MD to put off prescribing insulin injections because I'd seen the light and was a changed man, and I was quite serious! The day I finally checked my glucose, I threw away PopTarts, frozen hash browns, macaroni, totally purged my food supply. Living alone, it's pretty easy to simply ban certain foods from my home...
...and within a week, I no longer craved the sugar; I still crave potatoes and noodles, but I walk past cookies and donuts with barely a second glance. I wish it had worked that way with booze, I'd have gotten sober thirty years ago!
I think us alkies have some pretty twisted metabolism; it's no damn wonder we have food issues!
Sugar is evil, man...potatoes are just...rude, maybe? At any rate, I'm avoiding both of them, and only really missing one of them.
Potatoes are rude...I love that! And yes, our sugar sensitivities are totally linked to our bodies' inability to process sugar the same way as others. Afterall alcohol is sugar- bread turns into sugar and cake is well...sugar! Same brain, same problem.
You are evidence that if we want something we can do it. You inspire me. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
Originally Posted by Liebe
"Rude potatoes"....I like that.
I was thinking since I posted, just how often I eat carbs. Ive been doing a baked potato every week ( cause others in the house want it)- mashed potatoes with steak ( cause others in the house want it)- then I WANT IT - darn it. Its pretty tough for me to not taste what I prepare- tasting becomes eating a more than light serving of it.
Geeeze.
I gotta get real here.
This is not easy. Im already worried about failure.
I was thinking since I posted, just how often I eat carbs. Ive been doing a baked potato every week ( cause others in the house want it)- mashed potatoes with steak ( cause others in the house want it)- then I WANT IT - darn it. Its pretty tough for me to not taste what I prepare- tasting becomes eating a more than light serving of it.
Geeeze.
I gotta get real here.
This is not easy. Im already worried about failure.
You can do this. No pressure, just start with something small...
Also, have you tried intermittent fasting?
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,373
You guys are so inspiring to me, but I don't think I'm ready for a major change in my diet because of my on-going struggle with fighting urges to drink...
BUT I want to cut out most of the nastiness I consume every day in large quantities, so cans and cans of red bull and coke, jelly beans, skittles, crisps and chocolate. I think it would help to reduce my mindless snacking...
10:45 am
I commit to 24 h without all the nastiness mentioned above. Day 1. Let's do this!
BUT I want to cut out most of the nastiness I consume every day in large quantities, so cans and cans of red bull and coke, jelly beans, skittles, crisps and chocolate. I think it would help to reduce my mindless snacking...
10:45 am
I commit to 24 h without all the nastiness mentioned above. Day 1. Let's do this!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 45th Parallel, Michigan
Posts: 816
Liebe -- I was also planning to "correct" the language in your last post! It can't be as simple as failure, way too harsh of a term. Cooking potatoes for your family is a huge temptation; if someone left a hot bowl of mashed potatoes in front of me with a salt shaker and a stick of butter within reach...hoo boy, gimme a big spoon and leave me alone!
Carbs are complicated; we need them to survive. Potatoes are healthier than candy. Cooking for others is hard. Over-sampling is better than bingeing. Trying to change is better than giving up. "Failure" is relative!
Keep making better choices, and you'll actually be succeeding...
Carbs are complicated; we need them to survive. Potatoes are healthier than candy. Cooking for others is hard. Over-sampling is better than bingeing. Trying to change is better than giving up. "Failure" is relative!
Keep making better choices, and you'll actually be succeeding...
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 45th Parallel, Michigan
Posts: 816
Oh, I forgot to holler at Snuf!
As I mentioned, I gave myself a full pass on my sugar consumption for an entire year after getting sober. I'm not recommending it by any means, but you're entirely right that your immediate focus needs to be on abstinence from alcohol. It will kill you a lot faster than Skittles...
I'm certainly not proposing you toss out your pledge today; that snack list is obviously not a healthy one. But please keep your priorities clear. If a small bag of jelly beans will keep you sober, then jelly beans it is. With a broccoli chaser!
(I knew a drunk who chased down his daily 750ML of vodka with green tea, in the interest of his health. I do believe he's still alive, so hey, who knows?!)
As I mentioned, I gave myself a full pass on my sugar consumption for an entire year after getting sober. I'm not recommending it by any means, but you're entirely right that your immediate focus needs to be on abstinence from alcohol. It will kill you a lot faster than Skittles...
I'm certainly not proposing you toss out your pledge today; that snack list is obviously not a healthy one. But please keep your priorities clear. If a small bag of jelly beans will keep you sober, then jelly beans it is. With a broccoli chaser!
(I knew a drunk who chased down his daily 750ML of vodka with green tea, in the interest of his health. I do believe he's still alive, so hey, who knows?!)
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: US
Posts: 16,896
Hi everyone 
^^^I'm in the same boat as you, Snuf ^^^
I don't cook....the place I rent has a small fridge/microwave so I eat mostly processed foods and I've even slacked from going to the gym!
Great thread! I would love to join
Originally Posted by Snufkin
Well, getting off alcohol is my top priority now, so I’m trying to forgive myself all the binge episodes, but I would love to be focused on a healthy relationship with food, too…
I don't cook....the place I rent has a small fridge/microwave so I eat mostly processed foods and I've even slacked from going to the gym!
Great thread! I would love to join
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 2,722
Hello All,
Food was my first love. Age 7, I manipulated and lied to get extra food. Discovering alcohol a handful of years later sidetracked me with the food for awhile.
Got sober first (1986). I figured I had to quit what was killing me the fastest. Quitting sugar and bingeing was a lot harder so my OA recovery was spotty at best. Went from compulsive overeater to bulimic in '87/'88. Bulimia recovery date is Jan 1, 2002 and very happy/grateful to report that overall food abstinence date is Nov 28, 2005.
Would love to discuss further and be a support to anyone. Hang in there!
You are worth whatever time, energy, and discomfort it takes to recover.
Food was my first love. Age 7, I manipulated and lied to get extra food. Discovering alcohol a handful of years later sidetracked me with the food for awhile.
Got sober first (1986). I figured I had to quit what was killing me the fastest. Quitting sugar and bingeing was a lot harder so my OA recovery was spotty at best. Went from compulsive overeater to bulimic in '87/'88. Bulimia recovery date is Jan 1, 2002 and very happy/grateful to report that overall food abstinence date is Nov 28, 2005.
Would love to discuss further and be a support to anyone. Hang in there!
You are worth whatever time, energy, and discomfort it takes to recover.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
Originally Posted by Snufkin
You guys are so inspiring to me, but I don't think I'm ready for a major change in my diet because of my on-going struggle with fighting urges to drink...
BUT I want to cut out most of the nastiness I consume every day in large quantities, so cans and cans of red bull and coke, jelly beans, skittles, crisps and chocolate. I think it would help to reduce my mindless snacking...
10:45 am
I commit to 24 h without all the nastiness mentioned above. Day 1. Let's do this!
BUT I want to cut out most of the nastiness I consume every day in large quantities, so cans and cans of red bull and coke, jelly beans, skittles, crisps and chocolate. I think it would help to reduce my mindless snacking...
10:45 am
I commit to 24 h without all the nastiness mentioned above. Day 1. Let's do this!
Have a wonderful day Snuf!
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