Relationship Psych | Love | Marriage | Conflict | Psychology |

72: Why do I binge eat sugar?

02.28.2019 - By Amber DalsinPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Have you ever thought “I’ll just have one” but then ended up eating the entire family sized bag of candy? Binge eating isn’t only about candy. People often binge eat on all sorts of highly rewarding foods. Some of these foods are potato chips, pastries, croissants, doughnuts, honey, jelly, cookies, cakes, and bread. You are not alone.

In this podcast we will address how your best intention of “having just one” leads to having way too many.

1. Learning.

2. Reward centers in your brain.

Maybe growing up you never learned how to have just one. In turn, your body many have learned that binge eating is normal. I grew up thinking that eating an entire big bag of candy was normal. It was key to readjust my standards around eating, and practice eating differently.

Reward centers in your brain are designed for pleasure. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which means it is designed to transmit signals in the brain. Dopamine facilitates a pleasurable response. Certain drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and even sugar and flour can leave you with a “high” and produce the desire to have more.

When dopamine is released, it tells the brain “Hey, this feeling is awesome, and I want more," because the feeling is highly rewarding.

If you are wondering “Why am I eating when I’m not hungry?” but you are driven to eat, you might want to question if you are searching out the pleasurable reward that comes to you after you eat.

In order or to overcome these cravings to eat pleasurable foods, you might need to learn to eat just one, and know your brain will talk to you and tell you it wants more. You will need to talk back to yourself and say no. In episode 45, Laura Jackson of the flat tummy diet talks about her relationship with sugar and letting it go to get the body she dreamed of.

Next, think about pairing these rewarding foods with meals, so that you are actually full and your blood sugar remains stable. Other people may choose to avoid these foods because they cause too much trouble in their life. If you want to avoid these foods, check out episode 11: Food cravings and how to get past them.

This podcast is not meant to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any medical or mental health condition. Check with your health care provider before making changes.

Amber: instagram.com/breakingupwithyoyodieting

Podcast: instagram.com/breakingupwithyoyodietingpod

More episodes from Relationship Psych | Love | Marriage | Conflict | Psychology |