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Constant snacking and it's getting me down.

Emosi

Emosi

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hey guys,

Lately I have constantly binge eating and I have no idea why, which has sent my sugar levels through the roof with the lowest being 9.something and the highest being 20.2 it doesn't matter what I do they don't seem to coming down also my ketones are always 0.1 and it's been getting me down and the little confidence I had in myself has vanished.

As I'm writing this I think I'm eating more because my confidence has gone because my high levels, it's starting to affect my relationship.

This is the 1st time I'm speaking about this only because words on a screen seems easier.

Thank you for reading this and sorry it seems mumbled X
 
Hi @Emosi - Binge eating can happen as a result of not eating 'mindfully' so eating whilst doing another task like watching tv, reading, etc. Have you thought about what triggers this type of behaviour, so are you stressed ? Also as you know eating high carbs will make you go through the roof, so perhaps when you feel an episode coming on try and write down how you are feeling at the time, try and stop for 5 minutes and think through why you are doing this, hopefully your rational thinking will kick in and reason why you shouldn't and the effect on trying to get BG stability afterwards, also try and avoid keeping the foods in the house that you eat during these episodes. I have done a mindfulness course which was great for lifting me out of a depressive stage, during this they talked about situations where we can become less mindful and almost act subconsciously in our actions, eating is a classic example as we are always doing things and we don't stop to sit at a table anymore and just focus on food. Practising mindfulness is a great life skill to live in the present and not worry or think about other things than what we are doing at the present time. Perhaps see if you can find a local course you can join, it will be a great help, other than that try and speak to your healthcare team and see if they can offer you support ? Good luck, hope this helps in some way.
 
Hi @Emosi :)

I second @Juicyj 's advice to try to find out what the trigger is. It might also be helpful to see if there's a particular time of day this happens.

Do you inject for your snacks? What was your blood sugar like before this period of binge-eating? Can you pinpoint exactly when it started and why?

Don't be too hard on yourself. Try to think of tiny steps you can take to improve things.
 
Emosi said:
it doesn't matter what I do they don't seem to coming down also my ketones are always 0.1 and it's been getting me down and the little confidence I had in myself has vanished.
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Hi @Emosi , ketone levels of 0.1 are absolutely fine, when I test mine they are nearly always 0.1 or get a 'low' message which means they are not traceable.

Maybe self-refer yourself for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), they will work with you to restore your confidence levels and hopefully this will help get your diabetes management back on track. Good luck.
 
Fluctuating bs always makes me snacky. But it usually just makes it worse as the higher I go the binging I get. Then I get frustrated and eat even more out of rebellion but then I realize I'm only hurting myself.

Try to get those bs numbers down and see if that helps and as above, try to find your triggers.

As the saying goes, ' you can't just eat one chip'. Some foods themselves are triggers, especially certain carbs but nuts trigger ravenous hunger for me so I can only eat a couple. Salty chips? Forget it, no control.

Hope things get better !
 
ugh - i know these feels.

I get like this sometimes and have recently started to think its due to just being unhappy (not depression, as that is a clinical term) but just like - feeling stalled out in life, boredom, and stress...

I find i will go home, eat dinner, and then sit down and just eat all night long some nights...

I wouldn't really call this a problem with your diabetes, but with your overall mental health, you've got to figure out a way to get out of the funk so you don't even want to snack! (or if you do, bolus the hell out of it!)

Get a hobby, find something to focus on so your mind doesn't wander to food, and try to keep your hands busy.

Get into sports or table top card games (magic and warhammer will eat all of your time), play video games, start wood working, go hiking, start painting models, or building models, or start some projects in your home/apartment... or start working a list yourself, that will take some time lol

You will get over this, don't let it become a spiral, its just a small turn around!
 
It's like you read my mind @Emosi. I have just posted about snacking and emotional eating on one of my other threads.

Even when I am eating (and I'll admit I've just done that with a packet of foxes biscuits!!!) I think "why are you doing this?! You've just had dinner, you're full?!" But I keep going. Now I'm full, tired and feel sick as well as frustrated! I'm currently writing food diaries for my nurse to monitor carb counting before starting a pump.... how am I to explain this one....

I messaged my sister and said what I'd done... she said you're not fulfilled - and not just with eating. So now I must dig deep into the emotional barrel and see what I can pull out.

Never feel alone. Always say something. I've learned very quickly that no matter what you're feeling, there is someone on these forums (often more than 1) that feels the same way...

Be positive.

Amy
 
I feel hungry all the time......but I starve myself as much as possible.....in your case I think you snack because humans are humans naturally we like food but I noticed the more carbs I eat even if I bolus my sugar levels go through the roof as in your case so that's probably why I starve myself.
 
jonniey said:
I feel hungry all the time......but I starve myself as much as possible.....in your case I think you snack because humans are humans naturally we like food but I noticed the more carbs I eat even if I bolus my sugar levels go through the roof as in your case so that's probably why I starve myself.
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Then you're not making best use of your insulin. If you're not bolusing for the beer that could be pushing your sugars up.

And you're feeling hungry because you're starving yourself. Try to slowly swap the beer and coke for real food, and you'll feel a lot better.
 
I don't replace food with drink I just eat little carbs 60 gram most 4 slices bread 1 egg 1 slice ham is my typical diet in a day.....I never eat fruit or vegetables because it's too expensive
 
Hi @Emosi I think we all struggle sometimes. The idea of waiting/avoiding it for a while helps as I often find distraction means the desire for the snack fades. I also sometimes find that if I take one bite and the snack is disappointing- think those choc cakes that look great but taste like sawdust! - then having the discipline to chuck it away helps. Only snack on stuff that is worth it taste wise if you are going to face the extra bolus or rise...
 
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