You know, I have been very much against eating carbs and processed foods, but lately I have been changing my thinking a bit now that I have begun to have success with breaking the binge cycle.
The philosophy of the nutritionists and therapists where I go have a different attitude toward carbs. Not saying it's right, it's just an alternative point of view. They argue that if you deny yourself the foods you crave, you will continue to be frustrated, start focusing on that food and end up binging after pent-up denial. Food is there for nutrition but it is also there for satisfaction and emotional comfort.
I found this view to be personally true. I totally cut processed carbs and sugars out of my diet and instead of feeling better, my obsessions became unbearable. I wasn't able to get pastries, donuts, etc. off my mind and soon would end up binging.
With this new philosophy, if I want a carb-laden food, I can have it. But just one. I am encouraged to eat starches and whole grains (in reasonable portions) so I will be less inclined to binge later. Rather than denying a craving and being miserable, have a small portion that satisfies you.
I am just about to finish Week 10 binge-free so this new philosophy seems to be working for me. I lost all my binge weight, about 15 net pounds after water retention weight America off, and am stable which is what I'm aiming for as I go thru therapy. Now I'm not running around eating donuts and pastries - in fact, I don't even crave them now
. But I am eating brown rice, some bread, even an occasional small dessert. Not a lot; I still primarily eat fish and chicken with fruits and veggies, but I am thrilled that my attitude towards food has been changing.
