I would caution you against comparing yourself against what "normal girls" fantasize about. You have no idea what other people fantasize about. Don't presume your fantasies are unhealthy based upon some hypothetical "normal girl" who has nothing better to daydream about than boys and being rich.

There is nothing wrong with fantasizing about food, on its own. I, too, do it all the time. I love to watch cooking shows. I think about food a lot. For me, asking myself to stop fantasizing about food is like asking myself to stop fantasizing about sex. Why on earth would I want to do that? I fantasize about pleasurable things because they are pleasurable. Who doesn't?

It's only if the fantasizing is disrupting your life - not because you are busy beating yourself up on the false assumption that it's abnormal, but because it is actually leading you to binging behaviors - that you need to worry about putting it in check. Your OP doesn't say you are binging - it just says that you are watching food shows and daydreaming about food.

I don't think you need to stop doing those things. I think you need to stop telling yourself that there is something wrong with doing those things.

I do the EXACT same thing but only once in a while...I will even dream about going to a buffet and pigging out, and then wake up and be so glad I didn't really just eat all those calories....I also have about 1400 a day, but I am not exercising...I suppose it is still a possibility that I am not eating enough calories....

Carri

Right now, I'm watching the "Donut paradise" I recorded. I also have "Best Sandwich" episodes recorded, as well as Master Chef.

I too have gone to the store and just walked down the cookie aisle, the bakery section and frozen food section just to see what was there.

I did try a therapist, but she made me uncomfortable and I didn't think she was helpful so I stopped. I would go to one if I could figure out how to find a good one. I don't exactly want to ask people I know, "can you recommend a therapist for me?". I called my company's employee assistance program but the just provide the names of participating therapists with no other information. I don't even feel comfortable calling. When I have called, very few have even bothered to call me back.

I'm so nervous about upping my calories. I do exercise, a lot. I would like to cut back on that too, but I don't feel comfortable doing that either. But I know I should increase my calories. Maybe that will help.

Thanks everyone.

Along the lines of trying to find a therapist......Can you look on your insurance providers web site, they usually break down the advanced search so you can pin point what you're looking for. For example "outpatient behavioral therapy"

Dont be discouraged because you didn't gel with the first therapist either. Find someone who you are comfortable with.

I know this feeling exactly. I was (and still am) fantasizing when I wake up what I'm going to eat that day. When I'm eating lunch, I think about dinner. When I'm eating dinner I think about dessert. I love the cooking channel, I love cupcake wars, and also Diners Drive ins and Dives. I have never had fried chicken and waffles together but man... I fantasize about that a lot. I don't have any recommendations on how to stop, but I can say that I know how you feel.

It is hard to find someone to talk to about this kind of thing. When I am alone, I will often eat pizza and dunk it in ranch dip. I can eat a whole can of dip in two days. I can also eat a whole pan of enchiladas by myself in three days along with a liter of coke. I guess it's best to look at what triggers the fantasy? When I know that I'm going to be alone, I am more likely to fantasize and then binge.

Originally Posted by KittyKatFan:
I, on the other hand, daydream about what I would eat if I could have a free day.

I do this too, and I also fantasize about various restaurants I might open. In actual fact I think I would HATE owning a restaurant, but in my fantasies it's all about atmosphere and menu.

F.