Binging sweets

Why do you assume it was "wrong"? Is this your own rule, based on your own experience? Or, are you following some arbitrary rule set by someone else? Are you following a restrictive diet? Restriction often leads to binging.

Whatever the case, be kind to yourself. If you really need to avoid sugary foods, then just try to make a better decision the next time.

Well...

Okay, then. Obviously, avoiding them is a good rule! I see so much arbitrary dietary advice that I mistakenly jumped to the wrong conclusion. I apologize.

The behavior makes me wonder about any past (or, current) eating disorders. If yes, you don't have to acknowledge it, since this is a public forum. Like I mentioned previously, restriction often leads to rebound binging.

Or, maybe your doctor thinks the cravings are driven by either the infections or your gut bacteria? What did he/she say?

You noted you were "sensitive" to certain items, but not "allergic." Is this correct? Is that akin to the debated condition "Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity"?

Anyway, if you have cravings for sweets, would sweet fruits like apples or berries satisfy the desire? Personally, when I crave sweets, I have a few medjool dates or a spoonful of honey. But, I don't intentionally restrict my diet of any foods except shellfish, due to an allergy.

Do you have any gut instincts or suspicions as to what might be driving your cravings for the sweets? Any emotional component, perhaps?

The Dude Abides said...
Well...

Okay, then. Obviously, avoiding them is a good rule! I see so much arbitrary dietary advice that I mistakenly jumped to the wrong conclusion. I apologize.

The behavior makes me wonder about any past (or, current) eating disorders. If yes, you don't have to acknowledge it, since this is a public forum. Like I mentioned previously, restriction often leads to rebound binging.

Or, maybe your doctor thinks the cravings are driven by either the infections or your gut bacteria? What did he/she say?

You noted you were "sensitive" to certain items, but not "allergic." Is this correct? Is that akin to the debated condition "Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity"?

Anyway, if you have cravings for sweets, would sweet fruits like apples or berries satisfy the desire? Personally, when I crave sweets, I have a few medjool dates or a spoonful of honey. But, I don't intentionally restrict my diet of any foods except shellfish, due to an allergy.

Do you have any gut instincts or suspicions as to what might be driving your cravings for the sweets? Any emotional component, perhaps?

I’ve never struggled with an eating disorder and I haven’t discussed this with my doctors or really anyone, I think it’s because I feel ashamed, I should be able to control myself. I wasn’t even craving sweets I just felt like I had to eat it. I guess it felt like a compulsion. I suspect I have yeast from the many antibiotics I’m on, yeast supposedly causes sugar cravings. But still, I should be able to control myself, I’m quite disappointed with myself. How do I expect to get better if I consume junk? I am not allergic to gluten, and I know nothing of the non-celiac gluten sensitivity condition, all I know is if I eat the foods I’m sensitive to my symptoms become worse.

Alice,

Thank you for sharing all the information. And, I'm sorry you're not only struggling with the physical illness, but also the emotional turmoil. Personally, I see nothing about which to be ashamed. Besides, such emotions aren't helpful.

Something is causing the desire to binge. Maybe it's emotional, maybe it's physical. I'm certainly not smart enough to know.

But, it's clear that you understand the binging is making things worse for you and that you don't want to do it. So, that's different from a person living with abandon and not thinking or caring about the consequences. You're concerned about the behavior and want to change it. So, you're not a "nut"!

Like you wrote, I've also heard that our "bad" cravings come from our "bad" gut bacteria. Basically, they need a particular substance (maybe it's sugar, maybe something else) to thrive, are able to manipulate our biochemistry, and we then have a craving for the substance.

One thought is to try and starve the bacteria/yeast/whatever by restricting that particular substance (sugar, etc.), though, from what little I've read on the matter, that often is only a temporary fix, as reintroducing the substance causes the symptoms to reappear.

The other thought, of course, is to take supplements and/or prescription medications, in an attempt to "bomb" the offending bacteria/yeast/whatever into oblivion.

Or, one could try both approaches in conjunction.

First, however, it might be worth trying to get some certainty (as much as possible, anyway) about the underlying cause, rather than taking a shotgun approach. And that, of course, would probably require discussing the matter with your doctor and working-together on testing and treatment.

Perhaps there are other options.

If this were strictly about binging and/or there was a history of restrictive or disordered eating, I'd probably offer some different ideas. But, that's not the case.

In light of your extreme reaction to the sugary foods, you might also consider the nutritional information in the above video and discuss that with someone who's knowledgeable about the matter. Maybe that's your doctor, but maybe not. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is likely safe for most people to try, but it would be better to have someone provide a dosing schedule, monitor your progress, and make any necessary changes. More information on Niacin can be found at www.doctoryourself.com. That's the website of Andrew Saul - the gentleman in the above video.

Sincerely,
The Dude

Post Edited (The Dude Abides) : 6/18/2018 11:44:02 AM (GMT-6)

Candida makes you crave sweets.

For the last month or so I have been waking up at 3 AM and craving sweets. I mostly end up eating ice cream (a couple spoonfulls) and marshmallows. I now have marshmallows on hand to pop in my mouth if craving sweets but it usualy turns into eating marshmallows and peanut butter, marshmallows and ice cream, marshmallows and whipped cream, etc etc.

I have also been craving orange juice during the day, which I never really drank in the last 20 or so years. I have binged on naval oranges (eating 4 at a time), and whole, fresh pineapple. I have eaten 2 or so large bowls of cherries...apples, any fruit that is super sweet and tart.

I never really craved sweets this much in my life...until the last month or so.

Girlie said...
DUDE! Don't do that to me...you got me...I was thinking - uh oh...what is he going to say..

Just trying to keep you on your toes, Girlie!

Notime4lyme said...
I know what you mean. I eat stuff all the time that I wish I didn't eat. Most of the time it's when I'm not feeling well and I can't think straight. Sometimes it doesn't occur to me that I don't have to eat whatever it is if I don't want to. (and I do eat to much sometimes). It's hard to explain.

A friend of mine has a gluten sensitivity and gets weird psychotic symptoms if they eat too much gluten.

You should definitely try doing something to kill the yeast. It seems like most people who go on antibiotics need to.

I don't have a yeast problem now, I don't think, but I've been helped by taking lomatium tincture for some reason. I feel much less like I'm losing my mind. But I still had two or three anger/anxiety/ depression episodes last week.

Yes I definitely wasn’t feeling well or thinking straight, I immediately regretted it. I do have diflucan for yeast, but it’s difficult to fit the medication in between the daily antibiotics, so many pills O: Do you take something to calm yourself down that actually works when have anger/anxiety/depression episodes?

The Dude Abides said...
Alice,

Thank you for sharing all the information. And, I'm sorry you're not only struggling with the physical illness, but also the emotional turmoil. Personally, I see nothing about which to be ashamed. Besides, such emotions aren't helpful.

Something is causing the desire to binge. Maybe it's emotional, maybe it's physical. I'm certainly not smart enough to know.

But, it's clear that you understand the binging is making things worse for you and that you don't want to do it. So, that's different from a person living with abandon and not thinking or caring about the consequences. You're concerned about the behavior and want to change it. So, you're not a "nut"!

Like you wrote, I've also heard that our "bad" cravings come from our "bad" gut bacteria. Basically, they need a particular substance (maybe it's sugar, maybe something else) to thrive, are able to manipulate our biochemistry, and we then have a craving for the substance.

One thought is to try and starve the bacteria/yeast/whatever by restricting that particular substance (sugar, etc.), though, from what little I've read on the matter, that often is only a temporary fix, as reintroducing the substance causes the symptoms to reappear.

The other thought, of course, is to take supplements and/or prescription medications, in an attempt to "bomb" the offending bacteria/yeast/whatever into oblivion.

Or, one could try both approaches in conjunction.

First, however, it might be worth trying to get some certainty (as much as possible, anyway) about the underlying cause, rather than taking a shotgun approach. And that, of course, would probably require discussing the matter with your doctor and working-together on testing and treatment.

Perhaps there are other options.

If this were strictly about binging and/or there was a history of restrictive or disordered eating, I'd probably offer some different ideas. But, that's not the case.

In light of your extreme reaction to the sugary foods, you might also consider the nutritional information in the above video and discuss that with someone who's knowledgeable about the matter. Maybe that's your doctor, but maybe not. Niacin (Vitamin B3) is likely safe for most people to try, but it would be better to have someone provide a dosing schedule, monitor your progress, and make any necessary changes. More information on Niacin can be found at www.doctoryourself.com. That's the website of Andrew Saul - the gentleman in the above video.

Sincerely,
The Dude

I really appreciate the info dude, thank you.