Nighttime Eating Problem - I Feel Sick if I don't?!?! Please Help :(

Written by

Mon, February 01, 2010

I am an 18 year old, male college student who wants to become, simply, healthy and fit. I have joined a gym, reduced calories, and have RESTRICTED some foods and drinks to help me on the path (I only drink water and the occasional juice or protein drink/milk). For the past few years, I have lost more than 50lbs, from 260 to 190 and now up to 210, but have not really pinpointed why I can't stay on my path until now.

I guess I blocked and denied what was happening to me until the day I avoided it:

I eat around 1400+ calories a day (EXCLUDING NIGHT) to stay on my plan and avoid sweets, fast food, etc. Usually my day includes a 210 calories diet shake (mainly to get some calories in me on the go and take my pills), a sandwich including little to no meat (mainly salty vegetable (though I NEVER use salt) including jalapenos, banana(yellow peppers), pickles, olives, red onions, bell peppers, and some kind of mustard, and FINALLY for dinner I have whatever is in the oven, usually chicken... My PROBLEM persists at night. Right before I go to bed, as hard as I try, I feel like I NEED to eat (hungry or not). I eat a lot of everything at this time from peanut butter (about 700 calories worth) to bread (4 slices or more), and I don't stop :( I then sleep, wake up and repeat. I usually end up consuming around 1500+ calories at night, if not more, which ruins my metabolism, weight, and how I feel in the long run.

A few nights ago, I decided to pull through and fight the urges. I ate normally, even consumed about 1600 calories to make sure I was good. I feel asleep and a few hours later, I woke up sweating, feeling like I was going to puke, and as though my stomach had been empty for DAYS. I then went to the kitchen and gave way to everything I could get my hands on. My days began repeating themselves again and I pointed out to everyone that I have a problem. Nothing new yet, just gaining more and more weight and putting any plans for my fitness to shame.

So... This is where I finally ask for help from the rest of the world. What do I do? If I don't stop my night time binges, I will gain all my weight back and lose sight of my goal. In the end, I am sure it has something to do with an addiction in my mind, but without insurance, guides, etc. I obtain little support. I am on my own.

Once again, thank you for ANY and ALL advice.

-Cody T.

Sorry if this makes no sense, I am just stressed because I want to solve my problem asap :\

Oh, and, I know this is pointless, but it seems that my binging has wreaked havoc on my body, from stretch marks to excess skin, and finally, a very NOTICABLE hang over from my stomach over my waste. So bad that even without pants, it hangs down and creates the infamous muffin top that hangs about 1-2 inches. Gross. Help.

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Missy

2/ 4/10 12:25am

Your problem sounds like hypoglycemia. I am hypoglycemic, and if I go too long without eating I will become nauseated and eventually pass out. The problem is that your body runs out of fuel and your blood sugar drops too low to keep your body going. The trick is to eat at regular intervals within your reduced calorie plan to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. I'm on a very restricted calorie diet, so I eat 6 or 7 times a day in small portions, which keeps my blood sugar stable and prevents bingeing.

Cody T

2/ 8/10 9:43pm

I just wanted to thank you for the advice... Hope that you understand just how much it means to me when someone lends a hand.

I would not doubt that I am hypoglycemic as I have truly broken my body down with terrible eating habbits (it also runs in the family, which may be a coincidence as I am unsure as to whether or not it is a genetically linked trait); I literally, for the past year or so, would force my body to binge during a diet without thinking about it. So, after a week of eating healthy, I would eat for a few days like they were my last eating anything that I could get my hands on (sadly even things I did not really even enjoy).

So, once again, thank you... I am definately going to take that into consideration and hopefully, in time, I will be healthy.

2/ 8/10 9:33pm

one thing to note is that the human body stores lots of toxins in fat. It burries them deep into those pockets and doesnt ever want to see them again. at night the body fasts and has a chance to attack those stored up toxins. the reason why you felt sick was probably that (if you arent hypoglycemic) and the only comfortable thing you know to do at that point is to eat.

the human body is also a creature of habit. It is use to you consuming cals at certain times of the day and in certain amounts even if you dont need them. you have to train your body (just like you do in the gym) to not "need" those extra 1500 cals. its like the first few days of any diet. they are rough but then you get use to it and then they become the standard. it just takes patience.

also to do something that abrupt to your body will cause it to react so violently (another reason why you felt sick) you cant just do anything "cold turkey" without consequence. You have to work your way down, mentally controlling your snacking. cut back by 200 cals a week until you get to the point where before bed you have a scoop of protien in a cup of lite yogurt (this will slowly release into the blood stream and help ease the rest of those annoying hunger pangs)

Cody T

2/ 8/10 9:46pm

I also wanted to say thank you to you for your help. As I said to the last commenter, I truly appreciate any and all advice.

It is funny though, as I feel that I should already know what you are saying; heck, I think I do. Being a Biomed major, the body is my life which should in turn, help me realize that I am hurting my body more than helping it when I eat. I am definately going to take into consideration everything that is said and WILL become a healthy me.

Thanks again.

Dean

2/17/10 11:56pm

I have the same problem, and have found help in various support groups -- overeaters anonymous, etc, and I would think your student health center offers counseling and support groups. Remember, the mind is a powerful tool which expresses through the body. Many of us grew up in less than optimally healthy homes. Worse yet, many times there was not a friendly face there accepting/listening to our expressions of emotions -- a natural process that babies to well. We could all re-learn how to express our emotions by watching babies do it. I relearned how myself through Reevaluation Counseling training. Harvey Jackins' book: The Theory and Practice of Reevaluation Counseling is a quick read. May the Force be with you !!

Anotherseeker

3/ 8/10 4:41pm

Dear Cody,

It's true that low blood sugar may indeed cause a craving for carbs, and also not surprising that if you attempt to radically change your eating habits you would feel sick. But in most cases, binge eating has a strong emotional component as well. I hope you'll allow yourself to seek some theraputic or group support, as someone else suggested here. Binge eating is often a way of trying to supress intense stress and anxiety. Just as an alcoholic drinks to numb him or herself, a binge eater steps out of reality while filling themselves with more food than they need, or even really want. You're obviously very bright and ambitious, and dealing with a competitive field of study while combatting weight issues - along with the rest of day to day life! - must be intense. I found your post when searching for answers to my own night time eating benders. I'm much older than you and have been struggling on and off with night time binge eating for a long time. When I have support, I'm often able to control the issue. You don't have to suffer for years with this, good for you for addressing this while you're young!

All the best, I admire your honesty and wish to change. Congrats on your weight loss, and keep moving forward. You can do it.

Krissy

2/ 9/10 6:01pm

Cody,

Oh my goodness, you are not consuming enough calories during the day!! Look at the calorie calculators online for your age, sex, and height. You are not consuming nearly enough for an 18 year old young man--it's no wonder why you binge at night. Especially if you've been exercising, you have to increase your caloric intake to account for that, also. Your body is a machine, and food is the fuel that runs it. Try eating 1800 calories.

Anonymous

2/12/10 10:10pm

As a health professional, it is NEVER healthy to "restrict" any food group. I agree that it does sound like a blood glucose concern, but should be discussed with your doctor. You mentioned you don't have insurance but is there a student health center that you could go get assistance? It also might sound that you have decreased your metabolism which could be why you are not losing weight. If you are exercising, you need to back this exercise with carbohydrates. DO NOT restrict carbs since these are your major source of energy. You are 8a college student, please don't starve your brain for important nutrients!

Remember everything is good in moderation, make sure your meals are balanced with protein/carbohydtrate/and heart healthy fat. Also make sure you are eating every 4-5 hours to help boost your metabolism. It could absolutely be that your calorie intake is too low.

Anonymous

2/16/10 7:01pm

To the 18-year-old student who feels sick if he doesn't eat at night: I'd suggest getting your blood glucose levels checked. It could be if you don't eat at night, your blood sugar plunges too low, and then you feel sick (and overeat).

So DO have a small snack prior to bed -- like an hour before, or thereabouts. Just make it a healthy one. About a dozen fresh (or frozen/thawed) cherries with a bit of plain low- or no-fat yogurt will help you sleep (some phytocompounds that promote serotonin in the cherries, plus the calcium in the milk) as well as provide some good nutrients. Or a baked potato with a bit of plain low-or no-fat yogurt, some herbal all-purpose no-salt seasoning and pepper, and an avocado. Or a sandwhich made of whole wheat (or other whole grain) bread, a tad of mayo, and some turkey slices (the turkey provides protein and the tryptophan in it will help promote sleep).

Some people say that baked potatoes aren't good due to having a high glycemic index rating, but that's only if you eat them plain. If you eat them with a bit of healthy fat (such as the avocado) and/or some protein (the nf/lf yogurt), then they will metabolize more slowly, which is good.

The point: eat a light meal/snack that is high nutrient, medium calorie, and it will keep your blood sugar from plunging, and it will satisfy your cravings, and still be nutritious and won't add too many calories if you are eating well in the daytime.

By the way: don't cut fats out totally -- just bad fats (trans/hydrogenated fats, and most saturated fats). Fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, and extra virgin olive oil are healthy (in moderation) -- and needed for good health, as well as helping to satisfy hunger.

The "Mediterranean Diet" is the healthiest diet to be on.

That, plus at least 30 minutes a day of exercise, will promote good health and, if you need it, slow-but-sure weight loss.

Good luck,

diane

2/18/10 2:37am

what's really going to help you is a link called Livestrong.com it's a site started

by Lance Armstrong and deals with diet, fitness and other issues all you do is

register enter your info your daily activity not including workouts (those are extra)
and it will tell you how much you need. I think what you're doing wrong is starving

your body and then it goes into like shock saying where's the nutrition I need.

So, pay real close attention to nutrients as well as calories. If you are exercising

everything should fall into place. Make sure if you workout for more than an hour

take an electrolyte drink.

Protein, fat, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds these are what you're body needs

as well as calcium. If you fuel your body right it wwill not treat you wrong. Hopes this helps.