Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Pre-occupation with food

Candyx
Candyx
Hi all,

Ok so basically, I had quite severe anorexia a number of years ago but came out of hospital in 2008 and heve been relatively ok ever since. However, over the past couple of months I have found that when alone I am becoming a bit preoccupied with my food eg. When at work I end up eating my luch at 10am simply because I can't stop thinking about it! When it's gone I am fine and can carry on with my day, although I do tend to get hungry later on as I ate my luch so early. But if I don't eat it I just cannot stop thinking about it. It's ridiculous I know!! I am eating breakfast so it isn't that I am actually hungry, and when I have distractions I am fine. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Or have any tips on how to stop it?

Thanks!
jonroland
jonroland
I can defo relate to this. Sometimes i look back on the last few hours and i know that food has been my every second thought. What to eat for lunch, after that, the next day, how long till the next meal. I also have this little disapointment when i finish my meal, wishing i was at the start again, and then realizing how many hours till the next time i eat.
Sometimes on a day where i know i'm not going to eat a lot, food is no longer an option and my mind is free to focus on other things. A lot of people who claim they have solved their food obsession state that fasting breaks the addiction. i personally am starting to understand the benefits of intermittent fasting " couple days with only one a day, the others just normal, no strict rules basically) and could see why they would make that claim.
But yeah, it's not a sure thing yet, but i've to people on DS before that the answer to the obsessiveness might be to try and follow less strict rules for our eating habits, but rather just follow little guidelines. Don't fight the disorder, fight the order.
( a little saying i made up lol )
I hope i helped x
Jon
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I was reading this I felt like this is something I could have written. I don't have any advice but I just wanted you to know you're not alone.
Candyx
Candyx
Thank you for your responses, it is so good to know I am not alone!! I too focus better when I know I am not going to eat much, and I have considered fasting some days however I have worked really hard to get to a healthy weight and maintain it so I would be concerned that fasting might be a bad idea. I may try having more substatial breakfasts, or perhaps having a big meal in the morning and just snacks throughout the day.

URGH it is so frustrating to look at how far I have come and find that food is infact still holding me back and controlling me. Sometimes I wish there was a little pill with all our nutrients in it ... we could take it in the morning and then not worry about it all day ,,, perhaps I will get to the lan and start working on that. But until the, thank you all so so much :) x
jonroland
jonroland
You're welcome. Food is trying to control all of us, you're not alone in this.