Well, that's a great question and it's one I haven't figured out completely. But...I think it has to do with WHY you're going nuts. I mean, for me at least, it's never about the actual food. It's about something else. Usually loneliness, anger, or depression. So I ask myself in a very loving way, "Can you wait until you're hungry?" And if I feel so out of control that I can't bear it, I go ahead and eat what i'm craving. Then if it's not forbidden, I'll usually not binge on it. Sometimes I do -- it just depends on how much I'm hurting. Then, aferwards when I'm feeling more calm, I'll ask myself, "What were you really craving in that situation?" Then you can try and work on what's upsetting you. If it's just because you're on a diet and it's too restricting, I would suggest just listening to your body rather than the rules of a diet. Have you ever read "Overcoming Overeating" by Hirschmann and Munter? It was incredibly helpful for me and it may give you some peace also. I wish you the absolute best of luck!

Writing in my journal is one way I try to combat the crazies. Someone else suggested that when you feel like binging, you should tell yourself to wait 15-20 minutes and if you still feel like eating, eat. Just try and moderate the amount. When I listen to my body, it's amazing how rarely I am really hungry! Keep working on it. Breaking a bad habit takes 3 weeks, though I think breaking an addiction takes longer. I do agree with streetflutter that it's almost always about something else.

Yesterday PMS was really bad and I had the unGodly urge for a McDonald's Double Quarter with cheese and large french fries. The thought of this food filled my mind and I couldn't concentrate on anything else. I could swear that I could smell it and was about to burst into tears because the craving was so overwhelming. So I gave in... well, sort of. I'm doing Weight Watchers, so i looked at my points and decided if I cut back on my dinner, or just ate a lower points dinner, I could have a regular double cheeseburger and a small fry. I went to McD's and got that. Ate the fries slowly, and cut the cheeseburger in to teeny pieces so I could savor it. It worked!! It really is about portion control. I stayed completely on my points last night and still got to satisfy my craving. I've read some study somewhere that said the first few bites of something are really what satisfies the craving. If you completely deny yourself of what you crave you'll drive yourself bonkers.

If your cravings are that bad have a bite only don't over do. If you deprive yourself you may break over and binge, if you do that. If I want something really bad I have it only once and then go right back to my healthy way of eating. Some times if I just feel like I want to just munch, I get busy or get on DS and write in my journal or here on the discussions. Good luck hope you find answers that will help you.

I have had MANY of those moments! Usually, it's not hunger that's causing this. You need to determine if you're bored, sad, depressed, anxious or whatever it is you're feeling. Also great ideas about waiting, try drinking some water, moving around and if the feelings don't go away, then do it in moderation. If hunger is not the problem, food is not the solution. I have major PMS, so I can really relate.

i pray and ask God for strength - and then i remind myself why i am doing this and that the years of going nuts and eating that way is what got me here in the first place...