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Binge eating
- Thread starter Mariser
- Start date
- Status
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome.
Are you thinking about diabulimia? Which is more about not giving yourself enough insulin for the food you eat in order to lose weight or not put weight on, I believe. It can also be associated with eating disorders, like binge eating?
I was a binge eater before my diabetes but what has helped me is going low carb and eating more fat because the carbs just encouraged me to want more carbs whereas eating more fat is satisfying and I mostly don't get the cravings to comfort eat anymore. I am conscious of my weight but no more than I have been throughout my life and I know what I need to do to deal with it. Not taking my insulin doesn't feature at all because I am very committed to managing my diabetes well and that takes priority over worrying about my weight. If I need to lose weight I up my exercise and reduce the amount I eat. There are very rare occasions when I have had a bit of a binge over the last 5 years since diagnosis, but I would say probably only a handful of times and I just keep injecting insulin as I continue to eat more. In some respects that helps too because I have to keep track of the carbs and the insulin and after 6 or 7 jabs one after the next, the craving becomes less attractive as I turn into a pin cushion and my Libre starts to complain that it can't cope and needs a time out. Whereas prediagnosis it was every week or even more than once a week, so going low carb has made a big difference to managing my disordered eating, but I would not in any way suggest that I was suffering from diabulimia myself, because I have no problem jabbing as much insulin as I need to keep my levels in range.
Really sorry if you or someone you know is struggling with Diabulimia. It is important to get help in that situation. I think some members here may have some personal experience of managing it and may have some words of wisdom if it is in fact diabulimia you are referring to.
Are you thinking about diabulimia? Which is more about not giving yourself enough insulin for the food you eat in order to lose weight or not put weight on, I believe. It can also be associated with eating disorders, like binge eating?
I was a binge eater before my diabetes but what has helped me is going low carb and eating more fat because the carbs just encouraged me to want more carbs whereas eating more fat is satisfying and I mostly don't get the cravings to comfort eat anymore. I am conscious of my weight but no more than I have been throughout my life and I know what I need to do to deal with it. Not taking my insulin doesn't feature at all because I am very committed to managing my diabetes well and that takes priority over worrying about my weight. If I need to lose weight I up my exercise and reduce the amount I eat. There are very rare occasions when I have had a bit of a binge over the last 5 years since diagnosis, but I would say probably only a handful of times and I just keep injecting insulin as I continue to eat more. In some respects that helps too because I have to keep track of the carbs and the insulin and after 6 or 7 jabs one after the next, the craving becomes less attractive as I turn into a pin cushion and my Libre starts to complain that it can't cope and needs a time out. Whereas prediagnosis it was every week or even more than once a week, so going low carb has made a big difference to managing my disordered eating, but I would not in any way suggest that I was suffering from diabulimia myself, because I have no problem jabbing as much insulin as I need to keep my levels in range.
Really sorry if you or someone you know is struggling with Diabulimia. It is important to get help in that situation. I think some members here may have some personal experience of managing it and may have some words of wisdom if it is in fact diabulimia you are referring to.
Ciara DUK
Supporter Care Advisor
Hi @Mariser thanks for your question 🙂
Would this be around a concern you have for yourself or someone else?
We would always advise raising any personal concerns with your healthcare team who could help with this, if they're not already. @rebrascora is right, it is important to seek help if needed
If you would like to speak to someone about this in more detail over a call, you are welcome to call our helpline on the number above. We're open 9am to 6pm on weekdays and will do all we can to listen and support.
Just to highlight from the Diabetes UK webpage on eating disorders - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/emotions/eating-disorders-and-diabetes - the charity Beat Eating Disorders (Beat) offers help to anyone with an eating disorder. There’s a helpline, web chat and lots of information including how to get help and treatment.
BEAT also have an information page on Type 1 diabetes and eating disorders:
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org...ypes/type-1-diabetes-with-an-eating-disorder/, if you were just after information
I hope this helps, and please don't hesitate to ask away should you have any further questions - we're all here for you 🙂
Would this be around a concern you have for yourself or someone else?
We would always advise raising any personal concerns with your healthcare team who could help with this, if they're not already. @rebrascora is right, it is important to seek help if needed
If you would like to speak to someone about this in more detail over a call, you are welcome to call our helpline on the number above. We're open 9am to 6pm on weekdays and will do all we can to listen and support.
Just to highlight from the Diabetes UK webpage on eating disorders - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/emotions/eating-disorders-and-diabetes - the charity Beat Eating Disorders (Beat) offers help to anyone with an eating disorder. There’s a helpline, web chat and lots of information including how to get help and treatment.
BEAT also have an information page on Type 1 diabetes and eating disorders:
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org...ypes/type-1-diabetes-with-an-eating-disorder/, if you were just after information
I hope this helps, and please don't hesitate to ask away should you have any further questions - we're all here for you 🙂
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome @Mariser A number of people here have/had eating disorders. Sadly diabetes can put us at increased risk or exacerbate previous issues.
An important question : are you omitting your insulin (and keeping the food down)? I know it’s not an easy topic to discuss but if you’re able to say a little more, you’ll find understanding here.
Do contact BEAT too, and consider speaking to your GP and DSN.
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