addicted to sweets

[helpanswer]

Hi,

This is the first time I've ever posted on this site. I've recognized for a while now that I have an over-eating problem and hopefully this forum will be helpful.

I was anorexic for about a year in high school, this was over ten years ago. I've been healthy for a while now. I exercise everyday, which clears my mind and relaxes me and I eat a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean meat such as chicken and fish. However, the majority of my calorie consumption comes from ice cream. I buy light ice cream and lately have been able to finish a half gallon a day! This is a serious addiction! Sure, I work out and can treat mysel from time to time, but I have no self-control when it comes to sweets. I keep telling myself to not buy ice cream at all because I can't simply have one scoop. There are times when I'm full after dinner, but scoop myself ice cream anyway and then it makes me crave more. What is the best way to wean myself off of this? As I say, most of my daily intake comes from ice cream. If not that, I supplant it with four yogurts. I hear that if you go two weeks without excess sugar, yo won't have cravings anymore. Any suggestions? I really see this as a binging problem considering the amount I consume on a daily basis. Thanks

[ParamedFlorena]

Hi,

I tried to reply earlier but it didn't really come out the way I wanted it to, so I try again. Since I'm not an expert - only one who had ED - I'm not sure of all the medical talk behind addiction to sugar, but yes - we do get addicted to carbs and I don't think there is any other way to break it but go through the abstinences bit by bit.

So! Allow yourself carbs, but get the healthier ones. There is nothing in food that is bad - in the right amounts.
I usually say that there is as many carbs in a chocolate bar as there is in a day's serving of foods - but in reasonable amounts, none of them are harmful (chocolate vs. regular, healthier food).

Have you read up about chromium-supplements? That could be a way out of the sugar-addiction! That's what helps me ;-)

Florena

[helpanswer]

ps.

I forgot to add that occasionally when I eat too much ice cream, I make myself throw up. I recognize this is horrible for my metabolism and I get nervous about the inflicted pressure on my eyes and brain- can this cause severe damage? I don't do this often, maybe once every two weeks, but it is still not good. I just need to find out how to control my intake so I don't binge on ice cream, or have as many cravings that would cause me to do something as foolish as purging. Thanks