Let me relate the moment I knew that I had a disordered relationship with food. I was about 7 months pregnant with my second child and through some fluke of hormonal fluctuations I was normal for a few weeks. food was just food. My husband gave me chocolates for valentines day (really good chocolate) and I forgot about them. They sat on top of the fridge till I threw them out. Eating did nothing to calm me or please me or satisfy me or keep me company. It was a distressing time, liberating, but strange because it was like my crutch was gone. That was the hard part admitting that I missed using food that way. I woke up normal and still couldn’t be happy.

I definitely think that your .. complicated food relationship is clear from your writing.

You often write about food. And not just cause this is a diet-ish blog. But you have a lot more interest in food than the average person — things like ice cream, cadbury creme eggs, chocolate, baking, etc.

In fact, i think your food obsession made you a better, stronger dieter than most — because you COULD be bothered to cook, shop, do all the work that it takes to eat healthy.

It reminds me of the two people I know who’ve had drinking problems. a lot of time they get really into wine and read wine mags — one of them got a bartender’s degree when young. it’s just a stronger interest in alcohol.

I liked what someone wrote about having a big bowl of greens with a little protein for lunch.

Makes me think that would be a good basis for at least one meal a day.

I’ve been reading about food and weight loss for years – there’s so much conflicting information which confuses me.

Half the time I’m not really sure what I should be eating.

I guess more veg, fruit (although I’m not even sure about that because of the sugar content), fibre (wholegrains), and protein.

What has helped me is following the plan in “The Diet Cure”, by Julia Ross. It aims to balance brain chemistry through aminoacids. Apparently, this is especially needed after long period of dieting. I don’t know about the exact science, but I have not followed everything so a T, and for the first time in my life I am eating to live, not living to eat.

Mars

I assume the idea is to stop the binge by choosing something consciously. Whether you choose something more healthy or choose to eat a cookie, you’re unlikely to hook into the cycle of unhealthy > shame > more junk > more shame. If you stop each time to think “what am I really feeling/ wanting” maybe you’ll notice when you’re full or when you’re hiding feelings. The process of choosing better can only happen if you acknowledge the choice.

Yes, I am much better at my diet when I think of food as “sustainance” not “fun”.

The first time I tried ww I worked really hard to make “fun” meals that fit within my points. Now I focus much more on nutritional quality of food- often making lunch a big bowl of greens with soy sauce and some protein. Not that I do that every meal- but at least one meal a day. To break that cycle of eating for the pleasure of it.

And you know- I really enjoyed my big bowl of bok choy at today’s lunch, but not in the same way I enjoy a food “treat”.

@Haystacks – I like the TAXI technique but I guess where I do not know where to go next is “I” – choose to do what? I often feel like life would be so much easier if someone told you where to go next/what do do in a given situation.