Is this why I am prone to overeating?

[Anonymous]

Growing up, good food was scarce. I don’t remember vegetables or fruit. What my mom did cook we got very little of, because my dad needed leftovers for his lunch. If we got a treat from the store, say Oreos, we could only have one each, to make them last as long as possible. We’d get pizza but could only have one slice. I was often left hungry.

When I got a job in my teens, my problems started. I had a reception-type job and there were always cookies and chocolates. I gorged myself with them. The coffee machine often spit out freebies, and I would suck down hot chocolates.

Once I moved out and had actual money, I went hog wild. I’d get soda AND dessert if we went out to eat. A whole pizza just for myself. A candy bar and soda at the grocery checkout, just because. A whole pack of Oreos, because I could.

I gained about 60lb. before I snapped out of it. I’ve kept the weight off, but I do struggle. My baseline is always to eat it if it’s there. Everyday things like grocery shopping still tempt me to “treat myself”, because I can. I am prone to overindulging, though conscious about what I’m doing and always in moderation.

Is this because of the depravity I experienced in childhood? Exacerbated by the gluttonous freedom of my young adulthood?

[Anonymous]

depravity ≠ deprivation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:depravity ≠ deprivation

Well, I’m embarrassed. Things I learned today! Thanks, PP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:depravity ≠ deprivation

I bet you feel very special right now, don’t you.

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't know, OP, because my parents were just the opposite and I got fat. There were absolutely no limits on what I could eat and when, and I see that with a lot of obese children, but I also know of others who experienced what you describe. I think it's called scarcity mindset.

[Anonymous]

This is similar to how I was raised and I have the same problem. Intuitive Eating has helped me a lot!!

[Anonymous]

Focus on healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, lean meats/fish, and sushi.

Salmon is a great food as is roast duck. Turkey, chicken, roasted vegetables, brown rice, and le seuer canned peas, healthy salads with chicken & cashews. Angus steaks and dry rub St. Louis style ribs. Mashed potatoes goes well with peas. Bananas, tomatoes, onions, and lemon water. Baked beans.

Apples, pears, & watermelon. Cantaloupe.

No soda, no cookies, no candy, no junk food ever.

If you need a sweet junk food, then consider a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on your favorite bread.

[Anonymous]

Try pre-washed, pre-cut celery with a healthy dip. Same for baby carrots.

If you stock only healthy foods in your refrigerator, then you will eat healthy.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps. I have a similar childhood and I've thought the same things.

[Anonymous]

Everyone suggesting healthy snacks appears to be missing the point which is to indulge in the freedom to actually have treats!

OP, I have found it helpful to take the treat-oriented indulge mindset and try to redirect it to something not candy/overeating related. So when I’m tempted by cookies at the grocery stores, I instead look up recipes for fancy salads and indulge on expensive or unusual produce. Or I let myself pay for an insanely overpriced naked smoothie (small) instead of buying a gallon of soda. Or instead of buying myself a whole pizza I order a fancy slice from some local artisanal pizzeria. That and I avoid one off checkout candy bars and spontaneous delivery because the wasted money makes me twitch.

[Anonymous]

DH had a similar problem. His mom was obese so she controlled food portions very carefully. Once DH and his brothers got jobs, they ate and ate and ate. DH can keep his weight at a manageable level but his brothers are both obese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Growing up, good food was scarce. I don’t remember vegetables or fruit. What my mom did cook we got very little of, because my dad needed leftovers for his lunch. If we got a treat from the store, say Oreos, we could only have one each, to make them last as long as possible. We’d get pizza but could only have one slice. I was often left hungry.

When I got a job in my teens, my problems started. I had a reception-type job and there were always cookies and chocolates. I gorged myself with them. The coffee machine often spit out freebies, and I would suck down hot chocolates.

Once I moved out and had actual money, I went hog wild. I’d get soda AND dessert if we went out to eat. A whole pizza just for myself. A candy bar and soda at the grocery checkout, just because. A whole pack of Oreos, because I could.

I gained about 60lb. before I snapped out of it. I’ve kept the weight off, but I do struggle. My baseline is always to eat it if it’s there. Everyday things like grocery shopping still tempt me to “treat myself”, because I can. I am prone to overindulging, though conscious about what I’m doing and always in moderation.

Is this because of the depravity I experienced in childhood? Exacerbated by the gluttonous freedom of my young adulthood?

It could play a role, obv, but I know quite a few people who had food insecurity/were hungry as kids who are thin adults at various life stages. One does clothes shop a lot, always had handmedowns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH had a similar problem. His mom was obese so she controlled food portions very carefully. Once DH and his brothers got jobs, they ate and ate and ate. DH can keep his weight at a manageable level but his brothers are both obese.

The role of genetics is real, plus enviro. Glad your DH is able to manage his weight, so important for health and longevity. Some people don't seem to have very robust satiety signals and then patterns of behavior develop around gorging.

How are your kids, PP?

[Anonymous]

Probably not.

Do you think of food as a treat, a reward, a way to soothe feelings.

Those are more likely why you overeat.

Were you ever abused or had trauma, there is a huge correlation between those and overeating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:depravity ≠ deprivation

Or in other words....

You wrote depraved, I think you meant deprived. Either way we all know what you meant.

I suggest this book.

https://www.amazon.com/How-Say-Best-Speeches-Occasion/dp/073520389X