8-year-old DD Binge Eating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I think what a lot of people are missing (I'm the pp with BED) is that this 8 year old woke up in the middle of the night to eat 10-12 of the cookies. The timing is more concerning then just the eating. That is more of a compulsion I would think. Or is my gauge off? My kids have never eaten in the middle of the night past infancy but it may be in the realm of normal behavior and I just don't know. I'd say speaking with a therapist and nutritionist is a good start though. Also, make sure she's getting enough liquid. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger.

Its when she knew her parents wouldn't catch her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think what a lot of people are missing (I'm the pp with BED) is that this 8 year old woke up in the middle of the night to eat 10-12 of the cookies. The timing is more concerning then just the eating. That is more of a compulsion I would think. Or is my gauge off? My kids have never eaten in the middle of the night past infancy but it may be in the realm of normal behavior and I just don't know. I'd say speaking with a therapist and nutritionist is a good start though. Also, make sure she's getting enough liquid. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger.

Its when she knew her parents wouldn't catch her

And it strikes you as normal behavior that a child who has access to a large variety of foods, including sweets, was so obsessed with sneaking these 10 cookies that she woke up in the middle of the night to do so? Really?

Please talk to a professional OP. So many of these responses are completely tone deaf.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. I have a very similar situation with my DS8, but I haven't worried about the eating aspect. Instead, I'm concerned about the sneaking.

My DS8 is ADHD and very impulsive. I cannot tell you how many times in the past year we've found granola bar wrappers and cookie crumbs and the like in his room. I'm thinking it's part of his impulses, rather than binge eating. Is your daughter otherwise impulsive?

[Anonymous]

I think she just has an incredible sweet tooth. That was me as a child as well. Sugar has always had a hold over me. I just love it. No disordered eating, just would sell my soul for candy. So many people find things too sweet or find something to rich or filling... I on the other hand could eat endless amounts of sugary treats and enjoy every mouthful.

I lived in a home pretty similar to OP - generally healthy but my mom baked and we had treats. I would still eat as much as I would whenever I could.

I am now in my 40s and still have the same addiction. Obviously I learned to control it and now I eat almost no sugar but it still takes daily self control. My mouth waters when I walk passed baked goods and I can think about things like butter tarts for hours. I have to stay away from candy completely. If I eat one mint, I will eat 100.

It is just my genetics. I have been like this since I was very young. Salty carbs have never held much attraction for me...it is all baked treats and candy and anything that is pure sugar.

[Anonymous]

I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think what a lot of people are missing (I'm the pp with BED) is that this 8 year old woke up in the middle of the night to eat 10-12 of the cookies. The timing is more concerning then just the eating. That is more of a compulsion I would think. Or is my gauge off? My kids have never eaten in the middle of the night past infancy but it may be in the realm of normal behavior and I just don't know. I'd say speaking with a therapist and nutritionist is a good start though. Also, make sure she's getting enough liquid. Thirst can be mistaken for hunger.

Its when she knew her parents wouldn't catch her

And it strikes you as normal behavior that a child who has access to a large variety of foods, including sweets, was so obsessed with sneaking these 10 cookies that she woke up in the middle of the night to do so? Really?

Please talk to a professional OP. So many of these responses are completely tone deaf.

No it absolutely doesn't. I agree it's messed up but I think op is in denial about her role in creating this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

Recipe for obesity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

Recipe for obesity.

Or some sort of eating disorder, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

Recipe for obesity.

Agreed. This is nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

Recipe for obesity.

Agreed. This is nuts.

It doesn't mean I say no. But they must ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would lay down the law. I don't allow any eating of anything without asking. They ask to eat an apple. They ask for a piece of gum.

Recipe for obesity.

Agreed. This is nuts.

It doesn't mean I say no. But they must ask.

How old are your kids? It's pretty hard to imagine a teen that has to ask mommy's permission to chew a stick of gum could be confident and self regulated in other areas.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she will have a growth spurt? I really don't think there is much to be concerned about unless she is gaining a lot of weight rapidly. Denying all sugar would be a mistake and cause a power struggle, but what I might suggest is no sugary cereal in the house at all. This spikes insulin and blood sugar early in the day and keeps spiking the craving for it all day long. Hence, what you call "sugar cookie binge." Maybe try eggs and bacon for breakfast, so she will not crave so much sugar. It could be a phase too that she will outgrow. Or is there some emotional issue going on if this is out of ordinary? But, you write that she was a bread/carb lover forever, so maybe just make sure that cookies are an evening treat, hence not spiking her sugar all day long, and presumably she will sleep at night so not eat too much sugar?

[Anonymous]

As with other PP's I don't think its so weird for a kid to eat 10 oreos in one sitting, but I do think the sneaking at night is very odd. I hope you find a professional who is able to help. As an adult, I struggle with insomnia now and then, and there was a period when I had gotten so used to eating a snack in the middle of the night that it became a habit. I could not fall asleep unless I went downstairs and ate something. I didn't binge and always ate a modest amount (a snack not a meal) so I don't think it was bad enough to call it "night eating syndrome," but eating at night had definitely become a soothing ritual that got me back to sleep. Could this be what is going on with her? Does she have any insomnia issues and could she be using snacks to soothe herself back to sleep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As with other PP's I don't think its so weird for a kid to eat 10 oreos in one sitting, but I do think the sneaking at night is very odd. I hope you find a professional who is able to help. As an adult, I struggle with insomnia now and then, and there was a period when I had gotten so used to eating a snack in the middle of the night that it became a habit. I could not fall asleep unless I went downstairs and ate something. I didn't binge and always ate a modest amount (a snack not a meal) so I don't think it was bad enough to call it "night eating syndrome," but eating at night had definitely become a soothing ritual that got me back to sleep. Could this be what is going on with her? Does she have any insomnia issues and could she be using snacks to soothe herself back to sleep?

I don't see the problem with eating that many cookies at her age either, unless it is 10 times a day type of thing. Sneaking at night is weird, which makes me wonder if kid is scared of her parents? OP mentioned that her husband thinks they should be more strict, and maybe she is sneaking because they/he gets upset if she eats it in front of them? What reason would she have to hide eating cookies unless she knows it is forbidden? It is exactly like a forbidden fruit, we put it on top of the fridge and tell you you can't have it and then all the kid can think about it eating those cookies. I recall eating a whole chocolate bar at her age and heck more if we had the sweets in the house, and never felt the need to sneak around, and my parents never made a single comment. I was never heavy and while I was tiny chubby as a preteen, I was one of skinniest teens you could meet. I am not at all heavy now. But, I do remember that when mom or dad bought chocolate(it was in Eastern Europe in 70s and 80s, so cookies and sweets were not purchased much, we had crepes as a treat or strudel, but not very often) sister and I inhaled it asap and my parents were happy about it. But, I still think it is possible that OP's DD has sugar spikes if she eats sugar in the morning. OP, does she have sugary cereal in the morning? And why are you putting these things on top of the fridge? Was there a problem with your kids eating these things non stop and you put them there to stop that, and if that was not the case, why not have them in a pantry, unless you have a very small kitchen storage?

[Anonymous]

I don't think the sneaking at night or any other time is weird. It is the only time you can eat a lot of candy / treats. You can't ask your parents for 12 Oreos or 12 packages of fruit candies.

So if you want a treat that you know you aren't supposed to have, you sneak it. If you really like sugar, then 2 Oreos turn into 4 then into 12.

This is just a kid who really likes sugar and who goes to great lengths to get more of it.