This is Sachin's cabin it's where he sits and works. For the most part, it looks like a typical work desk - except for what's in his desk drawers. That's where Sachin keeps his secret stash of snacks and tosses the empty candy wrappers, chip bags.etc.
Sachin has just polished off a whole packet of cookies and a large bag of chips - and after a hearty lunch that he had just 15 minutes a go. He's searching for more chips to eat while he boots his computer. He hates that he's overweight, but he can't seem to stop bingeing. In the back of his mind, he knows that in an hour or so he's going to feel guilty and disgusted with himself, but right now it feels like he just can't stop eating.

Here are some reasons why Sachin and others like him could be going through these Food Binging cycles.

1. The "feel good" binge
Research has proven that certain foods produce "feel good" chemicals like serotonin and endorphins in our brains that can literally be addictive. High sugar and fat combinations (e.g. ice cream, chocolate, doughnuts, cakes, and other sweets) can boost endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are our body's natural pain killers; they produce a feeling of relaxation and even euphoria. Foods high in refined carbohydrate (e.g. white breads, pastries, chips, cola s, and candy ) cause an increase of serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin provides sedation and calmness. Unfortunately, these "quick fixes" are brief. And over time - just like in other addictions - we may require more and more of the "substance" (high sugar/fat foods) to produce the desired effect.

Stressed → Eat high sugar/fat food → Endorphin/serotonin release → Feel relaxed, calm, better (temporarily) → Feeling less relaxed/more stressed again (actual stress is never dealt with effectively by eating) → Eat more to suppress negative feelings and stress.

2. The "sugar high" binge
Binge eating on sugary foods causes a surge of glucose in the blood producing a sugar "high", which is characterized by feelings of fullness, satisfaction, and calm. In response to a sugar binge, our pancreas produces more insulin, a hormone that rapidly takes up the circulating blood glucose into our cells. This, in turn, produces a rebound "sugar low", which can cause shakiness, lightheadedness, and an inability to concentrate. This process sends a false message to the brain that we need more food to perk up blood sugar levels. As a result, although we are not physically hungry, our cravings for sugary foods increase again.

This leads to another binge....
Sugar binge → Feel "sugar high" → Insulin takes up blood glucose → Feel "sugar low" → Brain signaled to eat more (despite lack of hunger) → Sugar binge cycle starts again

3. The "forbidden food" binge
After an episode of binge eating, often the binger feels a loss of control, shame, and guilt. The pressure from society, the media, or family members makes people want those perfect bodies . In their desperation to achieve an unattainable standard, they refrain from eating and deprive themselves of food. Eventually, desires and cravings become too difficult to control, which usually leads to binges on unhealthy, fatty, sugary foods. The temporary after effect of this binge is a sense of relief; however, the subsequent feelings of shame and guilt lead to progressive feelings of low self-esteem. There are many people who experience this cycle several times a week. Surprisingly, many of these people are perceived as very successful and attractive on the outside. However, internally they feel empty because restrained eating combined with binge eating has become their coping mechanism and obsession.

Restrain from eating to achieve thinness, "bodily perfection" → Feel deprived → Binge on "forbidden" foods → Short term feeling of satisfaction → Long term feeling of shame and guilt and incremental decrease in self-esteem → No good coping mechanism to effectively deal with these feelings → Binge again to stuff away uncomfortable feelings of "failure".

*Find out what your Eating Style is Take the 

Are you an Emotional Eater Quiz .

Many of us would like to be more physically fit and healthy. Yet making and implementing changes in behavior is never easy. A wellness coach can help you to set goals and work towards them, while providing the motivation and encouragement you need.