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How can I control my eating when I have impulse control issues?

86 Answers
Last Updated: 04/08/2022 at 7:44am
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Paola Giordani, Psychoanalyst

Licensed Psychoanalyst

I have helped and am helping people cope with loss, divorce, anguish and parenting. Depression is also a major issue that comes up.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
August 10th, 2017 3:49pm
Wow a doctor that always helps or maybe even talk to your parents about it , Goodluck :))))))))))))))
Anonymous
July 24th, 2017 1:29am
Don't take food out of the kitchen. If you have food with you while you're watching TV or distracted in any way, it's easy to absent mindedly snack. If you're in the kitchen, there's less to do, and it's a much more conscious, deliberate action that's easier to control.
silverBlueberry42
July 7th, 2017 1:41am
Never be too hard on yourself, and have faith in your ability to change and become the person who you want to be. You are in control of your life, but making changes still takes time and you need to be gentle with yourself during the process.
aclorable
May 20th, 2017 7:57pm
Keeping a food journal is a great way to control your eating habits! You can write your food logs down, or download an app to help you (for example, Lifesum is free and is very easy to use). Alternatively, you can distract yourself with activities or hobbies that you enjoy. It's a great way to get your mind off of unnecessary eating. Finally, another great way to help is to delay. Set a time for giving into your urge. Usually during that time, you will forget about it. I hope this helps!
Fireweed
May 5th, 2017 8:38am
Channel your impulse to something else, like hobbies and other stuff you enjoy doing. The more time you make yourself busy, the more youll forget about eating.
Anonymous
April 17th, 2017 3:59am
Impulse control and willpower are a muscle that needs to be exercised and strengthened over time- which sucks. BUT, when I am having a weak moment, I find it helpful to tell myself, "Okay, I will wait 15 minutes and if I still REALLY REALLY want *insert food item here*, then I will have a little." 90% of the time, I completely forget I wanted it in the first place. Otherwise, that annoying slogan, "moderation is key" is actually really helpful and applicable. You have to think your food choices through, which can be super annoying, until it becomes natural.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2017 1:18am
It is extremely hard, but I find the best thing to do is to try and take a step back and focus on why you are eating.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2017 8:55pm
You could find other alternatives to eating even though it may seem difficult at first. Any sort of distraction should help really; something you can get lost in. Perhaps a sport, or a club or something such as drawing :)
Anonymous
October 23rd, 2016 10:23pm
Try changing these impulses to something different, try and take up a hobby that you can impulsively do rather than eating. This could be drawing or painting or something you're interested in.
Oceansunset33
March 10th, 2017 8:44am
Start small. Reward yourself when you hit certain goals. Find something other than food that you can let your impulses out on. Whether it be music, spending time with friends, or going swimming. Most importantly, talk to someone. You are not alone.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 8:08pm
Sometimes you might feel out of control or unable to stop when you eat. This may be because you feel deprived or restricted. Perhaps you should think about how you feel when you eat, and consider whether you are actually eating a normal amount of food. If you are struggling with bingeing, perhaps you could talk to a specialist or someone who is more experienced.
Bananya
July 19th, 2018 5:29pm
Plan specific meals and meal times. Place snacks in bowls instead of eating out of the bag. Mindfulness.
FireFlyKing
July 15th, 2018 11:19pm
Before anyone answers that, you first have to understand that you do have the power inside of you to control your behavior. Commonly people forget this, and this is where the fail. You have to be able to tell yourself you have to do what is right for you and you WILL do what is right for you because you CAN.
Anonymous
July 5th, 2018 11:30am
Ask yourself before you eat anything: Will this make me healthier? Will this enhance chances of loving longer?
minjrose
July 5th, 2018 2:16am
You could try to drink something. Drink a glass of water or a cup of tea instead everytime you feel the impulse to eat.
Anonymous
June 15th, 2018 10:50am
With Impulsive control issues it is hard to make sure you do everything in moderation. If it's about eating, there usually is a deeper feeling as to why they can't stop. Everyone has their own reasons and feelings so don't compare to other people but look at yourself. This might not always be the easiest thing to do, that's why here at 7cups we have listeners who can sometimes help you understand your own feelings and thoughts. A possible solution to uncontrollable eating can be as simple as making sure there is no food to over eat, always buy just what is necessary and plan ahead for what you are going to need and when. If you don't control the amount of food in your home, it is possible to find something you enjoy doing that will distract you from food and from overeating.
MysticN
June 4th, 2018 4:34am
Have you ever told yourself 'I will just have a little', then you have a little more and a little more? Add that food to the list of things you cannot have just a little of. Know that if you try to tell yourself 'I will have just a little', then you are lying to yourself. Be aware of these things, its the first step to taking control. That's about as far as I have gotten on the matter personally.
AmyDroplet
August 24th, 2018 12:35am
When you're binge eating, you might tell yourself "One won't hurt" and then one turns into two and two turns into twenty. It's hard to control until you realize how much harm it's doing to your body, and even then, it's hard to control. Maybe even harder. What I might suggest is maybe having a healthy snack or not as unhealthy and work from there. Whenever you want to start eating something, reach for that healthy snack you like. Such as almonds or peanuts. They will keep you full and help you from eating a lot. As you start eating healthier, your taste buds may want less amounts of food (they will say "eww, raw broccolli) and then, you might be able to control what you're eating.
Anonymous
May 30th, 2018 7:23pm
Eat more vegetables, approximately 50% of your meals l meal's portion, vegetable has low calorie and high fibre, it can help you fill full for a long time. Get some healthy snack, by healthy snack I mean fruits and eat then if you're hungry in between meals. Hope my advice help, meow~ >w
gentleIris420
November 9th, 2016 10:29pm
I think distracting yourself really helps, things like reading, excising, watching tv or simply just talking to someone. Do something productive!
rezasophiea
April 26th, 2018 7:04pm
Often when we want to gain control our eating habits can have a detrimental effect not to mention or mental health. There are lots of cases of people wanting to gain control therefore start to gain great control over their eating habits. Often this results in eating disorders. We can control these impulses through positive self talk telling ourselves when a negative thought comes flooding in we can say I am in control this does not define me. Meditative practice can also be a great way of dealing with control and getting back into a positive head space. Remember that you are enough and this does not define you.
Anonymous
April 6th, 2018 10:51pm
instead of trying to suppress those impulses to eat, try redirecting it to something you can benefit from. Exercise would be an example. Try going for a run/jog next time you feel like you might lose control and compulsively eat. Its all about finding what works for you. Hope this helps!
Anonymous
December 16th, 2016 5:22pm
You can ask for help with friends, family, relatives and/or someone you look up with for overall support. And of course, we'll always listen to you at 7 cups.
Anonymous
March 22nd, 2018 6:34pm
Set yourself timed targets to eat between so you can be mindful of your eating and how your body feels.
GeorgiB
March 2nd, 2018 2:59pm
Don't keep unhealthy food at home. At all. Have homemade meals that have been already made ready. Don't let yourself get too hungry.
Anonymous
February 8th, 2018 8:16pm
try to diet little by little to see where that gets you it could take days or months just try sticking with it