What does it mean to reclaim “binge foods?”
First, a “binge food” can be any type of food and it is specific to the individual. It’s a food that tends to be eaten in a binge. For some individuals they may have specific foods while others don’t.
When recovering from binge eating disorder (BED) you might be tempted to want to completely cut out all foods that you usually binge on. They may feel like triggers or scary.
Yet by cutting them out this is reinforcing restriction, and science shows us that (mental or physical) restriction often fuels binging.
Reclaiming that food means learning to eat it in a way that respects your emotional and physical needs.
For example if you usually binge X food, then reclaiming it would mean that you’re eating X food when desired until you are emotionally satisfied and physically comfortably full. You are reclaiming that food from the eating disorder.
The eating disorder has likely made it an “all or nothing” food, and by eating it in a self-attuned mindful way you are creating a middle ground.
This can be really scary and/or hard to do and should be done with the help of an ED-informed therapist and/or dietitian.
Contact us if you are interested in learning more!
