'Needing' Junk Food to Function?

Hi I feel ridiculous saying this but there are times at which I feel as though I NEED junk food (i.e. chocolate/ high sugar candies/ cookies/ muffins etc) to function. I become increasingly unfocused, tense and can essentially not function until after having eating these types of food, but the positive effect only kicks in after eating a mass amount. Then i start to calm down, relax, and feel considerably better. Of course that high only lasts for so long before needing a repeat, and i understand that, but what is it that causes the initial desperate need for that sugar high and how do i prevent it?

As is i am normally a very healthy eater. I am 16 and at a healthy weight. I work out 7 days a week, about five times a week doing intense cardio for 1- 3hrs at a time, and horse back ride 4 times a week as well. I only eat whole wheat carbs, lean meats, no chips/ processed foods that sort of thing. lots of veggies and fruit.

My downfall is always always refined sugary carbs such as muffins or other baked good, and chocolate - which i don't even like that much when my mentality is normal. I am not restrictive and am not on a diet, but I simply try to stick to healthier foods on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this mad food panic attack has been happening increasingly regularly lately, most recently with a gradual build up from this Wednesday to an all out frenzy today.

So my big question is what causes this and how do i prevent it?

Thanks so much, I greatly appreciate all input.

You don't have to post your answer...but...

 

Are you menstruating? 

 

The answer to this question might help you with your refined carb craving question. :)

Hi that would make more sense, but the answer is no. My eating habits are also uneffected when I am.

Perhaps you are just restricting your carbohydrates too much?  Although I have heard that sugar/salt/fat can become addictive.

i know that you said you're eating healthier and not restricting, but is it possible that you're just not getting enough calories for all of the activity that you do? exercising that much is a wee bit excessive and it would be pretty easy to undereat when your caloric needs are at least 2500. can you post your meals for a typical day?

I agree with chrissy 1988.  What you're getting from the junk food is mostly raw 'energy' or calories if you prefer.  The energy from sugar is the most easily accessible.  That probably means that your regular diet is simply inadequate for your energy needs. Very active 16 year-olds need massive amounts of fuel.

Simply eat more the rest of the time, include plenty of carbohydrates and also plenty of energy-dense foods.  And don't worry about eating a few cakes or chocolate as well .... they're perfectly good choices to make

I buy the 100-calorie packs. They are a little bit more expensive, but they're perfect for when you need a snack! I always buy a box of something salty and something chocolately! It's just enough to make the craving go away!

I always fit something sweet into my daily calories so I don't feel deprived. Imo, the 100 calorie snacks make you crave more sugar. I think full fat and real sugar makes your cravings stop (at least for me it does!). For instance, I'll eat 1/4-1/2 a cup of peanutbutter-chocolate gelato and feel totally satisfied. When I'd have reduced fat/reduced sugar ice cream I'd usually eat a pint and feel gross, unsatisfied, and unhappy.

Also, I notice if I consume lots of protein I won't crave sweets as much. Whole eggs, peanut butter, nuts, tuna, seafood, beans, lean beef, cheese and yogurt are some good options. :)

Thank you all for the responses, i appreciate the input. My daily meal plan goes something like (replica of todays):

B:

2/3 cup organic whole grain cereal - 1/3 cup fibre 1 - 1/3 skim milk - 6 almonds - 5 pecans

= 300cal

Snack

sm wholewheat wrap/ 1egg white/ fat free slice of white chicken meat (2sm)/ hot sauce/ L/T = 200cal

L:

whole wheat breadx2/ lean turkey burger/ L/T/ ketchup/ 1/2 slice harvarti cheese

= 350cal

D:

whole wheat breadx2/salmon/ hot sauce/ veggies

= 350 cal

snack: cereal (same as breakfast)

 

and then followed by that tends to be a 'binge'. Today it was 2 sm choc chip muffin, a cookie, 3 mini donuts, 6 mini chocolates, whole wheat nut scone, yogurt and some soup.

yep, and all i did today was ride.

yet on the days where i do intense workouts, i never eat anything after dinner or have any desire to binge. Yet when i just do light activity, i end up binging in ways very similar to this. Which makes no sense to me. I either have to be entirely inactive (as in do nothing but watch tv and read all day) or very very active in order to be able to eat in a normal fashion.. any ideas?

And the other thing, after eating that mass amount of food at the end, i was able to settle down, be productive and then relax. Where as before that i couldn’t even focus on desperate housewives, which is not exactly a challenging show to watch... this situation would almost be laughable, if it wasn’t so infuriating

Thanks again

C

ETA:

as far as drinks go, i stick strictly to water - and lots of it! DOn't like milk/juice/pop etc. Not sure if that makes a diference, just thought i'd throw it in

thanks

Maybe i'm wrong ... but it seems as though you're cutting yourself way short on calories if you don't eat all the junk food.  So maybe if you beef up your meals, or snacks (or both) atleast some, you wont desire so much other stuff.  I have to admit I tend to do the same thing... but you just need to train yourself.  Aside from that... it doesn't seem like you're doing too bad, you look like you're in great shape :)  So don't get too hard on yourself.

That menu tots up to 1200 cals.... That would be too low for most sedentary adult women trying to lose weight, let alone an extremely active16 year-old who needs to maintain her weight.. You need to increase your intake to something much more appropriate to your age, size and level of actiivity.   Easily 2500-3000 cals a day.... double what you currently get.

Do immediately check this site, enter your stats and read off the 'Daily Energy Requirement' for someone 'very active'.....http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/bodycomp/bmiz2.html   Then increase your intake to at least that level because what you're eating right now is far too low in calories to be a healthy diet.   If you find it difficult to concentrate that's because of the effects of malnutrition.   'Egg whites' and 'fat free meat' are not suitable foods for someone that needs plenty of energy.  You need more of everything..... whole eggs, full-fat dairy, peanut butter, red meats, oily fish, pasta, bread, rice, oils, butter ....  and quickly before you do yourself some serious damage.

Stop starving yourself and you'll stop needing to top up on sugar.... simple as that.  And if you're unable to do so, if you fear gaining weight, or if you have any medical problems as a result of this behaviour e.g. irregular periods, then see your doctor.

 

 

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Based on your menu, I agree that the cravings are due to not eating enough on a regular basis. Your body is seriously deprived of food, and the starvation - NEED FOOD NOW TO SURVIVE instinct kicks in, causing you to binge.  Once you eat enough, your body can relax - which is why you have the experience of calming down, relaxing, and feeling better.

As a 16yr old, you probably need around 2200-2500 calories to maintain - and with an average of 2hrs of intense cardio a day, you might need an extra 800-100 calories per day.

This calculator ( http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/healthyeatingcalculat or/eatingCal.html ) is pretty good - you should put in your info, choose "highly active," and see what calorie level it reccomends.

It sounds like you're not eating nearly enough as you should be, especially for a 16 year old.  Your body is craving sugar because sugar gives you energy (not long lasting energy, but quick bursts).  Similar things will happen to me, when I'm not getting enough calcium I'll start craving milk.  When I'm not getting enough iron and protein, I'll get the craving for chicken.  Etc.