What Is Binge Eating Disorder?A Dietitian’s Perspective on Healing the Restrict-Binge Cycle
If You Feel Out of Control Around Food, You’re Not Broken
Many people come to Note to Self Nutrition feeling ashamed of their eating behaviors.
They believe they lack willpower.
They’ve tried every diet, cleanse, reset, and “starting Monday” plan.
Instead of things improving, the binge eating feels more intense and harder to control.
But Binge Eating Disorder is not a discipline problem.
It is not caused by laziness or lack of motivation.
And it is rarely resolved with another diet, meal plan, or cleanse.
Understanding the biology behind binge eating is the first step toward healing.
Meet the Author
A Note From Lauren, Registered Dietitian
Hi! If you’re new here, I’m Lauren, the owner, founder and dietitian behind Note to Self Nutrition.
We are an outpatient nutrition counseling practice grounded in:
weight inclusive care
non-diet nutrition support
Our goal is sustainable healing and rebuilding trust with food — not weight manipulation.
What Is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) became an official diagnosis in 2013 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).
Many people assume eating disorders only involve restriction or significant weight loss. However, eating disorders exist across all body sizes and include both restrictive and non-restrictive behaviors.
BED is currently one of the most common eating disorders.
According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), binge eating disorder is second only to OSFED in prevalence.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Binge eating disorder is diagnosed when someone experiences recurrent binge eating episodes combined with distress about their eating behaviors.
A binge eating episode includes:
Eating a larger amount of food than most people would eat in a similar timeframe
Feeling a loss of control while eating
Episodes are associated with at least three of the following:
Eating more rapidly than normal
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts when not physically hungry
Eating alone due to embarrassment
Feeling guilt, shame, or depression afterward
Episodes occur:
at least once per week for three months
It is important to note that many individuals struggle with binge eating but do not meet the strict diagnostic criteria.
They still deserve care and support.
Important Note to Self reminders:
Body size is NOT part of this diagnosis
People in all bodies experience binge eating disorder
Many individuals go undiagnosed due to weight stigma in healthcare
What We Often See in Our Nutrition Practice
Many clients who struggle with binge eating have a long history of dieting.
Common patterns include:
Skipping meals earlier in the day
Avoiding carbohydrates out of fear
Feeling intense guilt after eating
Trying to be “good” with food
Cycling between restriction and binge eating
Binge eating is rarely random.
In most cases, it is a predictable biological response to restriction.
Why Do I Binge Eat?
Understanding the Restrict–Binge Cycle & Why Your Body Isn’t the Enemy
The restrict–binge cycle is one of the most common drivers of binge eating disorder.
Restriction can be physical or mental.
Physical Restriction
Physical restriction occurs when the body is not receiving enough nourishment.
When this happens, the body shifts into survival mode.
It conserves energy by:
lowering metabolism
decreasing heart rate
altering hormones
increasing hunger signals
The body’s goal is simple: stay alive.
Mental Restriction
Mental restriction includes food rules such as:
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
“I was bad today.”
labeling foods as good or bad
Mental restriction creates a sense of scarcity, which can intensify cravings and food preoccupation.
The Biology of Deprivation
When the body experiences deprivation:
hunger hormones increase
blood sugar becomes unstable
food thoughts intensify
cravings grow stronger
The brain responds with urgency.
This biological response often triggers binge eating.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Is Binge Eating Disorder About Willpower?
Short answer: No.
Binge eating is deeply connected to biology.
Even when someone strongly wants to stop bingeing, the body’s survival mechanisms often override willpower.
Your body is not working against you.
It is trying to protect you from perceived scarcity.
The Role of Dieting and Weight Stigma
Many people are told to lose weight before being screened for an eating disorder.
Unfortunately, weight-focused advice often worsens binge eating cycles.
From a weight-inclusive perspective:
Health behaviors matter more than body weight.
Shame is not therapeutic.
At Note to Self Nutrition, weight loss is not prescribed as treatment for binge eating disorder.
How We Approach Binge Eating at Note to Self Nutrition
Nutrition Therapy
Our work often begins with consistent nourishment.
This includes:
three balanced meals per day
two to three snacks daily
balanced carbohydrates, protein, and fats
We also work on:
reducing food rules
neutralizing “good vs bad” food beliefs
rebuilding hunger and fullness cues
Therapy
Therapists commonly use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Adds skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
Multidisciplinary Support
Recovery is most effective when providers collaborate.
This may include:
dietitians
therapists
primary care providers
psychiatrists
family members
Team-based care is considered the gold standard for eating disorder treatment.
Why Weight Loss is Not the First-Line Treatment
Weight loss often requires behaviors that increase restriction.
Restriction increases deprivation.
Deprivation increases binge eating risk.
Recovery focuses on stability, nourishment, and rebuilding trust with the body.
Common Binge Eating Myths We Help Clients Unlearn
1. If I lose weight, my bingeing will stop
a. Weight loss often increases deprivation and binge risk.
2. Carbohydrates make me binge
a. Carbohydrates are essential for energy and blood sugar stability.
3. I cannot control myself to keep certain foods in the house
a. Exposure to fear foods often reduces their power over time.
4. If I stop dieting I will spiral out of control
a. Temporary discomfort is common in recovery, but the body eventually stabilizes.
What Early Binge Eating Recovery Actually Feels Like
Recovery is not linear.
At first, people may:
eat more than usual
feel scared
feel out of control
This is part of the body relearning that food is consistently available.
Eating disorder recovery requires support because eating disorders thrive in isolation.
When to Reach Out for Support
You may benefit from support if you:
frequently feel out of control around food
think about food most of the day
experience guilt or shame after eating
notice dieting makes binge eating worse
Working with a weight-inclusive dietitian can help break the cycle.
Closing: A Note to Self
You are not broken
Your body is not the problem
And healing your relationship with food does not require shrinking yourself.
If you’re ready to start healing your relationship with food, our team would love to support you.
You can learn more here:
• Eating Disorder Services
• About Our Practice
• Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Binge Eating Disorder the same as overeating?
a. No. Overeating occasionally is common. Binge eating disorder involves recurrent loss of control and emotional distress.
2. Can you have BED in a smaller body?
a. Yes. BED occurs in people of all body sizes.
3. Does weight loss cure binge eating?
a. No. Weight loss can increase deprivation and worsen binge behaviors.
4. Do I need a therapist and a dietitian?
a. Most people benefit from both medical and nutrition support during recovery.
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Note to Self Nutrition LLC is an outpatient dietetics practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, women’s health and fertility including PCOS, endometriosis, and hormonal imbalances, diabetes and prediabetes, disordered eating, along with other chronic health conditions such as heart health, hypertension, and kidney disease.
Owner and dietitian Lauren Hirschhorn-Tieu, MS, RD is passionate about empowering individuals to build trust with their relationship with food and their body. Lauren has been practicing in the field for 7 years and specializes in eating disorders, women’s health and fertility, diabetes management, and disordered eating treatment. She provides multiple services including nutritional counseling, recovery coaching, supervision and nutrition presentations. In person availability is offered in Denver. Virtual telehealth services are offered in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Colorado, and Florida. We would be honored to join you on your journey to discovering food and body peace!
Contact us for more information regarding our services offered. To schedule a discovery call please visit this link. Be sure to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
