Binge Eating Myths and Misconceptions
“What are the most common misconceptions about binge eating? And why are they wrong?
I struggled with the diet and binge cycle for over 13 years. During that time, there were many things I believed about binge eating that I realized were actually misconceptions.
Written by Jenn Hand, Holistic Nutritionist, Board Certified Health Coach & Binge Eating Coach, NBC-HWC
By believing them, I was kept stuck since I would keep beating myself up for not being able to do the thing I thought I should! The biggest myths I believed:
Misconception #1: It’s Just a “Lack of Willpower”
I used to beat myself up all the time thinking I just needed MORE willpower.
One of the most common misconceptions is that binge eating is simply a lack of self-control around food.
But I’ve demonstrated some crazy amounts of willpower– doing the Hollywood diet (just juice), grapefruit fasts, eating just peppers and ranch dip for lunch and other insanely restrictive plans I was on in my early days of dieting.
The reality is that binge eating is a complex issue of psychological, emotional, and physiological factors, often influenced by past experiences and societal pressures.
Misconception #2: It’s Only About Food
We think food is simple–that there is a formula to adhere to and we just need to stick with it.
The reality is that food is physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. While food is a central aspect, bingeing is a complex issue that’s influenced by emotions, stress, trauma, body image issues, and coping mechanisms.
It’s not only about food, but learning to take care of ourselves, hearing our body’s signals, healing body image issues, developing trust with yourself, letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset and so much more.
Misconception #3: It’s Easy to “Just Stop” Eating
This one drove me crazy.
I couldn’t understand WHY I just couldn’t stop eating! It seemed so simple, but so many times I knew what to do (stop eating), but was unable to actually do it. Some people believe that stopping binge eating is just a matter of “snapping out of it” or having more willpower.
In reality, overcoming binge eating often requires professional support and a holistic approach addressing underlying emotional and behavioral patterns.
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Misconceptions that my clients have struggled with:
Myth 1 – Bingeing Is Just Overeating
Many people mistakenly equate binge eating with occasional overeating or indulgence.
However, overeating and bingeing are different. When we binge eat, we feel a loss of control and it’s often accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, and distress, distinguishing it from typical overeating.
Myth 2 – Bingeing Only Affects Certain Body Types
There’s a misconception that a binge eating disorder only affects individuals who are overweight.
In reality, binge eating can occur in individuals of any body size or shape, and weight alone does not determine who binges or how someone is affected by food.
Related Articles
⚪ The 7 Biggest Myths of Weight Loss
⚪ How to Stop Bingeing at Night
⚪ The Binge and Restrict Cycle and How I Overcame It
⚪ What Is Yo-Yo Dieting?
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Schedule a 20-min CallAbout the Author:
Jenn Hand has been helping women like you become normal eaters since 2015.
She’s worked with thousands of women, helping them to balance their bodies, end bingeing, stop obsessing over food, and start feeling amazing again. As a board-certified health coach and holistic nutritionist, Jenn knows how to support you in making real positive changes that last.
Her articles have been published on Mind Body Green, Tiny Buddha, Thrive Global and other local and global media platforms. She’s the author of How to Be a Normal Eater and the creator of The Normal Eater’s Club program. Listen to Jenn’s advice and tips on the Cake Doesn’t Count Podcast, or read more of her articles for free on the Food Freedom Blog.
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