Binge Eating: True Versus Subjective
When it comes to binge eating disorder, it can be difficult to determine a true or objective binge. Binge eating is classified as an individual eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time. But how much food is a large amount? And what constitutes a short amount of time? Adding to the confusion, the volume of an objective binge may vary from individual to individual and even from time to time.
With that thought in mind, let’s take a closer look at the differences between a true binge and a subjective binge.
Dietitian Elaina Efird, RDN, CD, CEDRD, CSSD reveals that it’s common for individuals to classify an episode as a binge when comparing it to their normal intake, which is called a subjective binge. However, it may not meet the specifications for an objective binge.
It’s important to note, then, what constitutes a true binge based on the DSM-5, or the fifth edition of the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders (published in 2013). The manual defines a binge as an individual eating 5,000 to 15,000 calories in one sitting during one to two hours. Binge eating sufferers also report a feeling of loss of control around food. For instance, an individual may know they should stop eating and even want to stop eating but simply cannot stop. “Many times, people eat a lot more rapidly than normal as well,” Elaina adds.
Another characteristic that's very common in binge eaters is feeling physically uncomfortable after a binge. “I don’t just mean bloating or not feeling really well,” Elaina explains. “They are in severe pain but keep eating.” As an example, a client has eaten a gallon of ice cream, six slices of pizza, two huge slices of cake, four doughnuts, a bunch of peanut butter crackers, and an entire container of goldfish in one sitting. That’s an objective binge.
These markers are significant because subjective binges are often seen in the eating disorder community.
When someone eats more food than they typically eat, it may feel like a binge. When people are battling restrictive eating disorders, they get used to eating a small amount of food at each meal. “I had a patient who would skip breakfast and then eat a very light lunch, like a salad. For dinner, she’d have a lean protein and some vegetables,” Elaina shares. “One time, this person went out to dinner and ordered a pasta dish with protein and red sauce.”
She ate most of her meal, along with some bread. Even though it was a normal portion size, she classified this meal as a binge. After all, it was so much more food than her normal intake!
Despite the key differences between a true binge and a subjective binge, research suggests that they impact individuals’ lives in the same ways.
“Even though these patients may not be truly binging, it affects them in the same way that a true binge would,” Elaina says. “They often feel bad about themselves afterwards or even the next day. They feel as though they need to compensate by purging, over exercising, or skipping a meal.”
Neither type of binge is less valid than the other. Believing that a few extra handfuls of pretzels are a binge influences the way you think about food. At The Kahm Clinic, we want to focus on restoring a healthy relationship with food. If you feel like you’re struggling with either true or subjective binging, reach out to a dietitian or therapist to begin your healing journey.
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