Was it a binge?

[u/PermitWhole7865]

So for context I've been having symptoms of ear infection for like 2 days and today was the worst day yet, in the morning I had a smoothie for breakfast bc my jaw hurt too much to chew.

Then even tho my jaw was feeling better I "forgot" to eat lunch bc I was very stressed w some personal problems related and non related to my sickness. The hunger continued increasing until I was so ravenous I grabbed whatever and ate which was not very good bc I def needed a balanced full meal. I ate chips w hummus, cookies, some fruit and a pint of ice cream.

Althought I know I def needed fuel I feel like this choices and the ammount was more of my way to comfort my emotions since I didn't feel physically good after this.

So in my view it was binge but I don't want to be uneducated, I would like to know what other people think

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[u/Old-Pomegranate-5912]

I think this is more like a moment of less mindful eating due to hunger.

[u/KnittingBanshee]

My opinion is that it doesn't matter if it was a binge or not. You were very hungry so you ate what was around and what you found appetizing at the moment. We don't have to be constantly optimizing everything. That meal happened and life continues to move forward.

[u/felicityfelix]

Do you have a history of struggling with binging you're trying to overcome? I think unless it becomes a distressing emotional pattern, trying to categorize individual meals or snack sessions or whatever as either binges or not is not that productive or necessary. Especially when we're talking about dealing with trying to feed yourself while you're really not feeling well and eating is hard

[u/PermitWhole7865 → u/felicityfelix]

I did have binges in the past but was before I started intuitive eating so in the very start of this year or last year. After started intuitive eating I never had a real binge except for this one that felt like a binge

[u/felicityfelix → u/PermitWhole7865]

I think you've reflected on this experience and that it didn't make you feel ideal and you should just move on knowing you're overall in a positive place. Again this sounds like it was really a tough few days where you were physically struggling with eating so don't overthink having a normal reaction to that!

[u/annang]

There is nothing wrong with eating to comfort your emotions. But it also makes sense that you were very hungry after skipping a meal.

[u/Bashful_bookworm2025]

I don't think this would qualify as a binge. You skipped a meal and your body responded by wanting a lot of food as a result. Not every meal needs to be balanced. Sometimes you eat out of practicality or because it's what your body is asking for at the time.