I have started stealing bits of "normal" food, chewing them up and then ever so casually spitting them out instead of swallowing them. First time was justifiable, I think. My husband brought home fish and chips for his and the kids tea and I sat eating my previously-OK-but-now-miserable salad of leftovers - it all got too much and I scoffed 4 hot cips (oh .... divine!) - but didn't swallow them. Have now done this several times.

Besides being a VILE practice, I suspect that it is fuelling my cravings for carbs as for the last 2 days I have been craving biscuits and cake and muffins, despite never having had a sweet tooth previously.

Any suggestions (or reassurance that this will pass)????

HoopDeeDoo
Why don't you come and join the rest of us Aussies at the Aussie site www.empowerfoods.com.au. We give and get lots of
VegoMum

I did a little research on the net and found a more extreme form of the habit is included under the category of "Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified" (NOS) - has been established to define eating disorders not specifically defined as anorexia or bulimia. This category includes infrequent binge-purge episodes (occurring less than twice a week or having such behavior for less than three months), repeated chewing and spitting without swallowing "large amounts" of food and normal weight and anorexic behavior. <that was all a cut and paste> You can do a search to find out more.

I think you just have to give it time to fight the cravings. Remember its all new to you and old habits die hard. I have found that I can now cope not having some foods I thought I was addicted too. It was hard at the start but I can now see and/or smell them and not crave them. Maybe have a full tummy, be in another room or have something delish of your own to eat the next time the chippies arrive.

Hang on in there.

LOL, I have a friend with Crohn's Disease who has to taste and spit b/c she's a hobby chef. I'm sure she won't be happy to learn that she has an eating disorder.

I'm no expert on this matter, but I'd assume that you're still absorbing a bit of "sugars" into your saliva. So maybe if you think of it as cheating.... ?????? LOL, anyone know the carb content of foods from chewing ONLY?

Wanda

If you stop doing it, the cravings should pass in three days.

There are enzymes in the mouth that only react to carbs and thus signal a release of insulin. So, yes, chewing carby food can cause cravings.

Chewing and spitting out of food CAN be a subclass of bulemia. Aside from the fact digestion starts in the mouth and activates an insulin response, it can irritate the salivary glands and cause "chipmunk cheeks" if done in excess, I've read.

It's mentioned in passing here http://paysonroad.com/FAQs.htm#Am I Bulimic If

Thank you for the comments and links. It seems that admitting my charming new dining repertoire was actually the cure. Imaging the picture it would conjure up in others minds helped enormously .. that, and wondering how I would explain it to my 2 year old who I am trying to STOP from spitting!

Swallowed everything that passed my lips today. GOOD GIRL! (It really is rather pathetic, isn't it?).

Now ... back to induction to remind myself why I mustn't taste sugar!

N

So pleased you gave up this bad habit before it really did become a problem.