Tonya says...
Binge eating is a common habit with many people for a variety of reasons. It could be that too much time has passed since your last meal, and you become ravenously hungry. Dieters on restricted-calorie regimens often succumb to intense hunger after drastically cutting back on their food intake. The real problem with this panic eating is that you're more likely to grab junk food, eat way too much of it, and suffer digestive issues later. And then shame and guilt set in. To prevent these binges, eat breakfast, snack on small, healthy foods (fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and seeds) between meals and stay hydrated with lots of water. Also, be wary of alcohol. Booze and binging often go hand-in-hand. And if you find the problem still persists regularly, seek medical help. Such episodes can be caused by more serious emotional issues, so talk to your doctor.

Tonya Rouse Hillenbrand is a certified fitness and nutrition expert, and a former national triathlete and duathlon team member. Click here to send her your questions.