I have to admit that this really hits home, having been one since early childhood. In this context the word werewolf relates to night time eating.
William Polonsky terms this phrase in his book “Diabetes Burnout” and I think it’s both amusing and very accurate. A lot of people suffer from this and when you’re diabetic it’s even more troublesome because it can lead to weight gain and also higher numbers and a higher A1C.
Even as a child I remember spending hours in front of a cold soggy bowl of cereal with my mother insisting I had to eat breakfast and me insisting that I couldn’t! School saved me because then there was a time limit on the standoff.
Most of my life I never ate until 1 or 2 in the afternoon because I just wasn’t hungry. When I was diagnosed as diabetic much to my dismay I found that not eating as soon as possible after awakening could make the numbers higher! I still only eat enough to keep my liver happy early in the day.
The “werewolf syndrome” involves eating little and mostly very well during the daytime hours. The meals are often tiny though and (because of guilt from the previous night) unsatisfying and boring.
Often in the evening hours control is lost and the werewolf is unleashed! Many lose complete control and binge on high-carb foods in great quantities. Even after they are no longer hungry they feel powerless to stop the binges.
This then leads to guilt and frustration. They feel powerless to stop this cycle and suffer self-esteem issue because of this. The first step in taming the werewolf is recognizing the “triggers”:
- Stomach Hunger
- Eyeball Hunger
- Evening boredom
- Unconscious Eating
- Difficult Emotions
Stomach Hunger:
Eating small restricted meals during the day (often out of guilt) can lead to a loss of self-control at night when the urge to eat takes over. Worse yet, by that time you’re usually ravenous and overeating can be a result.
Eyeball Hunger:
Eating unsatisfying/boring food during the day, even though you’re no longer hungry, can lead to eyeball hunger. Even though your stomach may not be hungry your eyes, mouth and brain might still feel famished!
This often happens when people religiously follow diets or food plans that aren’t really to their tastes and desires. They try to convince themselves that they “Eat to live, not live to eat”. Your brain revolts and you seek escape from the deprivation and often binge. Food isn’t just for the body, it fulfills the desire for the satisfactions that both your mind and body crave. That’s why it’s so important to find food choices that are within your diabetic plan but that you also enjoy. You need to find and choose what’s right for you!
Evening Boredom:
Sitting down in front of the television every night watching perhaps what you’re not even interested in can lead to night time eating, even though we really find that it doesn’t help the boredom. Perhaps we’re lonely and seek the company of others but no one is available. Of course eating is not the answer, but finding other activities that interest us will keep the werewolf tamed.
Unconscious Eating:
Do you sit down with a bag of cookies only planning to have one or two and when you next look the bag is gone? 
It doesn’t matter what you’re involved in doing, eating unconsciously can often be a bad habit and often you’re not even really hungry. Taking steps to become “aware” of your actions is the first step. Also if you plan a snack only take out the amount you plan on and leave the rest in another area.
Difficult Emotions:
It’s often said that problems seem worse at night. That’s usually because there are fewer distractions and our mind tends to concentrate on them more. This is also a time when “comfort food” usually high in carbs is a craving. One of the reasons for this is that high-carb/sugar foods gives a temporary boost to what I call “feel good” hormones in the body. You’ve heard of a “sugar high”. But this doesn’t last and often leads to craving for more high-carb/sugar items and the bad emotions still always remain. Also the thought that “I already blew it, so I might as well eat more” often steps in. All of this leads to more guilt and sadness and the cycle continues over and over again.
Facing the real cause of these emotions can be terrifying and also takes time and perhaps help from professional sources. But recognizing the food is in no way a solution is the first step in taming the werewolf.
Here are what Polonsky calls the “Seven Silver Bullets” for taming the werewolf:
- Adjust your home environment to assist your effort (don’t buy cookies!)
- Plan a more stimulating evening.
- Unchain your overly restrictive daytime eating.
- Schedule an evening snack.
- Seek alternative methods of dealing with difficult emotions.
- Reach out to friends and family.
- Increase you eating awareness.
Lizzy
© EMO 7/12
Knowledge is Power
When I was diagnosed, close to 11 years ago, I was told “you are diabetic”, given a prescription for some medication, and told to wait for a nurse to come in and give me an insulin shot. When I picked up the prescription I was given a 10-page booklet telling me “All About How to Mange Diabetes”, and sent on my way. That was the extent of my “education”. 
I have been a diabetic for about 20 years, but was never in control until Byetta came out. I lost 50 pounds and my sugars were under control. I am now on Victoza; however, nothing seems to be working now. I quit smoking and have gained weight, I cannot affort Victoza. I am on Medicare and living on a fixed income, but even though I’m still taking Victoza, it doesn’t seem to be doing anything and I am out of control. I had to stop taking Metformin in February because of my kidneys and that is really when I started going backwards. Now I’m trying to decide if insulin would be better, but I’m told it would be almost as expensive as Victoza. I really don’t know which direction to go. I am in the “donut hole” with Medicare, so the cost of my meds is pretty much up to me and Medicare only pays small amounts on my meds. I sure do need some advice!!!
Hi Marsha,
Look on this link and you might be able to find some help with the cost of your medication. There are discounts depending on your income even if you do have insurance with some of them:
http://lizzysdlounge.com/2012/03/19/financial-assistance-for-insurance-and-medications/
Insulin does have a proven track record, but it does take a while to find the right dose for you.
Lizzy
Thanks for the advice. I will check out the other sites. I realize that the comments were about warewolves, but I forgot to put my comments in about that. I have that problem as well and once I start eating, I just can’t seem to stop. I appreciate all the comments and I’m hoping to make myself stop the madness as well as getting my meds figured out.
And I howl at the moon too, espeically when there is nothing in the fridge and I am totally stressed! Good news, I am able to consume more carbs at a time as my weight has dropped and activity has increased. Bad news, I am a werewolf with control issues. So I get to wage war in front of the fridge like this…one teeny piece of (insert forbidden frozen treat here) would be ok…. which then turns into a finger-pricking event, followed by full kitchen inventory to find substitute forage, and either I give in if my numbers are comforting OR I am horrified by my numbers and quickly find an alternative activity to occupy myself…or the anorexia monster shines through and makes me think about that scale….its enough to make my husband eat butter pecan ice cream in front of me just to distract me. I usually steal a few pecans. Losening up during the day seems to create less werewolf, frustration in life issues makes it worse. Which means I just have to learn better ways of dealing. Thank you so much Lizzy for your blog.
Hey Patricia,
I had to make a rule to eat nothing in front of the fridge, only sitting down at the table. Also all food counts whether you’re standing up or not. One little bite at a time really can add up so you have to take a portion and then stick to that.
You can nibble on the portion though.
Lizzy
Thanks for your response. No, I didn’t know that about Metformin. But I will definitely take it with food from now on.
I forgot to say I take two Metformin 500mg before breakfast and before dinner.
Scooton,
Are you aware that Metformin doesn’t work by acting when you take it but builds in your system to a certain level. So even if you take it before meals that doesn’t mean that it will “lower” meal numbers. http://lizzysdlounge.com/2012/03/14/all-about-metformin/
Lizzy
Lizzy, what I have just read is mind blowing to me. I can relate to EVERYTHING that you just said. And I do mean everything. I have never read what you wrote anywhere.
I want to share this with my Doctor in hopes that he can help me more effectively. The concept of the werewolf is such an apt description of what has been happening to me for years. Now that I have a name for “it” I believe I can become more aware and learn to deal with this night time eating.
Thank you so much Lizzy. Alan
The first step to solving any problem is awareness Alan. So you’ve already completed the first step.
Lizzy
Lizzy,
Is there any kind of help through a counselor who might provide assistance through “telephone sessions?” I feel I need such help. In reading your information I am beginning to see that this “Werewolf” issue needs to be recognized. Once again thank you so much for your help.
Sincerely
Alan
Alan I really don’t know about “telephone sessions” but I’m sure any therapist could help in-person. You’d have to check out what’s available in your area.
Lizzy
I was diagnosed Type 2 in May, so this all very new to me. I’m confused about post-eating numbers. How much of a spike is too much and if it comes down in a few hours, does it matter?
Hi Scooton,
You have to determine what numbers are right for you. Most people aim for a number not higher than 40 more than the pre-meal number during the “peak”. So that’s not focusing on a particular number, but depends on the number before you ate. This is all explained in the Testing 101 link: http://lizzysdlounge.com/2012/03/14/testing-101/
Lizzy
Hi Lizzy,
Thanks so much for all the information. I have had Diabetes for several years but have just recently been put on Metformin (500mg 1xday with dinner). I have really been tracking my carbs and can’t seem to eat over 12-14g of carbs without spiking my BS. Even as little 20g seems not to work for me, even if over half or more of the carbs come from vegtables (no starchy vegtables). I know the Metformin will take time, but will I be able to eat the suggested amout of carbs when it does? It’s been so frustrating because I know that’s too low to sustain ….usually <60 carbs daily and still getting spikes if a meal has over about 12-14g of carbs. BTW…I have been testing at 1 and 2 hours after first bite with no pre-testing. I am going to try testing the way you suggest.
Thanks so much,
Bev
Hi Bev,
The dose of Metformin you’re taking is very small, perhaps the doctor wanted to start low to give your system a chance to get used to it. You might not really see a lot of change without an increase. If you’ve been taking it for over about 6 weeks you should contract the doctor and report the issues. Your dose might be increased at that time, and/or perhaps another med prescribed that would stimulate your natural insulin production.
It’s good that you know your limits and what you can sustain for the long haul. That’s also an important aspect of control. Trying to stick with something that doesn’t work for you can lead to burnout as well.
Lizzy
Thanks for your quick response. Such a great website! One more quick question: My Internest is currently treating my Diabetes. He’s a great Dr., but I feel his knowledge on Diabetes is limited. Should I be seeing an Encronologist that specializes in Diabetes? I live in Houston, Tx. How do I go about finding a really good Dr.? Are there any resources for that? If any of your readers have a good Dr. in this area I would love a recommendation. Thanks again!!!
Hi Bev,
It’s really not necessary to see a specialist unless you have problems with your diabetes, of course you can if you feel more comfortable with it. Make sure you find one who specializes in diabetes because not all do, which surprises most people.
Finding a good doctor is the luck of the draw. Many people who are said to be “experts” don’t pan out or prove to be too busy to give you good care. Many also believe their own PR, and think that they’re the greatest!
You could ask around and see who people recommend. Otherwise it’s exploring the usual sources.
Lizzy
I think I maybe a werewolf. My parents used to make me and my sisters finish everything on our plate even if we were not hungry any more. I know that I have done at least four of these, eyeball hunger, evening boredom, difficult emotions and unconscious eating.
Welcome to the club James.
Just keep your fangs trimmed!
Lizzy
I’ll try. It’s not easy, even after 30 years.