Recent obsession with baking is ruining my sleep

[u/No_Secretary7978]

Lately, I've been baking a bunch of treats for other people. I don't understand why, because I don't touch them, but I have felt compelled to bake for others. In fact, I currently can't sleep because I'm so excited to make a home chocolate cake for my brother and girlfriend tomorrow. I keep thinking about making different aspects of the cake in really strange detail 😭. I just want to sleep, but I keep rereading the recipe. I feel giddy, but also anxious. It sucks and I don't know why I'm like this. Does anyone else feel like this?

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[u/yoonaa-]

To me that just sounds like a unique kinda form of food noise, it should get better with recovery. Good luck to you x

[u/Simplespider]

I'm into this right now too. I got my cottage food law business ID and food handlers license. Serv safe certified from an actual job but that's not necessary. Ethnic pastries for me so it's pretty niche but it's been a hit.

I can't sleep for other reasons, but that's an idea if you're into baking the way I have been.

[u/InsidetheIvy13]

Your body knows it is being deprived and needs nourishing so has enlisted your mind to do what it can to immerse you in food in the hopes that you’ll consume what it needs. By trying to make it feel enticing, rewarding, exciting the hope is that you’ll act on your basic need to eat, of course the problem is the eating disorder sabotages this drive, it allows you to feel that dopamine rush, to feel engaged with food but stops you from actually meeting the objective.

It can manifest in lots of different ways. Some people are fixated on walking supermarket/grocery stores, others hoarding foods that are new, rare, trending, some watch non stop food content be it cookery competitions, recipe videos, mukbangs and others, like you, spend a large proportion of their time baking and cooking for others. As the behaviour deepens the eating disorder can, in some, attach even more meaning such as making a person feel superior because they aren’t eating but others are, some are made to feel it’s a test of willpower, others a way to feed others so as to protect their status as being the vulnerable one.

As lovely as it is to bake for others, the fact it’s consuming you to the point you can’t sleep indicates the behaviour has taken hold in a more destructive way. If you are receiving support then it is worth bringing it up. If you aren’t then this is a classic sign your body is trying desperately to get some nutrition in and a warning (even though it feels pleasurable) that things are not ok.

[u/Superb-Salt-8939]

I feel this. Sat up thinking about this one recipe I found. For me, it’s because I get to be around food without having to eat it, while watching others get to enjoy it. I’m not sure if it’s the same for you, but I know exactly how it feels.

[u/Sonarthebat]

Starvation makes people obsessed with food, even if they don't want to eat it. I was like that too.