The Lived Experience of FTD: Overeating and Other Temptations in FTD
By Anne Fargusson, RN, AFTD Persons with FTD Advisory Council
Among the hallmark symptoms of FTD is an oral fixation, which can lead to overeating. FTD may also cause a craving for sweets: candy, cake, pie, ice cream. Combined, these two tendencies can lead to significant weight gain and a lower quality of life. Some caregivers report that they can’t leave any food unattended, especially sweets – because the next thing you know, the whole bag of cookies is gone.
It can be difficult to prevent overeating in FTD. Caregivers may try to limit their loved one’s food intake by hiding treats or keeping food locked away. But this isn’t always the solution, since people living with a diagnosis may just walk to the store.
If you have FTD yourself and are struggling to suppress your newfound fixation on food, you may have tried simply denying yourself the pleasures of food. Knowing you’ll binge, you avoid high-calorie sweets and snacks altogether. But trust me – it doesn’t work. Instead, I developed some tricks to help me limit my food intake and slow weight gain.
- Any kind of exercise routine you can safely attempt is a good idea, whether you join a gym or simply walk at home. This not only burns calories, it also seems to help curb temptations.
- I personally buy cookies, but I put them away in the cupboard, so I am not tempted to grab them as I walk by.
- Suck on hard candy to satisfy that oral fixation. They last a long time and don’t have many calories. If you crave chocolate, there are chocolate-flavored options.
- Low-calorie, portion-controlled treats are available. You can get ice cream fudge bars that are around 100 calories each.
- If you’re at a restaurant, get dessert there rather than at home so you aren’t tempted to eat seconds (or thirds).
- Keep diet soda on hand.
- Make sure you are well hydrated with water. There are plenty of options: flavored and unflavored, carbonated and still.
- Limit your alcohol intake. Those calories add up quickly.
- Stress and a lack of sleep tend to exacerbate cravings.
- Beware of loose clothing. You could be gaining weight without knowing it – until you put on your favorite jeans.
- Brush your teeth after meals. It seems to offset the need to continue eating.
- Don’t eat all the giveaway snacks at your supermarket or your wholesale club!
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