Jelly Roll Says 1 Cheat Meal Turns Into a ‘5-Day Food Bender’

Jelly Roll, the American singer whose real name is Jason DeFord, has opened up about his ongoing battle with stress eating and how it can lead to prolonged periods of overeating. In a candid discussion shared on his YouTube channel, the 41-year-old artist spoke with influencer Salvatore Reedus, who has also documented his own health struggles. Jelly Roll describes his relationship with food as akin to addiction, revealing the challenges he faces in maintaining moderation in various aspects of his life.

During his conversation, Jelly Roll admitted to recently experiencing a phase of excessive eating, which he referred to as a “five-day food bender.” He explained that his indulgent behaviour was triggered by something as innocuous as a “dairy-free skillet cookie” encountered at a concert venue. Reflecting on his behavior, he remarked, “I was feeling myself stress-eating and then, what else happened was the addict in me came out.”

The singer elaborated on his struggle, highlighting how one seemingly harmless indulgence can lead him to escalate his eating habits. “You can’t eat that ‘cause if I eat one, I’ll eat two. I’ll eat four. So later that night, I’m at the taco truck getting a peanut butter fluff. Next thing I know, we’re at the rest stop, I’m looking for a chocolate bar,” he confessed. This cycle of overeating, he explained, can lead to significant excess in calorie consumption, as he noted, “I consumed 2,000 extra calories today that I didn’t see coming.”

Jelly Roll’s announcement comes at a challenging time in his personal life, having recently filed for divorce from podcast host Bunnie Xo. He remarked on the difficulties of straying from his meal plan, equating the experience to a feeding frenzy and admitting, “it’s like the taste of blood.” He expressed concern that it will take considerable time to regain control over his eating habits, stating, “Now it’s going to take me a whole another week to get that [taste] completely out of my mouth.”

Reedus, who also struggles with similar issues, chimed in, stating, “I can’t have one burger. I’ve got to have five.” Jelly Roll echoed this sentiment, indicating that his addictive tendencies extend beyond food. He remarked, “I’ve never had a shot. I’ve never done a line of cocaine. I’ve never smoked a joint,” illustrating the depth of his struggle with moderation. He expressed that he approaches all aspects of indulgence with an ‘all or nothing’ mentality.

Further commenting on societal perceptions of moderation, Jelly Roll noted that people often encourage the idea of having an occasional “cheat meal.” He stated, “You can have one for a cheat meal. I can’t.” For him, one indulgent meal can quickly devolve into an extended period of overeating, compounding his struggles.

However, Jelly Roll took a moment to impart a crucial message to his fans: the importance of self-compassion during times of failure or excess. “Give yourself grace on those days you eat four skillet cookies. I’m still doing it,” he urged, emphasising that it is human to have off days. He reassured listeners that it is acceptable to occasionally indulge, stating, “It’s okay to have a bad meal. It’s okay to have a bad day.”

In summarising his thoughts, Jelly Roll encouraged individuals not to fall into the trap of self-criticism when it comes to food choices. “Don’t beat yourself up about it … don’t punish yourself for it,” he advised, reiterating the significance of embracing grace and understanding during challenging moments. As he continues to navigate both personal and public challenges, his message serves as a reminder that none of us are alone in our struggles, and there is always room for kindness towards oneself.