Food addiction is a common problem in Western society. Food addiction refers to when the need to eat becomes compulsive or uncontrollable. This compulsive behavior may be in response to an emotion, such as stress, sadness, or anger. Food addiction is closely associated with eating disorders including obesity, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. One theory suggests that individuals can develop a chemical dependency to particular foods in the same way that people develop addictions to alcohol or cigarettes.
Consuming food triggers chemicals in the brain such as dopamine that act as a reward and give pleasurable sensations to the individual. These chemicals can also act as a release from emotional distress. The human body needs food to function, but food addiction is when a person becomes dependent on certain types of foods. Foods that contribute to a food addiction are unhealthy such as chips, candy, or white bread.
Addiction
can be split into two categories: addiction to a substance, such as a drug, or
addiction to a behavior, such as eating. It is estimated that around 35
percent
of adults in the U.S. are obese. While food addiction may contribute to
obesity, it is not the only factor. One review found that up to 10
percent of people with a food addiction were underweight, at a healthy weight,
or overweight rather than obese.
Treatment
for food addiction needs to address the emotional, physical, and psychological
needs of the individual. Treatments that have been found to be effective include:
·
Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to identify and change
thought patterns and create new coping mechanisms for food addiction triggers. CBT can be done
individually or in a group with others.
·
Medication, which may be
used to relieve symptoms of depression or anxiety.
·
Nutritional
counseling and dietary planning, which can help a person develop a
healthy approach to food choices and meal planning.
·
Solution-focused
therapy,
which focuses on finding solutions for specific issues in a person's life that
cause stress and overeating.
·
Trauma
therapy,
which aims to deal with trauma that may be associated with or may trigger a
food addiction.
There
are also several lifestyle changes that may help a person manage a food
addiction, including:
·
allowing
time for a food craving to subside, which can be 2-5
days
or longer
·
avoiding
caffeine
·
cooking
meals at home
·
drinking
plenty of water
·
eating
three balanced meals a day
·
exercising
regularly
·
getting
enough sleep
·
preparing
and sticking to a grocery list of healthful foods when shopping
·
reducing
workplace and social stress
·
replacing
processed foods and sweeteners with nourishing alternatives
·
sitting
at a table while eating, focusing on the food, and chewing slowly
Here
are each of the eight common signs and symptoms of food addiction.
Eating Until Feeling Excessively
"Stuffed"-You
keep on eating, then you eat some more. When you finally stop, when your
"urge" is satisfied, you realize that you have eaten so much that you
feel completely stuffed.
Feeling Guilty Afterwards, but Still
Doing It Again Soon-If
you have been trying to exert "willpower" to control your consumption
of unhealthy foods, giving in to a craving can lead to a guilty conscience.
Hiding Your Eating From Others-People with a history of rule
setting and repeated failures often start hiding their consumption of junk food
from others.
Making Up Excuses in Your Head-At these moments, you start thinking
about whether you should or should not indulge. You may come up with some
excuse about why it would be a good idea to give in to the craving and have
that piece of food.
Repeated Failures at Setting Rules
for Yourself-There
are few things that are as hopeless as setting rules about eating, especially
for those who have problems with cravings. Examples include one cheat meal per
week, two cheat meals per week, one cheat day, only eat junk food at parties,
birthdays or holidays, etc. I've personally tried all of these rules, along
with a dozen others. They failed, every time.
Unable to Quit Despite Physical
Problems-A
lifetime of junk food consumption can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, Alzheimer's, dementia and even some types of cancer, bad breath,
fatigue, and poor dental health.
You Eat Much More Than You Intended
To-This
is an "all or nothing" phenomenon that is common with addicts of all
sorts. There is no such thing as "moderation."It simply does not
work. Telling a food addict to eat junk food in moderation is almost like
telling an alcoholic to drink beer in moderation. It's just not possible.
You Get Cravings Despite Being Full-A food craving is not about your
need for energy or nutrients. It is your brain calling for something that
releases dopamine in the reward system of the brain.
“Every addiction arises from an unconscious refusal to face and move
through your own pain. Every addiction starts with pain and ends with pain.
Whatever the substance you are addicted to - alcohol, food, legal or illegal
drugs, or a person - you are using something or somebody to cover up your
pain.” (Eckhart Tolle) [i]
[i] Sources used:
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