Discover why you are addicted to food, the problem with the behavior and answers on how to break free from your food addiction.
You may not even realize you have a food addiction. Maybe you consider yourself someone who has a terrible sweet tooth or who really enjoys food. But if you think about food often throughout the day, experience a physical craving for certain types of foods or spend half the time eating a well-balanced diet and the other half binging on less healthy choices, odds are you are a food addict.
Habits of a Food Addict
1.Soothe Emotions. Typically a food addict will push down unpleasant feelings with food. Not just any food, but comfort foods. Ever have a fight with your mom or spouse and immediately hit the freezer for the container of ice cream? You try to relive the feelings without actually dealing with the problem.
The Problem: Food is a temporary fix. When it wears off you will feel worse and the original problem remains.
The Answer: Tackle problems head-on. Don't let thoughts fester and eat away at you. Deal with your emotions and your relationship problems as they occur so you won't feel the need to use food as your faithful friend.
2.Fixation With Food You think about food all the time and you are always planning your next sugar high.
The Problem: You've designed your lifestyle around food and make it one of your top priorities.
The Answer:Change your lifestyle to include activities that don't revolve around food. Exercise, for example, is one way to get a similar high as you would from eating sugar.
3.Secret Binges. Food addicts often hide food or only binge when they are alone.
The Problem: You're only fooling yourself. You won't win the weight loss battle if you continually sabotage yourself. It's faulty thinking.
The Answer: Eat scheduled meals at the dinner table. Don't keep food in your car, desk or nightstand. Lock your purse in the trunk when you go out so drive-thru restaurants aren't accessible. Find someone who will hold you accountable.
4.Eat Until the Food is Gone. Some people were raised to clean their plates and they have a hard time breaking the habit. You lack control to stop eating.
The Problem: Even healthy foods, when consumed in large quantities, pack a lot more calories than your body needs.
The Answer: Put your health first. Prepare meal plans and only eat what is on your plate. Measure foods out ahead of time into single serving packages.
5.Feeling Guilty. Food addicts tend to feel guilty after indulging in too much of the wrong foods.
The Problem: It can turn into a vicious cycle of feeling bad, overeating, feeling guilty and eating some more.
The copyright of the article Break Your Food Addiction in Weight Loss is owned by Tracy Rose. Permission to republish Break Your Food Addiction in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I came across a recent study that showed that people who thought about the
food that they had consumed ate less.
The participants were all
given lunch. An hour later they were divided into 2 groups. One group was
led straight into a room with cookies - they were free to eat as many as
they wanted. The other group were questioned about their lunch and were
asked to recall as many details as possible about what they ate and their
sensations. The second group was then led into the cookie room and was
encouraged to eat as many as they wanted. The second group ate less.
The explanation proposed is that they had more vivid memories of what they
ate (1/2 hours ago) and were able to sustain themselves on that. They had a
food memory.
So perhaps thinking about food in a constructive
way is the key, rather than not thinking about food at all (by
pre-occupying yourself with other activities).
Dec 22, 2008 2:55 PM
Guest :
really struggling with this addiction to food. I know it is a stress
related thing, just really trying to break the cycle,and to stop being obsessed about mealtimes and food and then feeling really bad when i've
overeaten.
Mar 28, 2009 3:19 PM
Guest :
I am a food addict in recovery. I was raised by a family of food addicts
and alcholics. We ate for comfort, pleasure and just to be social. I
enjoyed eating sugar and flour based items but would eat any thing and
everything in large quantities to get that full enough feeling. Full
enough where I could not eat another bite then I was sick and felt bad and
did not want to see anyone or go anywhere but in front of the tv where I
could fantasise about living another life.
A friend who was
also over 300 lbs lost an amazing amount of weight at www.foodaddicts.org
and I went to a meeting. After seeing people just like me sick with a
stronghold disease that was killing them lost weight and tell my story in
their testamony I knew it was my issue also. In under 6 months I lost 100
lbs that I had carried for over 20 years.
I thought my youth
was gone and my live was over. I was divorced and thought at 45 I would
never find happiness but God through his grace has renewed my spirit like
an eagle and I have learned that Food Addiction can be arrested one day at
a time by following a 12 step program that has helped many thousands of
people deal with addictions with alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and yes
food.
By weighing and measuring the food I eat every day I
control the cravings that made me insane. Flour and sugar made me mentally
fuzzy, depressed and very emotional. I ate for comfort, love and sex but
food did not ever really comfort me but sabotaged my life.
Now
by his Grace I am asking God to restore my pittiful life and help me find
peace with this new life and body. At first when I lost the weight I
imagined I would immediately find the man of my dreams and my problems with
money, men, sex, love and people in general would disapear. When that did
not happen I started to eat again. After gaining 13 pounds I realized I was
killing myself and I got help from a sponsor at the program whom I call
every day and commit my food to.
His support and guidance has
helped me live with this terrible disease one day at a time. I am grateful
for my new life and Hope somehow my story will help some one find a
solution to their weight probelem and more importantly the issues that are
eating them and making them turn to food when they really need other
things like love, friendship, fellowship and comfort of people who care.
They are out there. Program like www.lifeskills411.org and
www.foodaddicts.org can give you a new life. U R worth 2 live it!
Apr 13, 2009 3:57 PM
Guest :
I'm sorry, but I have to say, if it were as easy as following these steps
none of us would have a problem. The steps are of course right on and
healthy ways to live, but if we were able on our own to make those healthy
choices we wouldn't be called food addicts.
Apr 20, 2009 1:51 PM
Guest :
I am a food addict. Love looking at recipe books, thinking of food, baking,
eating, etc. but I'm skinny. So, many of you might not consider this a
problem, but I can see that it might become worse in the future. I hate the
fact that I constantly think about food or what I might eat. Most advice
revolves around finding other activities like exercise, but I ENJOY
exercise. I run, lift, and do abs almost every day. Any help or
suggestions?
Jun 26, 2009 7:59 PM
Guest :
I am only 15 and i have n addiction to food. I have gained almost 30 pounds
now over the course of a year. I don't even know what to do any more, i try
to eat heathily and exercise then i get of track for a few days and gain
even more weight...I'm just so fed up with my life being allll about foood
allll the time!!
Jul 1, 2009 10:28 PM
Guest :
I am a food addict, and I agree with the person that wrote on April
13th. However, there are some things that have helped me manage my
addiction. They certainly don't eradicate my addiction, but it helps me
avoid many of the side effects including: shame, guilt, obesity, large
grocery bills, and eating disorders. 1. I keep a food diary, and I
make myself keep a record of binges/calories/purging. Even though I am the
only one reading it, it still helps me eat a healthy amount of food for my
age and height. 2. To cut down on impulsive food buys, I write a
grocery list prior to going to the store. I really think about impulse buys
by asking myself one simple question: will buying this upset me later? 3. I drink 12 ounces of water before I eat large quantities--this helps
me eat less than I would prefer to. 4. I put my food on small plates
to trick myself into thinking I am eating more than I am. 5. I have an
awesome oral-b professional care toothbrush, and I brush after major meals
to discourage eating when I am full. 6. I chew gum or suck low-cal
candy, drink low-cal drinks, and plan my snacks. I generally need something
to eat every 4 hours, so I plan accordingly. This may make me sound
like a total nut, but these are the things that help me. Bottom line: it
sucks to have a food addiction, because you can't escape it. But you can
help yourself avoid things like obesity, eating disorders, and large food
bills. Good luck to everyone!
Jul 29, 2009 7:59 AM
Guest :
I hate how these twelve step programs always seem to have something to do
with religion. The good advice and support always seems to come bundled
with incessant God-babble.
There are many non-religious people
in the world, and they're suffering the same problems. I have completely
cut my addiction to smoking and made serious strides toward managing my
food addiction, found a wonderful partner and now lead a very rewarding
life - all without talking to any invisible bearded men.
This is
to all others like me, who have real problems with their lives and don't
feel comforted by adult fairy tales: we're out here. Don't ruin your
chance for recovery just because it seems like you'll have to join a church
to do it. You won't.
Aug 3, 2009 5:54 AM
Guest :
It is hard to admit to a food addiction but I believe that is the root to
my problem with a life long struggle with weight and body image. This
article and all the comments from readers were quite helpful in clearing my
thoughts.
I linked to this article on my blog
http://draletta.typepad.com/explorewhatsnext/2009/08/comfort-food-my-crack-
cocaine.html
and I quoted one of the commenters. I wish I had
space to quote them all!
Thank you, Dr. Aletta explorewhatsnext.com
Aug 4, 2009 8:57 AM
Guest :
First of all, let me say the FIRST blogger in the thread holds a very
substantial point of evidence. Second, let me announce proudly that I have
lost 20+ lbs. in two months without religion b/c I ate meals with my family
ONLY instead of alone, like I usually did. Now, I'm losing weight to join
the military b/c I think I will commit suicide if I have to put up with my
mom's nagging. Sometimes, I eat three bowls of ice cream by myself in front
of the T.V.----I tell myself, "Sure, eat as much as you want!"
And so I do----but after I eat a certain amount, I feel sated----and then I
don't eat anything sweet for like another two weeks b/c I remind myself of
that delicious, allowable fix I earlier provided for my craving. I used to
weigh 94 pounds three years ago, and went up to 180 lbs. just a couple
months back. Now I am 158 lbs. and I hope to embody "Duty, Honor, and
Country." I believe in you folks who are trying to find a new way to
live----being anorexic then bulimic then obese has helped me find a new
perspective on what it means to be healthful in mind and body. Feel free to
e-mail me at hellocraigslister@gmail.com if you'd like me to help you on
your own journey. Please note that you should not punish yourself nor be
ashamed for the desires you have----everyone becomes a predator---a
saint----a convert at some point in his/her life----so be at peace with the
life choices ahead and think methodically and with a presence of
solace---not panic, for that is where we err. Think about it, think
long-term, and deny anguish and despair to rule your life. I used to eat
when tired or irritated----quite a lethal combo, dear friend.
Aug 13, 2009 4:06 AM
Guest :
I am a thirteen year old overweight girl with a obsession with food. I have
a problem where I don't eat at all one day and then I binge eat the next
day.I am never happy with myself unless I have the feeling of fullness in
my stomach or the feeling of emptiness so as my stomach would growl. How do
I find I balance?
Sep 13, 2009 12:51 AM
Guest :
I really struggle with emotional eating, I constantly think of food and
when I need to eat. I appreciate the advice and I am also getting some
help through a online coach to help me stop my compulsive eating and
binging habits.
If anyone needs some help try
http://www.totellwellness.com they are opening my eyes to new ways of
breaking my addiction to food.
Oct 18, 2009 5:37 PM
Guest :
I got me a convenient online coaching program at www.totellwellness.com and
it has been 2 weeks since I began documenting my reaction to food and other
excercises. So far so good, I have lost only 2 pounds so far but it is
working!
No more emotional eating for me, now it is the struggle
to make it a habit that will naturally stick.
