We often hear about alcohol and drug addiction, but what about food addiction? Food is a biological need, whereas drugs and alcohol are inherently toxic and addictive. So why would someone become addicted to something as seemingly harmless as food? Recently, doctors and scientists have been recognizing a growing issue—food addiction—which has emerged in the past few decades in industrialized nations where food is abundant, fostering this addiction.
According to the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, food addiction is an obsessive preoccupation with food. This doesn’t mean that a food addict simply can’t get enough to eat; it could mean that they’re so concerned with food that they avoid it entirely. For instance, those with anorexia nervosa are severely afraid of gaining weight and often exercise excessively while eating as little as possible. On the other hand, there’s the more conventional food addict: the compulsive overeater. Additionally, there are overeaters who are also bulimic—hiding their eating habits from others, binging, and inducing vomiting to prevent weight gain.
Food addiction is a very real medical condition. But are you a food addict just because you occasionally crave ice cream or fast food? It’s normal to have an appetite and a taste for certain foods, but there’s a fine line that some cross into true food addiction. Is your appetite insatiable? Do you crave foods even when you’re not hungry? Many who are obese may be coping with a powerful food addiction that haunts them daily.
Refined sugars, fats, and flour are the primary culprits of food addiction. These ingredients can cause some people to become physiologically dependent on what they eat. For food addicts, it can be painful to remove those addictive foods (the ones that trigger cravings) from their diets, as they may experience withdrawal symptoms like depression, cramps, and tremors.
Identifying Food Addiction: Are You Affected?
But what about you—are you a food addict? It’s normal to enjoy food, using it not just for necessary energy but also for fun and socializing. However, if you’re constantly anxious about food—wondering when your next meal will be or how it will affect your weight—you might be struggling with an eating disorder.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine if you have a food addiction. If you answer “yes” to more than a handful of them, it’s advisable to consult a doctor about your issues with food.
WebMD and Dr. Cynthia Haines suggest you answer the following questions:
- Do I lack self-control when I eat? Does my mind tell me to stop eating but my body disagrees?
- Am I ashamed of my eating habits? Do I hide food and eat it behind closed doors?
- Do I feel guilty after I eat?
- Do I eat when I’m upset about something but not hungry?
- Do I eat even though I know it will lead to negative consequences later?
- Do I eat differently in public than in private?
- When I eat, do I experience pleasure and comfort that I can’t seem to find through other means?
- Is my weight negatively affecting my quality of life?
Beyond introspection, you can also observe physical signs of food addiction. These may include insomnia, moodiness, depression, self-hatred, and headaches—common issues for those struggling with food and weight problems.
If this article is alarming you, don’t panic! Food addiction is an increasingly common disorder, and as a result, there are many treatment options available to help you return to a healthier lifestyle.
Firstly, there are some basic steps you can take in the comfort of your own home to regain control over your eating habits. Dr. Haines offers a few helpful suggestions. If you can identify the environments and situations that trigger your cravings, you can begin to avoid them. It’s also important to incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine. Not only will exercise burn calories and boost your metabolism, but it will also serve as a healthy distraction from your unhealthy preoccupation with food. Other distractions may include meditation, reading, or playing an instrument—find a hobby that keeps your mind engaged and away from food. Additionally, drinking water every day (about 64 ounces) can significantly reduce food cravings and help manage your weight.
But if you are struggling with severe weight issues, you may need professional help to overcome your food addiction. Inpatient treatment programs are available for those who feel completely helpless with their addiction. Just as you would stay in a hospital to safely withdraw from drugs or alcohol, you can do the same with the foods you crave most. Outpatient counseling services and medications (though they should be carefully considered) can also be effective in managing your addiction.
What doesn’t work, however, are starvation diets. Often, people frustrated with their food addiction adopt an “all-or-nothing” approach and successfully shed pounds, but in an unhealthy way. In these cases, weight loss is typically only temporary. The key is recognizing that food addiction is a real, physiological need for certain foods that may be harmful to you. You might need to address underlying emotional issues before you can tackle your food problems. Individual or group therapy, as well as reconnecting with your spiritual side, can gradually help you break free from your food addiction.
Unfortunately, because food addiction has only recently been taken seriously, it’s often misunderstood and not seen in the same light as alcoholism or drug abuse. But just as with any substance, including food, it can be abused, and the treatment options are quite similar for all forms of substance abuse. As long as you acknowledge your food addiction, you can take the steps toward eating healthy again.
