WHAT IS FOOD ADDICTION?
Food is essential to human survival and is an important aspect of our
wellness, in addition to a means of pleasure and enjoyment. Food not only
provides needed sustenance, it also adds a gratification factor through various
tastes, smells, textures, etc. 
However, for many individuals, food can become as addictive as drugs are
to a substance abuser. For men and women suffering with a food addiction,
highly palatable foods (which are often rich in fat, sugar, and/or salt) trigger
chemical reactions in the brain that induce feelings of pleasure and
satisfaction.
Food addiction is a complex mental health issue that can have serious
complications if left untreated, it is highly recommended that professional
help be sought to effectively heal from this disorder.
Food addiction can also be associated with other co-occurring disorders,
such as eating disorders or substance abuse.
CAUSES OF FOOD ADDICTION
A man or woman may develop a food addiction as a result of biological,
psychological, or social reasons.
Biological causes that may influence the progression of a food addiction
might include hormonal imbalances, abnormalities in various brain structures,
side effects from the use of certain medications, or having family members with
food addiction issues.
A food addiction might also be the result of psychological factors which
might include emotional or sexual abuse, being a victim or survivor of a
traumatic event, having an inability to healthily cope with negative
situations, or experiencing grief or loss.
Lastly, there are social implications that may be involved with food
addiction, including factors such as disturbances in family function, pressure
from peers or society, social isolation, child abuse, and stressful life
events.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The following are possible symptoms of food addiction:- Gorging
in more food than one can physically tolerate
- Eating
to the point of feeling ill
- Going
out of your way to obtain certain foods
- Continuing
to eat certain foods even if no longer hungry
- Eating
in secret, isolation
- Avoiding
social interactions, relationships, or functions to spend time eating
certain foods.
- Difficulty
function in a career or job due to decreased efficiency
- Spending
significant amount of money on buying certain foods for bingeing purposes
- Decreased
energy, chronic fatigue
- Difficulty
concentrating
- Sleep
disorders, such as insomnia or oversleeping
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Digestive
disorders
- Suicidal
ideations
If you or your loved one has been experiencing any of these above
symptoms as a result of food addiction, seek out professional help immediately
to work through these pertinent issues.
FOOD ADDICTION EFFECTS
If a food addiction is left ignored or untreated, it can rapidly begin
consuming your life, creating damaging and chronic symptoms. Understanding how
food addiction may affect the different aspects of your life may encourage you
to get the help you need and deserve. The following are some of the
effects of food addiction:
Physical Effects – A food addiction can result in many negative
physical consequences on the body as an excess of food is consumed. These
are some physical effects that may be experienced:
- Heart
disease
- Diabetes
- Digestive
Problems
- Malnutrition
- Obesity
- Chronic
fatigue
- Chronic
pain
- Sleep
disorders
- Reduced
sex drive
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Kidney/Liver
Disease
- Osteoporosis
Psychological Effects – Food addiction can be
debilitating to mental health, especially if there is lack of support or
inadequate help. Some of the psychological effects that may be
experienced include:
- Low
self-esteem
- Depression
- Panic
attacks
- Increased
feelings of anxiety
- Feeling
sad, hopeless, or in despair
- Increased
irritability, especially if access to desired food is restricted
- Emotional
detachment or numbness
- Suicidal
ideation
Finally, food addiction can have an impact on your social life and
relationships. Social effects of food addiction include:
- Decrease
performance at work or school
- Isolation
from loved ones
- Division
within family units
- Lack
of enjoyment in hobbies or activities once enjoyed
- Avoidance
of social events or functions
- Risk
of jeopardizing finances or career
HOW TO DESIST FROM FOOD ADDICTION
It
can be difficult to overcome binge eating and food addiction. Unlike other
addictions, your “drug” is necessary for survival, so you don’t have the option
of avoiding it. Instead, you must develop a healthier relationship with food—a
relationship that’s based on meeting your nutritional needs, not your emotional
ones.
In
order to stop the unhealthy pattern of binge eating, it’s important to start
eating for health and nutrition. Healthy eating involves making balanced meal
plans, choosing healthy foods when eating out, and making sure you’re getting
the right vitamins and minerals in your diet.
10
strategies for overcoming food addiction
- Manage stress.
One of the most important aspects of controlling binge eating is to find
alternate ways to handle stress and other overwhelming feelings without
using food. These may include exercising, meditating, using sensory
relaxation strategies, and practicing simple breathing exercises.
- Eat 3 meals a day plus healthy
snacks. Eating breakfast jump starts
your metabolism in the morning. Follow breakfast with a balanced lunch and
dinner, and healthy snacks in between. Stick to scheduled mealtimes, as
skipping meals often leads to binge eating later in the day.
- Avoid temptation.
You’re much more likely to overeat if you have junk food, desserts, and
unhealthy snacks in the house. Remove the temptation by clearing your
fridge and cupboards of your favorite binge foods.
- Stop dieting.
The deprivation and hunger of strict dieting can trigger food cravings and
the urge to overeat. Instead of dieting, focus on eating in moderation.
Find nutritious foods that you enjoy and eat only until you feel content,
not uncomfortably stuffed. Avoid banning certain foods as this can make
you crave them even more.
- Exercise.
Not only will exercise help you lose weight in a healthy way, but it also
lifts depression, improves overall health, and reduces stress. The natural
mood-boosting effects of exercise can help put a stop to emotional eating.
- Fight boredom.
Instead of snacking when you're bored, distract yourself. Take a walk,
call a friend, read, or take up a hobby such as painting or gardening.
- Get enough sleep.
If you're tired, you may want to keep eating in order to boost your
energy. Take a nap or go to bed earlier instead.
- Listen to your body.
Learn to distinguish between physical and emotional hunger. If you ate
recently and don't have a rumbling stomach, you're probably not really
hungry. Give the craving time to pass.
- Keep a food diary.
Write down what you eat, when, how much, and how you're feeling when you
eat. You may see patterns emerge that reveal the connection between your
moods and binge eating.
- Get support.
You're more likely to succumb to binge eating triggers if you lack a solid
support network. Talking helps, even if it’s not with a professional. Lean
on family and friends, join a support group, and if possible consult a
therapist.
FOOD ADDICTION TREATMENT
If you or a loved one has found yourself stuck within the vicious cycle
of a food addiction, you have likely experienced a roller coaster of emotions,
including despair, frustration, and hopelessness. Living with a food
addiction may be preventing you from enjoying a life you once lived, though the
possibility for healing always exists.
Medication is not a cure for a food addiction. A number of
medications may be useful in helping to treat food addiction symptoms as part
of a comprehensive treatment program that includes therapy, group support, and
proven self-help techniques.
- Topamax –
The seizure drug topiramate, or Topamax, may decrease binge eating and
increase weight loss. However, Topamax can cause serious side effects,
including fatigue, dizziness, and burning or tingling sensations.
- Antidepressants
– Research shows that antidepressants may decrease binge eating in people
with bulimia and may also help people with binge eating disorder. However,
studies also show that relapse rates are high when the drug is
discontinued.
Sources: www.helpguide.org.
Authors:
Melinda Smith, M.A., Robert Segal, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last
Author: Baxter Ekern
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