Are you addicted to food? Food addiction is real, but what is it. Food addiction refers to when the need to eat becomes compulsive or uncontrollable.
I think I am going to trade my food addiction for something more acceptable. Like whoring or alcohol.
The urge to compulsively overeat is often triggered by stress or one of the many emotions mentioned previously.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our policies for more details.
When a person compulsively overeats, it usually involves sugar, salt or fat. These foods can cause cravings that the persons can only be satisfied by eating these foods.
Foods high in processed carbohydrates or sugar can cause a chemical reaction in the brain similar to that of cocaine or heroin.
I am not saying that you need to give up these foods, but many people that consider themselves food addicts will follow a diet low in carbohydrates and avoid any food that contains sugar.
Compulsive overeaters believe low carb eating gives them the best chance of avoiding binge eating episodes.
Depending on how badly a person struggles with food addiction, counseling or even rehab may be their best option. Keep in mind that physical cravings for foods like sugar will pass in 2 – 5 days.
If you can find something to focus on and avoid sugar for that long, you will find it becomes pretty easy to walk away from it when their are no cravings.
You don’t have to give up desserts, but you may want to change your thinking around desserts. Consider options with little or no sugar or processed alternatives. Fruit makes a great dessert.
Food journals are a great option to not only help you track food, but it also helps you track the emotions, location and how you feel when you eat. This a great way to identify patterns you were not aware of previously.
You think about how a smoker tends to smoke in the same situations daily…when they get in their car, when they finish a meal, with a cup of coffee.
Food can be similar…you snack when you sit down in front of the TV, when you work at a computer, when you get on the phone.
Breaking the cycle can be a challenge, but it can be done.