No I don’t think food is my problem…

“Shock Horror! Are You Saying I Might Be a Food Addict?”

We all have moments when we feel angry, stressed and vulnerable…

What exactly is food addiction?

It is similar to several other eating disorders.

Including binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating.

Food addiction is an unhealthy relationship with food…

What causes food addiction?

Consuming “highly palatable” foods which are emotionally comforting.

Manufactured foods are designed to be emotionally comfort foods.

The combination of high carbohydrates, fat, salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners!

They play a role in triggering pleasure centers of the brain…

And release “feel-good” chemicals dopamine and serotonin.

Yes, and the underlying issues are triggered by deep emotions.

Here’s a quick look at my own uninvited scary thoughts:

• I could only make love with lights off
• Sometimes anxiety doesn’t subside
• I’d eat to the point of feeling ill
• Constantly worry if I’m good enough
• Confused and often feel no motivation
• Overwhelmed by simplest of tasks
• Worrying if my depression is out of control
• Obsessed trying to be good wife, adult, parent
• Making sure everyone is cared for before me
• Scared to talk about how I really feel
• Don’t know who I am outside of being a mother
• Have rage which comes out of nowhere
• Don’t want to be judged
• Feels like I’m failing doing everything
• Don’t know how to let go of anger
• Feels like I can’t trust a single soul
• Almost always wear the same clothes
• Haven’t worn makeup in months
• Need to take care of myself but I feel guilty
• Feels like I’m drowning (literally gasping for air)
• I need support but won’t ask or accept it
• I put too much pressure on myself
• When I’m in a bad mood I binge eat alone
• Keep eating food even if I was no longer hungry
• I’d always crunch angrily on a big bag of chips

The truth is…

I’d always worry about not eating certain types of foods.

I’d also worry about cutting down on certain types of foods.

And it terrified me when certain foods weren’t available…

I would sneak out and go out of my way to get them.

Food addiction and binge eating are invisible, subtle and progressive.

What if food addiction is left untreated?

Being overweight could develop into disease as a result:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease

And for me, the personal consequences took its toll.

I had to get help because my mental health was deteriorating.

I was genuinely scared and terrified I was going to lose my sanity.

What is food addiction?

Food is essential to survival and is an important aspect of wellness.

In addition, a means of pleasure and enjoyment.

Food addiction is also a preoccupation with food…

The person finds themselves chronically thinking about food.

Worried about it, planning around it, and obviously eating it.

In addition, a person with food addiction typically uses food to manage emotions.

Turning to food to manage negative emotions such as:

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Boredom
• Loneliness
• Frustration

Did you know certain foods can overtake and control a person?

To the point where they can be distracted from people in their lives.

And lose sight of their responsibilities.

Be more interested in thinking and talking about food than other topics.

People with food addiction may find themselves trapped…

And needing to eat more to get the same emotional effects.

They may also become obsessed.

Focused on food and planning to eat food.

Matter of fact with little of inconveniencing other people.

Because their need to eat is a priority…

It’s almost like a ritual to eat at certain times or at certain places.

People with food addictions may find themselves eating more often.

And needing to eat more food to get same emotional effects.

Certain foods can have bring comfort, numbing or negative effect.

And may even experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Irritability
• Loss of concentration

Especially when they cut out certain foods like refined sugar.

They will often describe craving food…

Having made repeated attempts to try and beat their addiction.

And not being able to succeed.

For people with a food addiction…

Food often starts as a reward.

Eat and then feel good.

And then can jump off the rails with food being used to avoid a bad feeling.

Eat so you won’t feel bad.

That’s when food tends to get “stuck” as something that feels like an addiction.

What’s the difference between food addiction or other types of addictions?

The key difference between food addiction…

And other types of addictions is that all of us have to eat.

When talking about other addictions like drugs and alcohol…

Remember a person can live without drugs and alcohol.

The goal in for most treatments of many addictions…

Particularly drugs and alcohol is typically abstinence.

Which is an impossible goal in food addiction.

In addition, other addictions, particularly drugs and alcohol…

And this might result in more physiological changes in the brain.

Causing dangerous withdrawal.

While food addiction can be harmful to health.

Namely unintentional weight gain…

Unintentional weight gain is a result of putting on weight.

All without increasing your consumption of food or liquid.

And without decreasing your activity.

This happens when you’re not trying to gain weight.

And the impact could be higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The daily and necessary nature of eating…

Makes managing these symptoms uniquely challenging.

And it has implications for how to manage food addiction.

What is the difference between food addiction and emotional eating?

Emotional eating is a pattern of regularly eating in response to emotions…

Typically negative or distressing emotions (e.g. sadness, frustration, anger).

Emotional eaters may not experience the same level of preoccupation.

Sometimes it’s really obvious someone has a food addiction…

Emotional eaters may not feel the same level of “high” from the foods.

And instead may claim the foods distracts or numbs them.

There is a great deal of overlap.

And in some ways emotional eating is a symptom of food addiction.

Although there emotional eaters who don’t experience same impact.

Or levels of preoccupation with rewards from food.

What are some signs/symptoms of food addiction?

Preoccupation with food…

Including planning your schedule largely around food.

Spending significant amounts of time thinking about or consuming food.

This time can be better spent in other activities which may decrease.

Needing to eat more and more over time to get the same emotional “fix.”

This can be needing to eat more to get same level of emotional numbing.

It could also be the same level of emotional reward.

Using food to manage emotions, both positive and negative emotions…

Using food as a way to manage negative emotions (sadness, anxiety, anger).

Using food as a distraction from states such as loneliness or boredom.

Food is also relied upon to celebrate…

And recall and show respect for good events or good feelings.

Relying and becoming distracted by food…

And food-related issues could make us feel less engaged in life.

Not as engaged with family, friends, partner, children or co-workers.

Just not participating in other aspects of life in the same way…

Experiencing a sense of “withdrawal” and/or distress.

When we can’t get our reward foods such as sugary or fatty foods.

Yes, this can manifest and impact us in many ways.

As in headache, irritability, poor concentration and feeling ill.

And the struggle only intensifies with multiple attempts…

That’s the reason why it’s important to address food eating patterns.

And not being able to succeed requires support…

Craving food in an intense manner to a degree that’s distracting.

Food addiction is a combination of a physical compulsion.

And mental obsession with food that drives you to eat against your will.

Food consumes your every waking thoughts and your dreams for that matter.

How can someone get help for food addiction?

Some people may find it useful to seek out group therapy.

Meet with other people who are struggling with similar issues.

This can build a sense of empathy and help people feel like they are less alone.

Reading about the issue and becoming informed is also useful.

Bear in mind food addiction can often have very deep emotional routes.

The first step is admitting there is a struggle and taking one step at a time.

Food addiction means these days I eat to a food plan…

Three weighed meals, no sugar, no flour.

Being exact in following my food plan is an act of spiritual surrender.

And it limits the decisions I have to make about what I eat everyday.

No, I don’t let myself get too hungry, angry, lonely, tired or stressed.

Click here to take the quiz and find out are your a food addict…

My goal here is to help in raising awareness of food addiction.

And helping fellow food addicts through binge eating coaching and counseling. 

ATTENTION: Do you often use language associated with addiction to describe your relationships with food…

“Why Women Suffering From Emotional Eating and Binge Eating Often Get Addicted To Food…”

Carb craver, chocaholic, how many times have you heard someone describe their relationship with food…

Yes, for many women the food obsession struggle is for real.

So, is it really possible to be addicted to certain types of food?

Did you know food can trigger behaviours.

And brain responses similar to drug addiction.

Imagine you’re a full time professional chef!

And you’re struggling with binge eating or other types of eating disorder.

May be for many it would be bizarre and counter-intuitive…

How could anyone suffering from binge eating spend so much time around food?

Are obsessions with food often linked with eating disorders?

Does it highlight the complexity and effects which go beyond eating itself?

Many of us have used diets at some point in our lives…

Whether the diet is to lose weight.

Maintain weight or be healthier.

What most diets have in common is restriction.

And this type of restriction is not just behavioural.

It is not simply the restriction of not eating a biscuit or forbidden food…

The restriction starts in our brains when we tell ourselves certain foods are off limits.

And where we talk about forbidden foods which keeps popping up in conversations.

In truth, people restricting their food intake can become preoccupied with food.

The restriction and preoccupation can manifest itself in a strong desire to overeat.

Women suffering from binge eating, binging and emotional eating are often obsessed with food.

In fact, I found myself hoarding recipes, reading articles, watching cookery shows…

Always stressed out cooking for others and preparing meals they themselves would not eat.

What drives an obsession with food…

There are two reasons why those with eating disorders might be driven to obsess over food.

The first is the brain’s way of telling a starving person they need to eat.

In context from an evolutionary perspective…

This is for survival and adapting to the environment.

You see, our brain won’t let us forget we are in need of fuel.

A study conducted by American physiologist Ancel Keys after World War II…

Ancel explored effects of starvation and re-feeding.

He wanted to better understand how to help concentration camp victims.

Ancel Keys found those who were starved became obsessed with food…

They dreamed and talked about food constantly.

All other aspects of life became insignificant.

The thoughts only subsided when they regained body fat.

Three of the participants even went on to become chefs.

It illustrates how great the impact is to experience food deprivation.

And ultimately how powerful it is on their decisions and life choices.

The second reason people with eating disorders obsess over food…

Is related to the need for control.

Control is often central to the development of a disorder.

For many sufferers…

Controlling their eating is a way to feel some mastery in an otherwise emotionally chaotic world.

Many studies have shown people with eating disorders suffer from low self esteem…

And often have other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.

To prepare food and be strong enough not to eat it.

This reinforces their self-worth and to some extent empowers them.

Pleasure from food is gained in an almost voyeuristic manner watching others eat.

Bear in mind food obsessions is not limited just to people with eating disorders.

Anyone using a restrictive diet is more likely to experience preoccupying thoughts.

And it affects decision making and saps our brain power as well.

A study found successful dieters and those who when given free access to appealing foods…

Surprisingly did not eat much but performed badly on a simple cognitive task.

Unsuccessful dieters and those who ate lots of the food performed very well.

This suggested those who were successful at restricting their intake…

Did so at the expense of their ability to perform another task.

And when others decided to ditch the diet, they freed up their brain capacity and performed well.

So obsessing over food and trying to maintain a diet can have detrimental effects on our performance.

Learned obsessions with food goes hand in hand with our relationships with food.

This can be influenced early in life and might affect our propensity to obsess over it…

A recent long-term study found mothers who use food as a reward…

Were more likely to have children who overeat when distressed.

This is compared with children of mothers who used less controlling feeding practices.

Learning early in life that food provides a source of comfort could play a role in food obsessions later in life.

Traditional ways used for recovery from an eating disorder can be a long process…

It can take many years, be derailed by relapses and it may never completely go away.

Even for those who have recovered, food may always hold a special meaning.

Is food obsession, binge eating, food addiction eating beyond physical comfort…

Feeling out of control trying to satisfy hunger which can’t be satiated with food?

Click here if you relate to these types of behaviours or have any concerns about your eating habits…

Food Obsession

Have you been struggling with your weight this year?

You’re doing a lot of exercises yet you still haven’t been losing weight?

Maybe you’ve added belly fat, some extra  pounds/kgs!

Well, at least you’ve come to understand its all about consciously making decisions in your life…

Choices that revolve around making healthy decisions.

This week your healthy diet challenge is focused around developing strategies to cope with emotional eating.

Maybe it’s a forbidden topic? Do you feel this problem is an issue that you’ve dealt with at one time or another?

Well, I know I’ve had my fair share of struggling with emotional eating. Why?

Because life is full of surprises mixed in with boredom, stress and anxiety.

Allow me to explain…

I’d like to take this opportunity to share strategies and more importantly to ask you how you’re able to handle these issues or problems?

Are your eating habits holding you back and making you feel angry?

After a while it becomes second nature to sabotage your appetite in an unhealthy fashion.

Let’s talk about how to answer these questions with basic guidelines/rules that have helped in the past:

• Eat when you start to feel a little bit hungry…
• Don’t wait until you are starving because when you’re famished you run the risk of overeating and eating too quickly.
• Take your time eating, eat slow, thoroughly chew and enjoy your food
• Eat small portions…

Your biggest challenge will most likely be about portion size and control…

What if you’re unsure about what “food portion size” means for you?

Don’t worry, we’ll be spending time on this and going over it in more detail.

The strategy is simple…you want to finish eating feeling light and satisfied.

If you feel heavy, too full or tired you have most likely eaten too much.

If you give your body too much food, it will start to store it as extra weight.

First and formeost, learn to listen to your body.

So called diet experts tell you this and that…their diet book has the answer, but what helps you is getting back in tune with what your body is telling you.

Are you listening?

Are you paying attention to the signals?

Are you aware of the little call from your brain every 2-3 hours that you need to eat something because you’re a little bit hungry?

Really, that’s how simple it really is to get back in control…

If you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss it, so it’s important to develop this basic body awareness.

Truly, I believe your body is more than capable of telling you when and how much you want to be eating, the trick is learning to listen.

As you begin to pick-up on your body signals, you get more intune with those distractions…

Yes, in other ways that avoid you feeling like dealing with your feelings by turning to food.

Now, you may have tried all sorts of diets in the past…

Some of the most common distractions include watching t.v, reading your favourite glossy magazine or even going out shopping.

All of these distractions work of course, and I’ve done them a million times to distract myself from emotional eating.

We all go through daily ups and downs, we have our own personal stories full of life’s various hurts and disappointments.

Unfortunately some of which still may continue to haunt you.

Remember those profoundly negative experiences and dramatic changes?

Overall, all these experiences cahnge your attitude and direction in life.

The question is how you deal with or handle it all for positive and enriching life, instead of moving from one empty distraction to another…

What if you focused on building, creating and learning.

The greatest joy of learning is having an open mind to what areas you feel passionate about in your own life.

Once your focus is on developing yourself, you can make much better decisions in every area of your life…including your diet.

This leads to the importance of treating yourself with respect.

What if your best friend was upset that they were having a tough time dealing with emotional eating?

Honestly would you beat them up even more with harsh words and a judgmental attitude?

You’d be caring, supportive and kind, yet how many times have you stood in front of the mirror berating yourself angrily for slipping on your diet?

You want to learn to treat yourself as if you were your own best friends!

That means caring and nurturing your soul with loving kindness.

Nothing is gained when you add your own insults and self criticisms…often playing like a broken record in your head.

This is a difficult habit to break…perhaps the most important lesson of all.

Please will you treat yourself well and affirm the positives? If you slip, then get back on track and resolve to be stronger the next time.

Refocus on your goals and continue to move forward.

You may repeat this process a hundred times and each time you get back up on your feet you’ll be a little bit stronger.

Eventually new healthier habits will form and you’ll reach a breakthrough ready for new diet and exercise challenges 🙂

Talk with you soon…Jody