The concept of food addiction has recently gained increasing support. Brain imaging and other research studies of the effects of compulsive overeating on pleasure centers in the brain helped to support this concept. Recent research reveals that, for some people, the very same reward and pleasure centers of the brain that are set off by addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin are also triggered by foods that are rich in sugar, fat, as well as salt. Similar to addictive drugs, these highly palatable foods activate feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine. Like those who suffer from chemical or gambling addictions, people addicted to food will have difficulty stopping their habits, even if they want to or have attempted many times to reduce them. The reward signals may bypass the signals of fullness and satisfaction. Therefore, people keep eating, even when they are not hungry.
AM I A FOOD ADDICT?
Scientists at Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Science & Policy have developed a questionnaire to recognize individuals with food addictions. Here’s a sample of questions that can assist in establishing if you have a food addiction. Do these activities apply to you? Do you:- End up eating more than planned when you start eating particular foods.
- Keep eating certain foods even if you’re no longer hungry.
- Eat to the point of feeling ill.
- Worry about not eating or cutting down on specific types of foods.
- When certain foods aren’t available, go out of your way to obtain them.
- You consume certain foods so often or in large quantities that you start eating food instead of working, spending time with the family, or doing recreational activities.
- You don’t attend professional or social situations where specific foods are available because of worry of overeating.
- You have trouble functioning efficiently at your job or school because of food and eating.
- Eating food creates depression, anxiety, self-loathing, or guilt.
- You need to eat more and more food to minimize negative emotions or increase pleasure.
- Consuming the same quantity of food does not lower negative feelings or increase satisfaction the way it used to.
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Other physical symptoms like headaches
THERE IS HELP FOR FOOD ADDICTION
Some suggest that recovery from food addiction may be more complex than recovery from other dependencies. Alcoholics, for instance, can ultimately abstain from drinking alcohol. Yet individuals who are addicted to food still need to eat. Actions that you can start today in your fight against this addiction.- Write down a list of the foods that trigger cravings or binges. These are the trigger foods to avoid altogether.
- Think about what foods to eat. Note the healthy foods that are liked and already eaten regularly.
- List the fast food locations serving healthy foods and note their healthy and balanced alternatives. These places may protect against relapse when hungry and not in the mood to cook.
- Don’t go on a diet. Put weight loss on hold for a few months. Adding hunger and limitations to the mix will likely make your goals harder to accomplish.
- Decide the date, no further away than a couple of days, starting when you will stop eating the addictive foods. While it’s possible to get rid of addiction without help — even if it takes several tries — it can often be beneficial to seek help.