Food Addiction, We All Have It, But to What Degree? When we think about addiction we think of drugs and alcohol, but food can be as dangerous as these. I have suffered from food addiction for many years. Emotional eating was a very big part of my life. Filling a void that I did not know I had. It took over my life, eating in public and in secret; I was morbidly obese by the time I realized I had a problem.  We often judge people that are overweight thinking, “just control yourself”. But this is not easy as I have come to understand through my journey to a healthy and happy body.

What have I learned from having this addiction?....

I've stopped judging overweight people, I have stopped judging myself. Addiction is a sickness that can be treated and I have been sort of cured. I eat and nourish my body. I still eat unhealthy foods, sometimes, but hold myself to a rule, 80% of the time I eat healthy and 20% of the time I indulge with clear boundaries.

Food addiction happens when the brain gets triggered by substances in palatable foods, especially those rich in salt, sugar, or fat. This causes chemical reactions that activate the brain’s reward center that induces the feelings of pleasure or satisfaction.

Oftentimes, the “good” or “pleasurable” feeling of consuming these foodstuffs results in the person eating more, even if they are full or not hungry. Other people with food addiction are aware, but they still give in to satisfy their cravings. At times they will feel guilty, to the point that they will repeatedly but unsuccessfully quit their cravings.

The consequence of food addiction can manifest physically, emotionally, or socially. This includes adverse health issues ranging from obesity to heart diseases to various digestive disorders, or psychological conditions such as depression, low self-esteem, or isolation.

Food addiction is a cycle that can be difficult to overcome, but it’s possible with the help of professionals, as well as family and friends.

What Can You Do?

+ Prepare yourself. Ask yourself why you need to overcome your food addiction. How does that affect your health and relations with others?

+ Once you’re ready, make some lifestyle adjustments. You can create a list of all trigger foods to avoid or consider an overhaul in your diet and food choices. That list can also mention the restaurants that serve healthier alternatives.

+ Make it a habit. Print that list and put several copies in different parts of your home so that you’ll be reminded why you are doing this difficult choice.

+ Acknowledge that this is a difficult process, so you may need the help of people around you and other support groups. 

If you find yourself having a hard time, or even failing or relapsing, you may consider seeking professional help. This can range from talking to psychologists to undergoing surgery.