Food addiction

ChattySusan

Hey all, here is an excellent article about Food Addiction: http://authoritynutrition.com/how-to-overcome-food-addiction/

It makes perfect sense! I have started total abstinence from sugar, wheat and junk food. I have never felt so hopeful.

ForeverSunshine09

I personally have never struggled with food addiction. I have seen ppl who have but, I have one cheat day a week. I dont go out of control I think the most over I have eaten is 600 but it is usually closer to 200 or 300. Some ppl got on here not for addiction but because we just werent paying enough attention. Now that I am I have consistently lost weight every week. I have never suffered from binges so that isnt a problem.

minipony

Article from Kaiser: "The large amount of fat, sugar, and salt in processed foods changes your brain's chemistry to make you crave those foods. In fact, sugar and fat release the same chemicals in your brain involved in drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction."

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health/care/!ut/p/a0/FYtLDsIgFACvogcgrw0mUHcUywVcKOxeAAuxfEKIXl9ZzkwGDDzBZPzEHXssGY8_a-tz9-369XEPHR5gwLzr3WOzAfSrFHdC56Idw2i14Z4QdC7Eog1-OGw92sODZnKdBVeSsOnCyTxvE1koW8ltmajcViU2tUBNidMkzj_yqZJ2/

miriamtob

I'm convinced that food can be addictive. Why wouldn't that be in the realm of possibility? Here's a peer reviewed article, 75 citations to back it up: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2714381/
"Clinical and laboratory animal studies reveal similarities between overeating and drug addiction... ...Why do signs of opiate-like withdrawal emerge with sugar but not fat bingeing?"

rainbowbow

Humans were designed to feel rewarded and get a nice squirt of dopamine when eating fatty and sweet foods as well as having sex. This was to promote not only the lifespan of the species but also the diversity of the species. I have also read many studies on the matter as I have dealt with family members who had certain addictions. I have been told that the two above are HARD WIRED into the human species and we evolved to receive pleasure as a result.


NOW, even though that is the case, that does not mean that every pleasurable activity that we do IS an addiction.

When taking drugs, obviously the amount of dopamine released is SIGNIFICANTLY higher. You might say "well, OBVIOUSLY someone can be addicted to heroin". But other addictions do exist. People are addicted to things like video games, pornography, food, etc.

"Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health. Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others."

So, if someone genuinely has an addiction and isn't playing the whole "Omg guys, like, i just really love cake, and have no self control" card, then what's the big fuss?


Anyway, if you have a GENUINE addiction, you should be discussing this with a mental health professional. Most recommend to avoid the offending substance all together but many people facing addiction have problems doing so or will switch to other addictive behaviors.

Nony_Mouse

Hardenton wrote: »

navyrigger46 wrote: »

I have cheat meals about once a week, and I don't have any of those problems, especially the self loathing you mentioned. Maybe you should reexamine your relationship with food bro, it doesn't sound healthy.

Rigger

I've had disordered eating since my teen years, so my relationship with food is definitely not healthy. I think cheat meals are fine, as long as they don't lead to cheat days and you only eat as much as you plan on eating. The problem with cheat meals is once you start, it's hard to stop. Once the reward pathways are activated and the dopamine receptors are firing, your brain is gonna want more and more.

You're assuming that everyone is the same as you. That's like saying everyone who drinks is an alcoholic.

I had an excess of calories left over from last week, so had quite the little session with some garlic roasted peanuts last night. The other 800g remains in the kitchen cupboard and I have no desire whatsoever to break into them.