Do I have an addiction to food? Yes.

It would be easier if we did have an addiction to something like that. Those you can live forever with out them but food. You have to have everyday!!!!! It's so much more then just saying no

From the OA website http://www.oa.org/newcomers/is-oa-for-you/


Are You a Compulsive Overeater?

Now that you have found Overeaters Anonymous, you may want to make sure our program is right for you. Many of us have found it useful to answer the following questions to help determine if we have a problem with compulsive eating.

Do I eat when I’m not hungry, or not eat when my body needs nourishment?
Do I go on eating binges for no apparent reason, sometimes eating until I’m stuffed or even feel sick?
Do I have feelings of guilt, shame or embarrassment about my weight or the way I eat?
Do I eat sensibly in front of others and then make up for it when I am alone?
Is my eating affecting my health or the way I live my life?
When my emotions are intense—whether positive or negative—do I find myself reaching for food?
Do my eating behaviors make me or others unhappy?
Have I ever used laxatives, vomiting, diuretics, excessive exercise, diet pills, shots or other medical interventions (including surgery) to try to control my weight?
Do I fast or severely restrict my food intake to control my weight?
Do I fantasize about how much better life would be if I were a different size or weight?
Do I need to chew or have something in my mouth all the time: food, gum, mints, candies or beverages?
Have I ever eaten food that is burned, frozen or spoiled; from containers in the grocery store; or out of the garbage?
Are there certain foods I can’t stop eating after having the first bite?
Have I lost weight with a diet or “period of control” only to be followed by bouts of uncontrolled eating and/or weight gain?
Do I spend too much time thinking about food, arguing with myself about whether or what to eat, planning the next diet or exercise cure, or counting calories?

Have you answered “yes” to several of these questions? If so, it is possible that you have, or are well on your way to having, a compulsive eating or overeating problem.

We have found that the way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the Twelve-Step recovery program of Overeaters Anonymous. Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. We welcome everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting through our own contributions, neither soliciting nor accepting outside donations. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine; we take no position on outside issues. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.

Is OA for You?

Only you can decide that question. No one else can make this decision for you. We who are now in OA have found a way of life which enables us to live without the need for excess food. We believe that compulsive eating is a progressive illness, one that, like alcoholism and some other illnesses, can be arrested. Remember, there is no shame in admitting you have a problem; the most important thing is to do something about it.

I did feel like I was addicted to food when I was starting to control my eating, it consumed my thoughts. The thing is, I let myself eat the bad stuff, but just controlled portioning. And chose not to bring home pre-made, easily accessible bad food. If I want bad food, I need to cook it myself or bake it. But of course would still allow myself to eat out once or twice a week. But I made sure I was accountable for the food I ate, not hiding it away ashamed.

Exercising allows me to eat bad every so often so i'm still losing weight. If you're like me, you just have to get over that hump of "feeling" addicted to the food, once you have it under control, it doesn't control you anymore. Just know that you can have bad food whenever you want, it's not unattainable and you won't feel like you have to overindulge every time bad food is nearby.

And learn to cook the food you love so you can control what goes into your body and don't feel you have to buy something pre-made to satisfy you.

Hope that helps.

Although I was addicted to a pattern of stuffing myself to the point of misery and hating myself for it (surprisingly comforting), I don't think I was addicted to food in and of itself.

I have been attending Celebrate Recovery for my food addiction. It's a recovery program for anyone struggling with hurts, hang ups, and habits of any kind. You can do an online search to see if there's one near you. It has really helped me get a handle on the emotional aspects behind my food issues. Like how I binge for comfort and starve as punishment. I've really make a lot of progress. I'm using MFP as a way to journal and hold myself accountable.