Food addiction

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Replies

  • Azexas
    Azexas Posts: 4,334 Member
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.

    I'm surprised there is a degree in food addiction. I tried googling it and nothing came up. What exactly is involved in a food addiction degree.
  • This content has been removed.
  • lol I meant to say struggled with food addiction.

    Degree in nutrition. Didn't even notice I wrote that, my apologies, although I did take some classes on disordered eating.

    I know a lot of psychologists and MD's that consider food an addiction, some that don't. Since I have personally struggled with it I consider it an addiction and I feel sympathy for people in the same boat because you eat to live, it is really tough to kick, and it can ruin lives.

    Although they do have food addiction professions where you usually need a joint-degree in psychology and nutrition, although I don't have that.
  • MrM27 wrote: »
    Where exactly does one get a degree in food addiction?

    probably an RD and a masters in psychology would be how you could get into the field, at least that is what my professor who only worked with disordered eating did.

  • RebelDiamond
    RebelDiamond Posts: 188 Member
    Hardenton wrote: »
    Unless you don't mind gaining back a few pounds, having water retention, digestive problems, feeling like crap and hating yourself for a few days every month, then go ahead and have your "cheat day"

    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

    Same here.

    I keep my calorie intake bang on for the rest of the week and allow myself a cheat meal or two a week for birthdays/dinners out with friends. No self loathing involved, maybe a little bloating but hey, I'm a woman, we deal with that BS all the time...
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    edited March 2015
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.


    First off, how is linking abstracts that themselves discuss the theory of food as and addiction as "proven time and time again?"

    Here's an article arguing that it's at best "eating addiction" focusing on the behavior rather than the food itself.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140

    Secondly... you have a degree in food addiction? Seems made up.


    Ok, reply away with inanity, I'm going to bed now. Because I am addicted to it. I feel compelled to do it every night and I have withdrawals when I don't do it.

    Yes you should make fun of people who severely struggle with food problems.

    The thing is that nearly everyone on this board has struggled with food problems. Why do you think the majority of people are here trying to lose weight? Most of us have just learned how to manage them, and it was not without effort believe me. I also labeled myself as a food addict for years. I would binge and overeat until I was in pain, and I got to nearly 300 pounds doing so. It wasn't until recently, about the last year or so, that I realized it's not truly an addiction, never was. It's behavioral and can be managed, but you have to WANT to change, and I mean really want to change not just say you do, and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Having "cheat days" is not having a healthy relationship with food IMO. I don't have cheat days. I work what I want into my calories, and if I can't have it one day then I have it another. Do I occasionally go over on calories? Yes, but I don't call it a cheat day. That would imply that I did something wrong or that certain foods are bad.

  • jnv7594 wrote: »
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.


    First off, how is linking abstracts that themselves discuss the theory of food as and addiction as "proven time and time again?"

    Here's an article arguing that it's at best "eating addiction" focusing on the behavior rather than the food itself.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140

    Secondly... you have a degree in food addiction? Seems made up.


    Ok, reply away with inanity, I'm going to bed now. Because I am addicted to it. I feel compelled to do it every night and I have withdrawals when I don't do it.

    Yes you should make fun of people who severely struggle with food problems.

    The thing is that nearly everyone on this board has struggled with food problems. Why do you think the majority of people are here trying to lose weight? Most of us have just learned how to manage them, and it was not without effort believe me. I also labeled myself as a food addict for years. I would binge and overeat until I was in pain, and I got to nearly 300 pounds doing so. It wasn't until recently, about the last year or so, that I realized it's not truly an addiction, never was. It's behavioral and can be managed, but you have to WANT to change, and I mean really want to change not just say you do, and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Having "cheat days" is not having a healthy relationship with food IMO. I don't have cheat days. I work what I want into my calories, and if I can't have it one day then I have it another. Do I occasionally go over on calories? Yes, but I don't call it a cheat day. That would imply that I did something wrong or that certain foods are bad.

    Some have struggled worse than others and I think people who can't relate are dismissive and that seems insensitive to me. You say it can be managed, so can any addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts can change under the same premise, if they WANT to change. If they aren't committed they will relapse.

    I'm not saying one should claim food addiction and avoid blame for their behavior but biology and mental health plays a huge role with food. For some people it is just convenient to eat fast food, for others it is an obsessive compulsion that interferes with their life and well-being.
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    edited March 2015
    jnv7594 wrote: »
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.


    First off, how is linking abstracts that themselves discuss the theory of food as and addiction as "proven time and time again?"

    Here's an article arguing that it's at best "eating addiction" focusing on the behavior rather than the food itself.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140

    Secondly... you have a degree in food addiction? Seems made up.


    Ok, reply away with inanity, I'm going to bed now. Because I am addicted to it. I feel compelled to do it every night and I have withdrawals when I don't do it.

    Yes you should make fun of people who severely struggle with food problems.

    The thing is that nearly everyone on this board has struggled with food problems. Why do you think the majority of people are here trying to lose weight? Most of us have just learned how to manage them, and it was not without effort believe me. I also labeled myself as a food addict for years. I would binge and overeat until I was in pain, and I got to nearly 300 pounds doing so. It wasn't until recently, about the last year or so, that I realized it's not truly an addiction, never was. It's behavioral and can be managed, but you have to WANT to change, and I mean really want to change not just say you do, and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Having "cheat days" is not having a healthy relationship with food IMO. I don't have cheat days. I work what I want into my calories, and if I can't have it one day then I have it another. Do I occasionally go over on calories? Yes, but I don't call it a cheat day. That would imply that I did something wrong or that certain foods are bad.

    Some have struggled worse than others and I think people who can't relate are dismissive and that seems insensitive to me. You say it can be managed, so can any addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts can change under the same premise, if they WANT to change. If they aren't committed they will relapse.

    I'm not saying one should claim food addiction and avoid blame for their behavior but biology and mental health plays a huge role with food. For some people it is just convenient to eat fast food, for others it is an obsessive compulsion that interferes with their life and well-being.

    We'll just have to agree to disagree then. Like I said, I work in a drug treatment facility. I see those men struggle day in and day out. It's not the same at all IMO. I can relate just fine with people with food issues. I've had an unhealthy relationship with food nearly my whole life. I just don't believe it's an addiction.

  • jnv7594 wrote: »
    jnv7594 wrote: »
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.


    First off, how is linking abstracts that themselves discuss the theory of food as and addiction as "proven time and time again?"

    Here's an article arguing that it's at best "eating addiction" focusing on the behavior rather than the food itself.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140

    Secondly... you have a degree in food addiction? Seems made up.


    Ok, reply away with inanity, I'm going to bed now. Because I am addicted to it. I feel compelled to do it every night and I have withdrawals when I don't do it.

    Yes you should make fun of people who severely struggle with food problems.

    The thing is that nearly everyone on this board has struggled with food problems. Why do you think the majority of people are here trying to lose weight? Most of us have just learned how to manage them, and it was not without effort believe me. I also labeled myself as a food addict for years. I would binge and overeat until I was in pain, and I got to nearly 300 pounds doing so. It wasn't until recently, about the last year or so, that I realized it's not truly an addiction, never was. It's behavioral and can be managed, but you have to WANT to change, and I mean really want to change not just say you do, and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Having "cheat days" is not having a healthy relationship with food IMO. I don't have cheat days. I work what I want into my calories, and if I can't have it one day then I have it another. Do I occasionally go over on calories? Yes, but I don't call it a cheat day. That would imply that I did something wrong or that certain foods are bad.

    Some have struggled worse than others and I think people who can't relate are dismissive and that seems insensitive to me. You say it can be managed, so can any addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts can change under the same premise, if they WANT to change. If they aren't committed they will relapse.

    I'm not saying one should claim food addiction and avoid blame for their behavior but biology and mental health plays a huge role with food. For some people it is just convenient to eat fast food, for others it is an obsessive compulsion that interferes with their life and well-being.

    We'll just have to agree to disagree then. Like I said, I work in a drug treatment facility. I see those men struggle day in and day out. It's not the same at all IMO. I can relate just fine with people with food issues. I've had an unhealthy relationship with food nearly my whole life. I just don't believe it's an addiction.

    Well I was able to give up drugs quite easily but not fatty foods, we all have our own struggles.
  • jnv7594
    jnv7594 Posts: 983 Member
    edited March 2015
    jnv7594 wrote: »
    jnv7594 wrote: »
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2012.662092#.VPU7oV2N1b1

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1038/oby.2003.68/full

    I too have a degree in nutrition and food addiction.

    I smoked cigarettes for 15 years and quit cold turkey no problem but not eating junk food was the hardest thing I've ever done. I won't get into details, but I have done very addictive drugs for years and gave that up without a single withdrawl. If you say comparing food addiction to a "real addiction" is silly it is because you don't struggle from it, not because it isn't real.


    First off, how is linking abstracts that themselves discuss the theory of food as and addiction as "proven time and time again?"

    Here's an article arguing that it's at best "eating addiction" focusing on the behavior rather than the food itself.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140

    Secondly... you have a degree in food addiction? Seems made up.


    Ok, reply away with inanity, I'm going to bed now. Because I am addicted to it. I feel compelled to do it every night and I have withdrawals when I don't do it.

    Yes you should make fun of people who severely struggle with food problems.

    The thing is that nearly everyone on this board has struggled with food problems. Why do you think the majority of people are here trying to lose weight? Most of us have just learned how to manage them, and it was not without effort believe me. I also labeled myself as a food addict for years. I would binge and overeat until I was in pain, and I got to nearly 300 pounds doing so. It wasn't until recently, about the last year or so, that I realized it's not truly an addiction, never was. It's behavioral and can be managed, but you have to WANT to change, and I mean really want to change not just say you do, and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Having "cheat days" is not having a healthy relationship with food IMO. I don't have cheat days. I work what I want into my calories, and if I can't have it one day then I have it another. Do I occasionally go over on calories? Yes, but I don't call it a cheat day. That would imply that I did something wrong or that certain foods are bad.

    Some have struggled worse than others and I think people who can't relate are dismissive and that seems insensitive to me. You say it can be managed, so can any addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts can change under the same premise, if they WANT to change. If they aren't committed they will relapse.

    I'm not saying one should claim food addiction and avoid blame for their behavior but biology and mental health plays a huge role with food. For some people it is just convenient to eat fast food, for others it is an obsessive compulsion that interferes with their life and well-being.

    We'll just have to agree to disagree then. Like I said, I work in a drug treatment facility. I see those men struggle day in and day out. It's not the same at all IMO. I can relate just fine with people with food issues. I've had an unhealthy relationship with food nearly my whole life. I just don't believe it's an addiction.

    Well I was able to give up drugs quite easily but not fatty foods, we all have our own struggles.



    Then count yourself lucky. I have yet to meet someone who is truly a drug addict that said getting clean and staying clean was easy. Actually, that's a pretty dismissive attitude you have as well if you want to throw that word around.

  • ChattySusan
    ChattySusan Posts: 4 Member
    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
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    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
    minipony Posts: 194 Member
    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
    miriamtob Posts: 436 Member
    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
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    edited March 2015
    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
    Nony_Mouse Posts: 5,646 Member
    Hardenton 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.
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