Food addiction- anyone else?

NotJustADieter
NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
edited November 20 in Food and Nutrition
Addiction runs in my family- alcohol and drugs usually. So I avoided them. And I fell into the trap of food addiction in college. I'm working on pulling myself away from it, eating when I'm hungry, trying to control my portions (I can eat it some other time!), etc, but it is a struggle... is there anyone else struggling with this issue? I'd love support.

Replies

  • LovebugHiraeth
    LovebugHiraeth Posts: 18 Member
    ME. 100%. It is the bane of my existance
  • isulo_kura
    isulo_kura Posts: 818 Member
    This wont end well
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    @isulo_kura - how so?
  • Kman4evah
    Kman4evah Posts: 67 Member
    NotJustADieter wrote: »
    @isulo_kura - how so?
    There's a lot of people on here that think you can't be addicted to food.
    I personally think you can be addicted to pretty much anything if you do it enough. But unfortunately the only advice I could give you is to surround yourself with a good support base of friends and family and have them help keep you sane while you do it :p
    Good luck!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    NotJustADieter wrote: »
    @isulo_kura - how so?

    Mainly the fact that most people don't believe there is such a thing as food addiction. And that it shouldn't be used as a cop-out for your lack of self control.
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    @Kman4evah - I mean, there is solid physiological and psychological basis for the statement.... Whether you're calling it Binge Eating Disorder (which falls under EDNOS) or what, it is there and can be a form of expressing addictive tendencies.

    Problem with your advice for me tends to be that what should be the support base is the trigger.
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  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    KisforKrista wrote: »
    Personally i dont like when people compare binge eating disorder to their lack of self control.
    If you are concerned, talk to your doctor, don't self diagnose.

    We weren't talking about Binge Eating Disorder. We are talking about "food addiction".
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  • lenarashminraj
    lenarashminraj Posts: 53 Member
    I am in the same boat...I was addicted to desserts and chicken gravies..I stopeed cooking desserts, but being a food blogger sometimes I fell into it.. I need a person who helps me and support me.. I have 20 friends in my friendliest who never message or support..
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    edited June 2015
    @KisforKrista - Not self diagnosed, but nice try. Actually diagnosed, by my psychiatrist, with EDNOS, specifically BED or a food addiction. There is a legitimate chemical issue here, added to by my genetic predisposition towards addiction. And I love how you're saying that addiction is just a lack of self control...
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    KisforKrista wrote: »
    she mentioned it above, shes using the same research for BED as how she is feeling towards her food addiction, i just dont feel she should use it to self diagnose herself.

    Agreed. And if she has BED then she should be seeking council from a physician/specialist to help her.
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    edited June 2015
    @rainbowbow - I have a psychiatrist and a therapist. I am on anxiety medication. I was looking for others dealing with the same issue. This has been diagnosed in a clinical setting and I am seeking therapy- I was just hoping to find others dealing with the same issue. I also participate in AA and OA.
  • Kman4evah
    Kman4evah Posts: 67 Member
    Well, if you've been diagnosed with a disorder, do your friends know about it? If they do and they continue to be a burden in overcoming it, maybe you need a new set of friends (not get rid of the old ones, just find some new ones as well).
  • NotJustADieter
    NotJustADieter Posts: 229 Member
    @Kman4evah - I don't have many friends; recently graduated college and moved back home. College friends are everywhere but here. Boyfriend knows, but otherwise I'm on my own most of the time. The friends I do have aren't here.
  • MsJoisey
    MsJoisey Posts: 29 Member
    NotJustADieter wrote: »
    Addiction runs in my family- alcohol and drugs usually. So I avoided them. And I fell into the trap of food addiction in college. I'm working on pulling myself away from it, eating when I'm hungry, trying to control my portions (I can eat it some other time!), etc, but it is a struggle... is there anyone else struggling with this issue? I'd love support.

    Runs in mine as well, though just alcohol, so I understand what you're saying. You might want to check out the groups on here, as I believe there is one run by someone who is a member of Overeaters Anonymous. You might find the support you need there.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Here on the main forums may not be your best bet for support. You can try the groups. I did a quick browse and found this one: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1012-emotional-eating which may be close enough or someone there can point you in the right direction.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited June 2015
    Thank you for clarifying that you have BED. It makes me truly angry when people with self-control issues self-diagnose with "food addiction" and put themselves in the same category as those truly struggling, and I think some of them have posted on this thread.

    It might be helpful to join the group posted, and also to ask a mod to change your post title so that you only get replies from other people who have been diagnosed.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    edited June 2015
    Whether you call it an addiction, dependence, or disorder doesn't really matter. The result is the same. OCD people don't have an "addiction" to hand-washing or hoarding. Doesn't make it any easier to break. All addictions/dependences/disorders come down to self-control in the end.

    I have impulse control issues. Not terrible ones but definite ones. :)
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    MamaBirdBoss wrote: »
    Whether you call it an addiction, dependence, or disorder doesn't really matter. The result is the same. OCD people don't have an "addiction" to hand-washing or hoarding. Doesn't make it any easier to break.

    I have impulse control issues. Not terrible ones but definite ones. :)

    On the other hand (as someone who actually has OCD) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not curable. It can be treated and symptoms can be managed, but you cannot be "cured".
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    KisforKrista wrote: »
    Personally i dont like when people compare binge eating disorder to their lack of self control.
    If you are concerned, talk to your doctor, don't self diagnose.

    We weren't talking about Binge Eating Disorder. We are talking about "food addiction".

    I am a (recovering) binge eater, and the food does not control me, I control me. I dont believe in food addiction, I believe in eating disorders, bad habits, and f*cked up coping strategies.
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    NotJustADieter wrote: »
    @rainbowbow - I have a psychiatrist and a therapist. I am on anxiety medication. I was looking for others dealing with the same issue. This has been diagnosed in a clinical setting and I am seeking therapy- I was just hoping to find others dealing with the same issue. I also participate in AA and OA.

    I also take anxiety meds, and I find the process of overeating to be really soothing. Which sucks, BTW. But it isnt because the food is inherently addictive (like nicotine) its because somewhere along the line I equated feeling very full with feeling very calm.
  • elleelise
    elleelise Posts: 33 Member
    I was previously "addicted" to sweets and suffered from Binge Eating Disorder. Life was hell for 20 years, since 4th grade.

    The only way out of that dark tunnel is surrendering to the foods you are subconsciously villainizing and giving yourself open permission to eat as you crave while learning to love your body AS IS (yes, the fat included). It is a slow, hard process (much more challenging that doing a diet or calorie counting, especially for someone who was always on the diet cycle, binging and purging). I worked with an intuitive eating counselor, did a LOT of soul searching, gained weight and made peace with it, found contentment and lost fear around food, ate what I wanted, challenged societal conventions, and now, have a peaceful relationship with food. It IS possible.

    When you begin to love yourself unconditionally as-is, you will start to crave foods that nourish you. You will WANT to move around and exercise (not simply to burn calories). Intention and expectation are at the heart of everything.

    I have finally come full circle. I love myself, I don't crave sweets (why should I when I can eat them whenever I want?). I have started with a deficit and daily movement and am down 10 pounds. I have no destination or timeline in mind. I am happy in the process at this moment, and that's the difference. I am 231 pounds and I love each one of those. I don't need to be smaller to be happier. I don't need to hit a goal on the scale to feel validated. I don't need sweets to drown out the self hate.

    Dig deep. It's possible to get out of that hole, but you won't get out with a diet or restrictive eating.
  • runner1234b
    runner1234b Posts: 13 Member
    My advice is schedule things that you know will change what and how much you eat. For example a gym class at lunch or a movie at night out of the house. If you have things to do you won't binge or want to go out knowing you feel awful. It's about finding purpose.

    Also start slimming down your variety of foods.. Take away the options. The limited variety makes the cravings go away and brands your taste buds. Too much variety creates addiction. Kid in a candy shop=want all.
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