Fast Food Addiction - Can Anyone Else Relate?

Katherinelittle24 · March 2018

Random Thought:
Who here is addicted to fast food? Yesterday, I kind of cheated on my weight loss program and had Burger King for the first time in a while. Now, at that very moment it felt good to have a hamburger again but than later in the evening, I felt disgusting. I felt bloated, heavy, depressed and felt like I didn't want to work out at all. Honesty, since then, I have felt this desire to get more fast food, and even though I was full after I had a meal at Burger King, I still wanted more....that's how terrible my addiction is. Fast Food is the devil haha sorry don't need to be dramatic but for those that are addicted to food, I'm sure you will understand.

Long story short, since November of 2017, I've lost 52lbs. I have a long way to go but when I started my weight loss journey, I was 400lbs. I became highly addicted to fast food. Even though I love to cook and I love all of the healthy delicious foods, I ate fast food about four days a week at least and that's how I became so obese. I wanted fast food every day and yesterday, I got a glimpse of the old me and it kind of scared me because thinking about how much I've worked on myself since then, and how much I can easily gain the weight I loss because of my terrible food addiction. After I had fast food, my mind has been thinking about it ever since. Does anyone else get these thoughts as well?

malibu927 · March 2018

You aren't addicted, as fast food isn't an addicting substance. You just need to exercise some willpower.

I lost 65 pounds and still ate fast food. I just cut down from going after work on the weekends (both days, often) to once a week maximum, opting for smaller sandwiches and no fries (not worth the calories for what you get). It fits into my calories well.

Katherinelittle24 · March 2018

Thank you for commenting but please don't tell me that I'm not addicted. Fast food can be addictive. I did research on it, and a lot of research says it is. Some people can go and get fast food, and be fine like my boyfriend can. But other people, like me for instance, thinks about it constantly. Even the next day, I just ate a very nutritious breakfast full of protein but I am still craving that hamburger. So yes, for me it is an addiction. One that has take me months to break, and it's definitely a work of progress.

lemurcat12 · March 2018

I haven't really enjoyed fast food since I was a kid, just not my taste.

I'm interested if your diet in general is tasty and varied, for your taste. You mention it feeling good to have a hamburger again, which makes me wonder if you've had things like burgers off limits in general. I think a burger I make at home is often tastier than one I'd get out (I do on occasion get a burger at a pub or some other local place), and usually if I want a burger I'll be happy with a homemade option, which is often lower calories for more volume and you can pair it with vegetables and so on.

Often when we have the reaction of being obsessed with wanting something again, even if it wasn't that great, it's because they are on an "off-limits" list so seem enticing -- forbidden fruit and all that.

Maybe if you had some indulgences that you could make -- or even worked on not feeling guilty if you got a reasonable cal fast food meal and planned to have it once a month or every couple of weeks or so on you wouldn't think about it so much, since you could have it again later (just in the future).

The "not now, but later" thing has worked for me with some things I enjoy but had trouble moderating. Other things it's easier just to have rarely.

meganhirschi · March 2018

I relate my addiction is all carbs... I had spaghetti last night and spent the rest of the night wishing i had made more so there had been leftovers. Im still thinking about it and it makes me crazy.

fb47 · March 2018

Katherinelittle24 wrote: »

Thank you for commenting but please don't tell me that I'm not addicted. Fast food can be addictive. I did research on it, and a lot of research says it is. Some people can go and get fast food, and be fine like my boyfriend can. But other people, like me for instance, thinks about it constantly. Even the next day, I just ate a very nutritious breakfast full of protein but I am still craving that hamburger. So yes, for me it is an addiction. One that has take me months to break, and it's definitely a work of progress.

All I see is an excuse to give in. The problem is you don't know how to say no. That's the issue, the burger is not a problem. When I went on a cutting phase, I was still able to fit some junk food in my diet, but it also meant I had to go a few hours without eating because caloric wise, fast food cost a lot in terms of calories. Although, I felt hungry throughout those hours of not eating food, I had to find tricks to curb my hunger whether it's drinking caffeine, water, celery or even those 5 calories jello. My goal of getting lean was more important than what my body feels. If I listened to everything my body wanted, I would've never lost weight. In life, it's all about working towards your goals, if you're seriously about losing weight, then you have to apply some discipline to yourself, giving in is to easy.

If you really do have a hard time to say no, then just don't step inside any restaurant. Just buy food from the grocery store and make sure you eat only the food you buy. Make sure there is no element in place that will trigger something in you to go out and buy junk food. When there's a will, there's a way. Motivation is also another thing, people always look for motivation, but the real strength comes when a person still does what they have to do when they are not motivated. Let's face it, no human being is motivated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I hope you do succeed and wish you good luck in your fat loss journey. Just stop telling yourself that you can't.

AnvilHead · March 2018

Nobody here (or anywhere else) is addicted to fast food. Some may find it hyper-palatable and easy to overindulge on, but it has no symptoms of addiction and won’t cause physical withdrawal if you don’t have it.

orangegato · March 2018

Maybe you feel that you have a psychological addiction to it instead of a true physical addiction? Maybe there’s an underlying ED?

lemurcat12 · March 2018

meganhirschi wrote: »

I relate my addiction is all carbs... I had spaghetti last night and spent the rest of the night wishing i had made more so there had been leftovers. Im still thinking about it and it makes me crazy.

Usually no one wants plain spaghetti, though -- it's the combination of pasta and a sauce that normally has fat and protein in it. (Maybe I'm weird, but the sauce has always been the most important part of pasta for me, easily.)

johnwelk · March 2018

Katherinelittle24 wrote: »

Thank you for commenting but please don't tell me that I'm not addicted. Fast food can be addictive. I did research on it, and a lot of research says it is. Some people can go and get fast food, and be fine like my boyfriend can. But other people, like me for instance, thinks about it constantly. Even the next day, I just ate a very nutritious breakfast full of protein but I am still craving that hamburger. So yes, for me it is an addiction. One that has take me months to break, and it's definitely a work of progress.

To the bolded. No, it's not addictive. But I'll play along, please post this "research" you've done. Peer reviewed journal articles only, no links to pseudoscienctific quack websites.

malibu927 · March 2018

lemurcat12 wrote: »

meganhirschi wrote: »

I relate my addiction is all carbs... I had spaghetti last night and spent the rest of the night wishing i had made more so there had been leftovers. Im still thinking about it and it makes me crazy.

Usually no one wants plain spaghetti, though -- it's the combination of pasta and a sauce that normally has fat and protein in it. (Maybe I'm weird, but the sauce has always been the most important part of pasta for me, easily.)

Yep. Even at my largest I couldn't finish the spaghetti, but always made sure the sauce and meatballs were gone

novamagma · March 2018

Not that anyone should have to do y'alls research for you, but sure. Here's one peer-reviewed journal since that's so important, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23942659_Fast_Food_Addiction_and_Market_Power, "There is evidence from medical research that the nutrients in fast food are inherently addictive (Colantuoni et al., 2002; Grigson, 2002; Del Parigi et al., 2003). Some research suggests fast food firms have learned to exploit this fact in the design and pricing of their products (Drewnowski and Darmon, 2005; White et al., 2002)." Or from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20648909, "One of the interesting new hypotheses for epidemic obesity is food addiction, which is associated with both substance-related disorder and eating disorder. Accumulating evidences have shown that there are many shared neural and hormonal pathways as well as distinct differences that may help researchers find why certain individuals overeat and become obese."

Read them for yourselves if you want to debate the science, but stop acting like she has no idea what she's talking about. Fast food, as well as many types of processed foods and sugars are incredibly dangerous. And just because it may not affect you personally doesn't mean no one else will be.

Addictions can be managed just like anything else. But sometimes it's not as simple as just "stop making excuses."

novamagma · March 2018

Katherinelittle24 wrote: »

Random Thought:
Who here is addicted to fast food? Yesterday, I kind of cheated on my weight loss program and had Burger King for the first time in a while. Now, at that very moment it felt good to have a hamburger again but than later in the evening, I felt disgusting. I felt bloated, heavy, depressed and felt like I didn't want to work out at all. Honesty, since then, I have felt this desire to get more fast food, and even though I was full after I had a meal at Burger King, I still wanted more....that's how terrible my addiction is. Fast Food is the devil haha sorry don't need to be dramatic but for those that are addicted to food, I'm sure you will understand.

Long story short, since November of 2017, I've lost 52lbs. I have a long way to go but when I started my weight loss journey, I was 400lbs. I became highly addicted to fast food. Even though I love to cook and I love all of the healthy delicious foods, I ate fast food about four days a week at least and that's how I became so obese. I wanted fast food every day and yesterday, I got a glimpse of the old me and it kind of scared me because thinking about how much I've worked on myself since then, and how much I can easily gain the weight I loss because of my terrible food addiction. After I had fast food, my mind has been thinking about it ever since. Does anyone else get these thoughts as well?

To answer your original topic, lol, I can definitely relate. It's so frustrating even though I love fresh food and preparing it myself, things like Mcdonalds burgers will almost always break my better habits, even though I always feel like crap after. The fact that everything is swimming in msg I bet really can't help.

Good on you for losing so much! You've come so far, one small relapse won't ruin any of the progress you've made

DomesticKat · March 2018

lemurcat12 wrote: »

Usually no one wants plain spaghetti, though -- it's the combination of pasta and a sauce that normally has fat and protein in it. (Maybe I'm weird, but the sauce has always been the most important part of pasta for me, easily.)

I was a weird, picky kid and would totally eat plain pasta. I still eat plain pasta now, but I'm not picky anymore. I just love me some carby goodness. Still down almost 50lbs. and counting.

XxQueenMxX · March 2018

Tbh, idk if there is such thing as a fast food addiction, Although loving food soooo much is definitely a thing lol. But I do agree there is an underlying issue for that "addiction" feeling you have. You've lost a big amount of lbs already! That is something to be so proud of. Don't look back!!! It's a long hard journey but I promise the end result will be much more rewarding!! Hang in there. Good luck!

psychod787 · March 2018

Ok let's think about this. I go to the idea that fast food is not addictive per se, but as anvil stated has been made hyperpalitable beyond what the human body was ever meant to take. Companies have paid many, many, dollars to research companies to find the perfect bliss point. The perfect ratios of sugar, fat, and salt. All three things as humans we crave. I will not disagree that these hyperpalitable foods do cause the release of dopamine, but not truly addictive. I would be willing to wager that if someone were starving, a big bowel of broccoli would set off the same neirochemicals. So to rap it up IMHO, pleasurable, yes. Addictive, not in the true meaning of the word. I have taken care of people who were withdrawing from heroin. That's true addiction. Would you sell your kid for a big mac?

GaleHawkins · March 2018

Katherinelittle24 wrote: »

Thank you for commenting but please don't tell me that I'm not addicted. Fast food can be addictive. I did research on it, and a lot of research says it is. Some people can go and get fast food, and be fine like my boyfriend can. But other people, like me for instance, thinks about it constantly. Even the next day, I just ate a very nutritious breakfast full of protein but I am still craving that hamburger. So yes, for me it is an addiction. One that has take me months to break, and it's definitely a work of progress.

@Katherinelittle24 many of us have been there and understand the addictive nature of some foods. While I still eat at McDonald's often I just leave off the stuff that contains carbs. In fact for pain management I stopped eating food containing added sugar and any form of any grain Oct 2014 and still am eating this way today automatically.

While we are all different this has worked well for me for over 3 years now with only positive side effects. In my case as long as I eat this way the cravings leading to binging on sweets high in carbs/fats stay away. My carb addiction may not be cured but this Way Of Eating fully resolves the binging on sweets and the associated health problems. The 50 pounds that I lost early on has not been regained for the first time in 40 years and I eat until I am stuffed. I do not binge because I now get 'full' and would gag to eat more. It is like my fuel gauge went back to working after getting off of highly processed foods.

In the end the opinion of others do not count but only what that works for you. The best way to eat I have found is the way that works well for me and let others do the same.

Thanks for sharing your story.

candylilacs · March 2018

It's carbs and sugar! Can it not be addictive?

psychod787 · March 2018

candylilacs wrote: »

It's carbs and sugar! Can it not be addictive?

Don't forget... tons and tons of fat! Loom at the macro breakdowns of a big mac! Something like 50% of calorie are coming from fat. Nothing wrong with fat, but eat lots of it in the presence of lots of carbs, which you are correct are in most fast food, carbs get burned, fat gets stored.

lemurcat12 · March 2018

Yeah, fast food is more notable for the fat than anything else, on average (depends on the meal). Not really much sugar in a burger and fries, although there's fat, carbs, and protein.

My "if nothing else is available" fast food default is probably Chipotle (black beans and brown rice with fajita, lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce) -- not really more sugar or carbs than a similar thing I might make at home, so not sure how it's more addictive.

The main difference between a McD's burger and fries from a burger you make at home with vegetables on the side (and maybe roasted potatoes, although personally I wouldn't have potatoes AND a bun) is the amount of fat, and the amount of salt, although you can make a homemade burger with as much fat and salt, of course.

seltzermint555 · March 2018

I think it sounds like more of a psychological problem, this "fast food addiction". Yes to the concept of hyperpalatable foods, but not actual addiction.

I also wonder if it's a case of being too strict? Very curious if you are eating enough protein and good fats in your diet for example. 52 lb is a wonderful loss and something to be extremely proud of. However, if you're too strict it could derail you from time to time...

(FWIW, I started at 300+ and lost almost 50% of my body weight and have maintained for several years. I still eat fast food at least once a week, always have. And I still crave it like mad at times - especially when I drastically restrict fat & sugar and when I am low on protein).

johnwelk · March 2018

novamagma wrote: »

Not that anyone should have to do y'alls research for you

Not sure if you know how this works. OP made the claim that fast food addiction it's real and has done the research, therefore it's up to her to provide the evidence to back up her claim. So we'alls don't have any research to do, she does. Got it?

Here's one peer-reviewed journal since that's so important

Yeah, call me crazy, but I think proving your claim with peer reviewed research is important.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23942659_Fast_Food_Addiction_and_Market_Power, "There is evidence from medical research that the nutrients in fast food are inherently addictive (Colantuoni et al., 2002; Grigson, 2002; Del Parigi et al., 2003). Some research suggests fast food firms have learned to exploit this fact in the design and pricing of their products (Drewnowski and Darmon, 2005; White et al., 2002)."

Did you actually read this study? Im guessing not. Because it doesn't prove that fast food addiction exists. So exactly what do you think this study proves? Did you read the above three citations referenced in the study? Again, I'm guessing not. The Colantuoni study is done on rats, The Grigson citation is a discussion, not a study, and it's behind a paywall, Del Parigi doesn't prove that fast food addiction exists either.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20648909, "One of the interesting new hypotheses for epidemic obesity is food addiction, which is associated with both substance-related disorder and eating disorder. Accumulating evidences have shown that there are many shared neural and hormonal pathways as well as distinct differences that may help researchers find why certain individuals overeat and become obese."

See the word I bolded? You may want to Google it and see what it means. Then get back to us if you still think this somehow proves that fast food addiction exists.

Read them for yourselves

You should read them also, if you did you wouldn't have posted them as evidence of fast food addiction.

but stop acting like she has no idea what she's talking about.

She doesn't, and either do you.

Fast food, as well as many types of processed foods and sugars are incredibly dangerous.

Umm... wrong.

Addictions can be managed just like anything else. But sometimes it's not as simple as just "stop making excuses."

Managing real addiction, such as heroine and alcohol, is incredibly diffucult. Managing fake addictions, such as sugar and fast food, is as simple as "stop making excuses".

AnvilHead · March 2018

johnwelk wrote: »

novamagma wrote: »

Not that anyone should have to do y'alls research for you

Not sure if you know how this works. OP made the claim that fast food addiction it's real and has done the research, therefore it's up to her to provide the evidence to back up her claim. So we'alls don't have any research to do, she does. Got it?

Here's one peer-reviewed journal since that's so important

Yeah, call me crazy, but I think proving your claim with peer reviewed research is important.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23942659_Fast_Food_Addiction_and_Market_Power, "There is evidence from medical research that the nutrients in fast food are inherently addictive (Colantuoni et al., 2002; Grigson, 2002; Del Parigi et al., 2003). Some research suggests fast food firms have learned to exploit this fact in the design and pricing of their products (Drewnowski and Darmon, 2005; White et al., 2002)."

Did you actually read this study? Im guessing not. Because it doesn't prove that fast food addiction exists. So exactly what do you think this study proves? Did you read the above three citations referenced in the study? Again, I'm guessing not. The Colantuoni study is done on rats, The Grigson citation is a discussion, not a study, and it's behind a paywall, Del Parigi doesn't prove that fast food addiction exists either.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20648909, "One of the interesting new hypotheses for epidemic obesity is food addiction, which is associated with both substance-related disorder and eating disorder. Accumulating evidences have shown that there are many shared neural and hormonal pathways as well as distinct differences that may help researchers find why certain individuals overeat and become obese."

See the word I bolded? You may want to Google it and see what it means. Then get back to us if you still think this somehow proves that fast food addiction exists.

Read them for yourselves

You should read them also, if you did you wouldn't have posted them as evidence of fast food addiction.

but stop acting like she has no idea what she's talking about.

She doesn't, and either do you.

Fast food, as well as many types of processed foods and sugars are incredibly dangerous.

Umm... wrong.

Addictions can be managed just like anything else. But sometimes it's not as simple as just "stop making excuses."

Managing real addiction, such as heroine and alcohol, is incredibly diffucult. Managing fake addictions, such as sugar and fast food, is as simple as "stop making excuses".

Posts like this are where I miss having the "awesome" button.

AnvilHead · March 2018

candylilacs wrote: »

It's carbs and sugar! Can it not be addictive?

1) Sugar is carbs. And all carbs are eventually metabolized into simple sugars in the body.

2) Sugar is not addictive: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28330706

3) Fast foods are often very high in fat as are a lot of "treat" or "junk" foods. Why isn't fat getting the bad rap for being evil and addictive and fattening? Oh yeah, I forgot - because the keto fad.

Cbean08 · March 2018

Having struggled with severe anorexia myself, I don't want to discount your struggles. I do think that disordered thoughts and feelings around food exist but I don't think addiction in the right word. If you feel that you might have a disordered relationship with food, please seek professional help.

1houndgal · March 2018

Katherinelittle24 wrote: »

Random Thought:
Who here is addicted to fast food? Yesterday, I kind of cheated on my weight loss program and had Burger King for the first time in a while. Now, at that very moment it felt good to have a hamburger again but than later in the evening, I felt disgusting. I felt bloated, heavy, depressed and felt like I didn't want to work out at all. Honesty, since then, I have felt this desire to get more fast food, and even though I was full after I had a meal at Burger King, I still wanted more....that's how terrible my addiction is. Fast Food is the devil haha sorry don't need to be dramatic but for those that are addicted to food, I'm sure you will understand.

Long story short, since November of 2017, I've lost 52lbs. I have a long way to go but when I started my weight loss journey, I was 400lbs. I became highly addicted to fast food. Even though I love to cook and I love all of the healthy delicious foods, I ate fast food about four days a week at least and that's how I became so obese. I wanted fast food every day and yesterday, I got a glimpse of the old me and it kind of scared me because thinking about how much I've worked on myself since then, and how much I can easily gain the weight I loss because of my terrible food addiction. After I had fast food, my mind has been thinking about it ever since. Does anyone else get these thoughts as well?

You might want to look into overeaters anonymous. Food addiction is real. Congratulations on your weight loss.

novamagma · March 2018

Johnwelk, sorry didn't realize that one was behind a paywall, I used my school's journal search so I had access. And yes I did read it, no I did not say anything was proven, but my issue was that everyone was discounting what she said without having any actual reason to other than that she wasn't 'trying hard enough.'

Fast food in manufactured to be addictive, not saying that addiction is going to be on the same level as things such as drug or alcohol addiction, but it's something we need to take into consideration before jumping straight to the "wow not enough willpower I guess"-mentality.

psychod787 · March 2018

OP... I can relate to your struggle. I believe many of us obese in hopeful long term recovery do. If it de-rails your goals, dump it. If you can enjoy without having issues than do. I used to eat FF at least 3 times a week several years ago, now very rarely. Fast, or hyperpalitable foods in general just, might just be like a terrible relationship. They make you feel good for a moment, then afterwards you feel "dirty". Congrats on the we weight loss. Keep up the fight. Feel free to message me if I can do anything for you.

paperpudding · March 2018

I agree there are ED's and some people have difficulty restricting foods and there are individual trigger foods for some people and there are behavioural issues - that doesnt make there be an addiction though.

i actually think it is quite trivialising to real physical addictions like opiates,alcohol, nicotine to say this

and yes there is an organisation called Over eaters Anonymous - but I notice they do not refer to food addiction either

In their own words "Overeaters Anonymous (OA) 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. .......
Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer.
OA caters for all who have a problem with their eating, such as compulsive overeaters, anorexics and bulimics."

dsboohead · March 2018

malibu927 wrote: »

You aren't addicted, as fast food isn't an addicting substance. You just need to exercise some willpower.

I lost 65 pounds and still ate fast food. I just cut down from going after work on the weekends (both days, often) to once a week maximum, opting for smaller sandwiches and no fries (not worth the calories for what you get). It fits into my calories well.

Yup me too....listen to malibu! Self control not addiction!

WinoGelato · March 2018

OP I know this is going to be hard but try not to get so defensive at what people are telling you.

You aren't addicted to fast food, because fast food, isn't one thing. Even if it were one thing, there isn't a single food, or ingredient, that is physically addictive, in the way that nicotine, caffeine, opiates, etc are addictive.

That said, a lot of people have strong emotional connections to certain foods, or certain situations. If you recall with fondness, a time when you used to eat fast food with abandon, with no regard to calories or impact on your weight, then it's possible when you do indulge in an old habit, that you feel compelled to over do it. Again, that doesn't make fast food addictive. You find it tasty, and difficult to moderate. You need to decide if you want to learn to moderate fast food, or other foods that you've cut out for your current plan, or if you're fine with restricting them forever, or for the foreseeable future.

A lot of people, when they decide to lose weight - take an extreme approach. They dramatically overhaul their diet (noun) in order to cut calories, eat healthier foods, take on an exercise program, etc. Some people do those things in small steps, some go big all at once. A lot of it is very dependent on the individual whether an extreme approach will be successful or more of a modest approach is sustainable in the long term. With regards to trigger foods, some people find that it's easier to avoid temptation if they cut them out completely. Some find that cutting out foods they really enjoy makes them want them even more, so trying to cut them out sets up binge restrict cycles or yo yo dieting.

You have to decide for yourself what the best long term strategy for you is, but I encourage you to look at the plan you've put together.... you said you cook and enjoy tasty foods, and that's great! Have you cut out too much of one thing - carbs, or fats, or sweets - such that you do feel tempted to indulge in fast food? Would a burger cooked at home with lean ground beef or turkey, toppings and oven baked fries been sufficient for your craving? Do you eat those sorts of things at home on your current plan?

Calling it an addiction to fast food, in my opinion, clouds your ability to understand the root cause of your issues with why you overindulged. If you even did overindulge, reading your OP it sounds like you had a burger and wanted another later. Did you give in? Have the cravings subsided now? Because I imagine a burger from BK is able to fit in your calories, and if you enjoyed it in the moment, maybe just focus on losing the feelings of guilt and trying to understand why you felt tempted so soon afterwards and how you're going to deal with that in the future.

Good luck.

Fast Food Addiction - Can Anyone Else Relate?

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