Food addiction. One extreme or the other

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  • lorrainequiche59
    lorrainequiche59 Posts: 900 Member
    @Liana_ish and @shaf238 I'm confused as to what your private little chat in a public forum is contributing to this thread...am I missing something? Just curious!

    Anyway, I could have written the opening comments also. One thing I've learned about addiction is that the addiction is only a symptom of an underlying problem...get to the underlying problem and THEN you can work on controlling/eliminating the addiction. It's more than what, how much, etc etc we put in our mouth...The question is, "what is driving us to do that... ?".... something we KNOW quite clearly is unhealthy!! It's not as much what your eating as it is "what's eating you?" Obviously, it isn't 'just' losing the weight because, people lose weight all the time, it's 'keeping it off' that is the issue because the underlying issue is not being addressed....I think it is WAY more complex than calories in/out...there are emotional & psychological components that are at the root of many of our food addictions.

    Interestingly, I was hunting for an emotional eaters group & came across this thread...thank you for examining this issue and sharing your experience...I get the whole not feeling "normal" thing for sure. It is like an obsession that won't shut off.....some really good suggestions here though.
  • Berkgal33
    Berkgal33 Posts: 71 Member
    This post is me. EXACTLY. I have lost 100 pounds TWICE, 50 at least twice, and 30 pounds more times than I can remember! I started to fall off the wagon about 6 months ago, and I really struggled to maintain, but now I am about 35 pounds heavier. I am grateful I managed to stop the decline before I regained all 100 pounds, but alternately I am angry about losing control. I think about food all the time. My sister suggested Bright Line eating (she is doing) but that is FAR too restrictive for me. I have a disrespect for any eating plan that forbids certain foods forever. So I am back on myfitnesspal, 3 weeks and counting, and am doing well. I find keeping myself HONEST about what I am eating, logging it, helps me eat in moderation. If I want a treat I exercise a bit more. I have stayed away from gym while I get my eating back under control. I am very hungry when I work out. Heading back soon. Good luck and feel free to add me as a friend. I GET IT.
  • stephaniezinone
    stephaniezinone Posts: 22 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    I used to call myself a chocoholic and believed I was addicted to sugar. It seemed that way, because I would constantly hoard and sneak and crave and overeat and lose control and gain weight. I too felt proud whenever I buckled down and started exercising and losing weight. This went on for many years, until something clicked. I realised I was sick of the stressful lifestyle, not just of being fat.
    • I realised that the fearmongering, possibly well intended to make us eat healthily, had backfired. I had become afraid of good taste and mouthfeel, but that is something we need, and we are always reminded of the things we like so there is no escape.
    • I realised that no foods are in themselves healthy or unhealthy. All foods provide something, in different amounts and proportions. A healthy diet is enough of all I need every day, and not too much of anything over time. A healthy diet is balanced and varied.
    • I realised that I can eat enough, and food I like. When I feel I can eat enough, and food I like, the urge to eat too much, dissipates.
    • I realised that what I like, is a lot up to what I'm used to. Real food has real taste now that my tastebuds aren't numbed by too much sugar, fat, salt and flavor enhancers.
    • I realised that occasional overeating is no problem. It's the consistent overeating that is a problem.
    • I realised that I can say no, to others, and to myself.
    • I realised that much of the "eating experience" in reality is anticipation. Building up anticipation, and not get what was anticipated, can make a person with an unhealthy relationship with food, continue in the pursuit of getting the promised satisfaction, instead of accepting that it didn't taste so good afterall, and stop.
    • I realised that eating is not a moral issue.
    • I realised that I need boundaries, but they have to be reasonable, and I have to set them myself.

    I struggled with my weight for over 20 years, ended up borderline obese once or twice, and then actually obese. With MFP and many other resources, I lost 50 pounds, and by being disciplined to do what it takes, and not try shortcuts, I have managed to keep them off for 3 1/2 years, pretty effortlessly. Yes, cravings feel so powerful when they hit, but when I just ride them out, it feels like nothing afterwards.

    This needs to be requoted for emphasis.
    Many who think they have a “food addiction” often need to take a step back and analyze the emotional and situational triggers associated with their behaviors. Food isn’t addictive on the whole. Nor are carbs, sugar, etc. But there are certainly situations which can cause people to have difficulty controlling their intake of certain foods, some, with diagnosed binge eating disorder, may even have a broader category that can be problematic in certain situations.

    Many of the steps outlined here can help someone begin to address their challenges with the mental process and then the physical process of over eating.

    Not sure if the OP is still around but since the old thread got bumped it would be worth paying close attention to these suggestions for a lot of people who are struggling.

    I miss her.
  • aneedforchange
    aneedforchange Posts: 75 Member
    I don’t think about food all the time unless I’m dieting so right now it’s pretty constant and I hate that feeling too. I think I would be good with one of those programs that sends you calorie restricted meals for every meal lol but I’m not rich so that will never work sadly. I wish I had advice for you but you kept it off for so long and you know you can lose it again and that’s something, also there is something to be said for being aware that you have a problem and rectifying it. :)
  • ktaqwa
    ktaqwa Posts: 7 Member
    I totally relate to this , I have struggled with binge eating since high school , I don’t like to call it that but for sake of a better word that’s what it is to me , the only thing that’s helped combat it is mindfulness and reading thich naht hanh books ( a writer for books in mindfulness) and staying true to myself rather then comparing myself to others , I hope the best for you , look out for yourself , food is something we should all be grateful to have but with emotional eating issues it becomes a blur sometimes , this I know first hand <3
  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,205 Member
    Maybe it could be a gift! Perhaps you have a future in cooking for others or becoming a nutritionist!? Just a thought.
  • cory17
    cory17 Posts: 1,503 Member
    The thoughts of food are like a continuous stream. I really think it's a reaction to stressful individuals/relationships.
  • toki33
    toki33 Posts: 5 Member
    I feel this so much. I suffered from eating disorders (bingeing and anorexia) and that constant obsession from the time I was 7 years old. I can’t speak for everyone, but I feel like this addiction is from some other type of issues. Someone made us feel bad, caused us some sort of trauma, maybe it’s super ingrained in family culture and how love was expressed, etc. It’s (for me at least) a way to numb physical and mental pain. I was told at one point that by over eating, it’s still a form of attempted self care, even if it’s not a healthy option. You’re trying to soothe yourself from some bad sensations. It’s a matter of finding a healthier, equally quick rewarding thing to replace food with at first until you learn more skills to cope. Having lots of other hobbies to keep me busy helps a lot as well. It’s a life long struggle. Addiction never really goes away, you just learn new, healthier ways to cope with life. Music has been a blessing in my journey to being healthier. I hope to see you find what your other passions are.
  • sillypandas
    sillypandas Posts: 53 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    This is old...but I'm still going to point out that lasagna with fresh motz is hardly "junk food"

    It is when you eat half a 9×13 pan of it. Hah! :/
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    No, it's just food you overate. Not junk.
  • thecanface
    thecanface Posts: 30 Member
    wow. You just described me to the T! It can be a bit frustrating when ALL i think about is food, healthy and unhealthy. It's an obsession :(
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    sillypandas wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    This is old...but I'm still going to point out that lasagna with fresh motz is hardly "junk food"

    It is when you eat half a 9×13 pan of it. Hah! :/

    Still nothing wrong with the food. You ate too much of it, perhaps, but how does your overconsumption of a particular food automatically categorize it as junk? Lasagna is almost a perfect macro combination. It has carbs, protein and fats. It can be packed with veggies. It is tasty and (for me) comforting. Definitely not junk.

    How will labeling foods in such a way, help you address your tendency to overeat them?
  • thecanface
    thecanface Posts: 30 Member
    I recently heard about this...

    WARNING SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF ORTHOREXIA
    Compulsive checking of ingredient lists and nutritional labels
    An increase in concern about the health of ingredients
    Cutting out an increasing number of food groups (all sugar, all carbs, all dairy, all meat, all animal products)
    An inability to eat anything but a narrow group of foods that are deemed ‘healthy’ or ‘pure’
    Unusual interest in the health of what others are eating
    Spending hours per day thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events
    Showing high levels of distress when ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ foods aren’t available
    Obsessive following of food and ‘healthy lifestyle’ blogs on Twitter and Instagram
    Body image concerns may or may not be present
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    Hi, How is everyone doing today? Hope we are learning and doing our best. Hugs
  • ultra_violets
    ultra_violets Posts: 202 Member
    I've been addicted to food since I was eleven years old. I've spent my entire life obsessed with food and dieting, losing weight and gaining it back. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 38. I've tried every diet out there. The only thing that finally helped me get control and stop my compulsive eating was the keto diet. I'm not saying it's the solution for you, just that it is for me. It's been a miracle for me. Just like an alcoholic can't have even one drink, I had to cut the processed carbs, the sweets and the fast food out of my life, and you know what? I don't miss it. I hope you find what works for you.
  • ultra_violets
    ultra_violets Posts: 202 Member
    dsboohead wrote: »
    Dilvish wrote: »
    Think diabetes. The more simple sugars you consume the harder it gets for your pancreas and liver to handle it and eventually your either diabetic or pre-diabetic and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

    Most people don't even realize they have it until its too late. Sugar, in all it's forms, was never intended to be in the levels the average person consumes.

    Packaged and processed foods, baked goods and yes even Monster drinks all contain way too much sugar (and salt) and if you continue to eat it, your organs will simply cease to function properly.

    Most people are more concerned about their weight rather than their overall health. Cutting carbohydrates (sugars) to no more than 150g per day can literally save your life and jumpstart that weight loss journey.

    P.S. if you get sick when you don't get enough energy drinks then you are at an addiction level and it's time to get that out of your system.

    No....sugar is not the cause! Overweight...genetcs and nobody knows why for type 1. These sre the causes not sugar.

    When I was diagnosed with type 2 in 2008 I blamed myself and my food addiction. I found out later that my father is diabetic (you would think he would have picked up a phone...). So you're right. It isn't always as simple as eating too much sugar.

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