Do you believe that food addiction is real?

[Anonymous]

It is behavioral - so if you grow up with any adults who have unhealthy relationships with food, it is likely you will mimic or develop some form of that.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I was addicted to sugar and flour and come from a long line of addiction in the family (gambling, alcohol, prescription medication, and then food). In my family, it was food. In older generations a combo of things. I joined a 12 step program for food addiction that helps with the "addictive personality" thing and lost 150 pounds and have kept it off for 29+ years. I am still in the program and it gives me the coping mechanisms I need for my addictive personality as well as a food plan that works for me. Although the idea of giving up sugar and flour was terrifying (what is the point of life without bagels???), I found in practice that once I gave it up - I didn't want it anymore. I love the food I eat and I never crave anything else. It's also so freeing to be in a healthy sized body after being obese most of my life and also to have a community of people who understand that food addiction is real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is behavioral - so if you grow up with any adults who have unhealthy relationships with food, it is likely you will mimic or develop some form of that.

This is PP above. I don't think that this is entirely true. While it's partially true, in my experience is was a combination of physical addiction and behavioral. Food does something for me that it does not do for others, that goes beyond nurture.

[Anonymous]

I have been listening to the Food Junkies Podcast
It is really interesting and helpful.

[Anonymous]

Only through fasting do I get clarity. Then I start eating unhealthy and the cravings return. Then I gain, get disgusted at myself, fast, clarity returns and cant believe I craved low quality food.

cycle repeats.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but I didn't for years until I met a particular coworker.

She was overweight and definitely addicted to food. We traveled together at least 2 weeks out of every month, sometimes more, so we got to know each other very well. Every decision/action revolved around food with her. If it was a new city, she'd research the best restaurants to eat at. She'd make a whole itinerary of where we were eating and when. On one hand, that's super helpful to have someone who already knows which places have good Yelp reviews and whatnot, but on the other hand, sometimes you wanted to be spontaneous. Or weren't feeling that particular food. And we'd be finishing one meal and she was already planning for the next.

It could also be stressful because if things didn't go according to plan and she didn't get to eat or was rushed, she'd get very agitated. Then she'd just fret about when she'd get to eat, how much time she'd have, etc. etc.

We're still friends even though she left the company after about 2 years and I left a year after that. She's still very addicted to food. We just had brunch out a few weeks ago before seeing a show and while eating she was planning on what she'd get to eat and drink there. During intermission she was confirming plans with her sister for dinner and exploring the menu for where they were going. She's a fun person and I love hanging out with her, but I also feel so sad that her life revolves around food.

[Anonymous]

Physically addicting, no. Mentally and emotionally addicting, yes.

Unlike a true addiction like to drugs if you stop eating those foods you do not go through withdrawal. Your body will not physically react in a negative way,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you wear a continuous glucose monitor it will show your responses to food. Basically, flour and sugar causes spikes then dips.

Of course they do. That is literally how your body is designed to react. These spikes and dips are normal and there is nothing wrong with them, unless you are a diabetic who needs insulin to bring those spikes down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you wear a continuous glucose monitor it will show your responses to food. Basically, flour and sugar causes spikes then dips.

Of course they do. That is literally how your body is designed to react. These spikes and dips are normal and there is nothing wrong with them, unless you are a diabetic who needs insulin to bring those spikes down.

When I used the CGM and made adjustments to control the spikes such as food choices, walking after meals, I felt amazing, slept well, no uncontrollable cravings etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Physically addicting, no. Mentally and emotionally addicting, yes.

Salt Sugar Fat book talks about the physical addiction of processed foods

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Physically addicting, no. Mentally and emotionally addicting, yes.

Unlike a true addiction like to drugs if you stop eating those foods you do not go through withdrawal. Your body will not physically react in a negative way,

Same PP above who is in recovery from food addiction. Not my experience. When I gave it up I had stomach issues, headaches, slept a lot, cried for 2 weeks. It felt like physical withdrawal and in the program we all talk about having a similar experience.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The same thought patterns and root causes as chemical dependency. Childhood trauma, poor coping mechanisms, codependent family structures, etc.

I also think it is interesting when people have very black and white thinking about diet and exercise and a person's relationship with food in general. Especially when they believe very staunchly in the calories in/calories out model. A cursory glance at the diversity of humans at different ages and stages, when impacted by disease or hormonal issues or even pregnancy, should cast enough doubt to at least be open-minded about things like carbohydrate intake.