I think I might be addicted to food.

[Anonymous]

I've always been big, ever since childhood. I grew up poor, which meant eating lots of processed crap. All treats/celebrations/rewards revolved around food. I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food.

Now I can definitely afford to eat well, and I know how to eat well, but at every opportunity I go completely overboard. Here's an example: today I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. I walked out with a bottled coffee drink, bag of donuts, frozen pizza and frozen chicken wings. This is SO crazy. I feel like crap after eating it, but I can't stop myself beforehand.

How do I even start to address this??

[Anonymous]

First, OP, stop blaming yourself. When you're raised like this, it changes your physiology. Even if you ate perfectly, you'd have to eat far less than people who grew up normal weight to maintain a normal weight. That's not saying you shouldn't try because your life depends on it. I'm very sorry that your parents didn't do right by you on this account. It's hard.

Second, can you order your food to be delivered? I find if I do that, I buy less junk but I do treat myself to a bar of 85% dark chocolate each time.

What is your life like? Can you afford to see a doctor, dietitian, coach for something like this? Can you change your lifestyle so that you walk everywhere? Would you be able to switch to a keto diet for a few months so that you can break the addiction to sugar/carbs? I have a HUGE sweet tooth and ate so much processed carbs... thought I could never do keto... but I did and I feel incredible. The initial water weight loss is so motivating and as long as you like one thing from the diet (like bacon or eggs or peanut butter) it can keep you going from needing other treats. AND: you're never hungry!

Good luck, many of us are in the same boat. Our lives are designed to bring us down, but I know that you are capable of doing it if you want to!

[Anonymous]

You need therapy to figure out why you are eating your feelings (not trying to be mean, I've been in therapy for a year plus for my issues).

If you watch my 600 pound life, every single person on it has experienced some sort of trauma in their early life and food is a source of comfort for them.

[Anonymous]

I keep a list of ways to celebrate that do not involve food or alcohol.

Once I get sugar and simple carbs out of my system, it's easier for me to keep them out. I can't have a cheat day, because all they do is bring cravings back.

[Anonymous]

OP suggest you read Bright Line Eating (BLE) book or look up videos on YouTube on BLE by Dr Susan Pierce Thompson. It was eye opening for me. I was same as you - successful in every other aspect of my life but could not control food or binges. I could lose large amounts of weight but always regained. Also you don’t have to spend dollars for boot camp or other items offered. Literally the book ($14.99 on Amazon) and BLE facebook pagefor support is all you need.

[Anonymous]

There's also Overeaters Anonymous. Not everyone takes to 12-step groups but it's another tool out there.
https://www.oa-dcmetro.org/

[Anonymous]

Posting here is a good sign that you want to eat better and healthily. The thing is that we are exposed to so much crap that our taste buds crave more and more salt, sugar and what not. It is tough to reprogram your body. But, it can be done. What is the best approach for you, that is for you to figure out. Think of it as real addiction, when you take it that seriously, you might realize that it is a serious addiction on par with drug addictions. What works for me(I love, love, love food) is going back to basics. Just try baguette with butter on, nothing else. Try plain sushi rice, or plain boiled potatoes. Try them after not eating for maybe 12 hours, or what suit you, and then see how you like it. Or just boiled broccoli with salt in water and eat it, see if you like it after not eating for several hours. I wish you the best of luck if you try to change your eating habits, and if you don't or can't, don't beat yourself up over it.

[Anonymous]

More than half of the Americans are addicted to food. People enjoy junk food. Food provides instant gratification. I recommend simple lifestyle changes. As an example, for a week, just drink 8 cups of water per day. Once you see that you are following this change consistently, you want to add eating one fruit or a dish of vegetables for a day. Follow just very basic lifestyle changes for a month and confirm your progress by writing in a journal.

The key is consistency.

[Anonymous]

The Beck Diet Solution is a great book that helps be keep motivated. It's more of a mindset book that can be used with whichever diet or life style change you choose to follow.

[Anonymous]

Another recommendation for Bright Line Eating. Literally nothing else has worked for me - it’s been a godsend.

[Anonymous]

A third rec for Bright Line Eating! It has changed my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A third rec for Bright Line Eating! It has changed my life.

This forum was the first I heard of Bright Line Eating. I don't want to pay for another book, can you tell me about a bit more about it? I saw wheat is off the table, but what about rice? Can I eat rice? Do you have to pay to get the info? I came up as 7, but I am not very overweight at all, still would like to lose 10lbs and so far nothing I tried works. I am blaming my Lyme disease for it!

[Anonymous]

Bump - see Bright Line Eating thread. I’m pp who posted the plan. It’s a version of the Food Addict Anonymous Diet.

I’m 100% a sugar addict - happy, sad, mad, bored - I NEED sugar. I literally feel the high after I eat candy. It lasts for 10 seconds then I need more.

BLE cuts it out and includes a version of therapy on why are we reaching for food and neuroscience around it.

It is a little cultish but for me it’s working. I’m now very aware of hunger vs want/urge.