Understanding Food Addiction

I would like to take some time to explain this widely rising issue of food addiction .As requested a discussion on it in the healthy living category will be available soon .

What is Food Addiction?

Scientifically, food addiction is a cluster of chemical dependencies on specific foods or food in general; after the ingestion of high palatable foods such as sugar, excess fat and/or salt the brains of some people develop a physical craving for these foods. Over time, the progressive eating of these foods distorts their thinking and leads to negative consequences which they do not want but cannot stop.

Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the reward centers in the brain, involving brain neurotransmitters like dopamine .The foods that seem to be the most problematic include typical junk foods, as well as foods that contain either sugar or wheat, or both.

Food addiction is not about a lack of willpower or anything like that, it is caused by the intense dopamine signal hijacking the biochemistry of the brain.There are many studies that support the fact that food addiction is a real problem.

Symptoms of Food Addiction

There is no blood test available to diagnose food addiction. Just like with other addictions, it is based on behavioral symptoms.

Here are some common symptoms of food addiction .

You frequently get cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal.

When you give in and start eating a food you were craving, you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to.

When you eat a food you were craving, you sometimes eat to the point of feeling excessively stuffed.

You often feel guilty after eating particular foods, yet find yourself eating them again soon after.

You sometimes make excuses in your head about why you should eat something that you are craving.

You have repeatedly tried to quit eating or setting rules (includes cheat meals/days) about certain foods, but been unsuccessful.

You often hide your consumption of unhealthy foods from others.

You feel unable to control your consumption of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that they are causing you physical harm (includes weight gain).

What factors can influence food addiction?

Many factors play a role in the development of food addiction.

Fear: Addicts may fear eating a reasonable amount of food, getting fat, and/or experiencing uncomfortable emotions and hunger.

Chronic overeating: Eating too much of highly processed foods can stimulate brain opiates — feel good chemicals. Regular bingeing might create a dependency on this natural high. We become dependent on a highly processed diet to feel normal and experience withdrawal symptoms when we dont eat it.

Food restriction: What if I told you that starting tomorrow you could never have ice cream again? What would you do today? Probably eat a bunch of ice cream – right? Cravings and reward responses from food are greater after a period of food restriction (whether real or imagined) and/or nutrient depletion. This is why diets and extreme restriction almost inevitably lead to binges.

Stress: Various forms of stress can trigger addiction. Binging + food restriction + stress = a winning combination for food addiction. Addiction can lie dormant when things are going well, then rear its ugly head when life trouble strikes.

Depression: Depression usually changes appetite, hunger, and fullness signals, as well as sleep patterns (normally, good quality sleep helps us manage urges — sleep is willpower fuel).

Weak satiety mechanisms: Some people who struggle with food addiction arent as tuned in to their fullness cues. They hear hunger signals more loudly than satiety signals.

Automaticity: Food behaviours can be strongly ingrained habits that wear a groove into our nervous system. Some argue that they cant be eliminated — just rendered dormant (temporarily).

Food Addiction Vs. Binge Eating Disorder

On the surface, food addiction and binge eating disorder can appear very similar. It is important to note that binge eating disorder is a classified and diagnosable mental illness, often resulting from the combination of biological, emotional, environmental and psychosocial factors.

A person who is dealing with binge eating often does so as a result of many complex issues. Food addiction is more biochemical in nature, creating a dependency on a physical reaction resulting from the consumption of certain foods.

With these two food related issues, professional treatment is necessary for intervention and help. If you think you may be struggling with a food addiction or binge eating disorder, be sure to reach out to a professional that can help you better understand what you might be facing.

I Hope i cleared any confusions or misunderstandings about the topic . Thank You all for reading . If you have any further questions or confusions about the topic then please feel free to ask by replying to this forum post.