Food Addiction Am I Addicted to Food?

First of all, food is not the problem; the addiction is the issue. the foods that contribute to the addiction make for a much larger threat to one's health.

The Triggers

The trigger foods are those highly refined, such as potato chips, candy bars, cookies, ice cream, fries, and most any junk food.  If you find it hard to stop eating these foods and lose control on a routine basis, you may be a food addict. 

Processed foods are so dangerously addictive because they are loaded with refined starches, sugars, fats, and chemicals our bodies are not designed to process. These foods release chemicals impacting the brain much like a cigarette, drug, or alcohol. The intoxicating aftermath leaves one feeling horrible, as does any addict, and yet often, all too often, coming back for more.

A simple yet successful treatment for most food addicts is to treat the offending foods as poison.  While this may seem a harsh statement to the food dependant addict, these foods are in fact poison when over loaded in the human system.  Just as any addict loses control consuming to much of anything it's a health threat.  Just as an alcoholic knows they cannot take that first drink, you too must understand your trigger foods and treat them as such never taking that first bite. Simply removing the foods that trigger your addiction or binges can prevent them from occurring.

You may think your comforting yourself and yet while realizing the truth understand in fact you are giving up, tossing in the towel.  It is vital to deal with the issue of self worth.  You are good enough, you deserve to be happy, look good and feel good.  More to the point you can do it, if you fail do it again, don't overeat to burden yourself with the guilt of not being good enough. You deserve to have a long happy energized life packed with fun and adventure.  Most important food is for energy, it is our source of fuel that moves us through the day. 

Healing from any addiction is an ongoing process, a work in progress. Remember, we all have something we cope with, live with, and wrestle with in our daily lives.  You are not alone, and there are many just like you learning to live with addictive personalities; maybe it's a sign of our modern times advertising and overabundance everywhere we turn. But there is help, great books, programs, and positive things to turn your addiction around.

Remember, not all food is consumable, and you are not a trash can.  Food is for energy and we need only stop to refuel once we’ve exhausted our fuel source, filling up on healthful foods only once we are empty.  Put good food into your body, convince yourself you can live without the trigger foods, and work on believing it till you honestly do.  You can do this!

Much Love and Health, Katie