[?] Subscribe To This Site

Food Addiction

Food addiction is closely related to binge eating disorder. (If there's really any difference at all.) It can be considered not having control over eating or being obsessed with food (chocolate addiction).

The reason I think this term came into play is because people have used 12 Step Programs to overcome addiction to food or binge eating. It works for some people and that's wonderful!

If you're interested in using a 12 step program then I suggest you try or at least research it.

Food can literally become like a drug. You can get your "fix" then after you come down from your high you want to have more; like food cravings. Food can also be used to give you a sensation of feeling "numb" so you don't have to deal with life.

Normally, for an emotional eater, that is when you come down off of this "high or numbness" and you feel horrible about yourself. Then promise that tomorrow will be different. But yet again the next day you are in the same place using food to cope. In a sense this is a cycle of addiction.

But just like any other addiction: it can be overcome. You can stop food addiction!

Here are some suggestions:

Food addiction can also be considered normal and common place. Like being addicted to chocolate, sugar, or caffeine. It just depends on how you use the word. In any case; it is something that people struggle with; whatever your definition is.

Below is a questionnaire from FoodAddicts.org to help you see if you fall into this category. (Again this can also be considered emotional eating, binge eating, compulsive eating, etc.)

Are you a food addict?To answer this question, ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as you can.

Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't?
Do you think about food or your weight constantly?
Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success?
Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging?
Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people?
Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight?
Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)?
Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long?
Do you eat to escape from your feelings?
Do you eat when you're not hungry?
Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve and eat it later?
Do you eat in secret?
Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake?
Have you ever stolen other people's food?
Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough?"
Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight?
Do you obsessively calculate the calories you've burned against the calories you've eaten?
Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten?
Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight?"
Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you may be a food addict. You are not alone. FA offers hope through a real solution to food addiction.

Return to Homepage from "Food Addiction"

footer for food addiction page