A therapist can help the person stop turning to food to zone out or for comfort and therapy is typically the best bet for those seeking compulsive eating help. There are a couple of options available to quit overeating. Some people with this kind of addiction issue are depressed to the extent that they consider or even attempt suicide as they find it impossible to overcome a compulsive eating disorder.Ĭomplications and Long Term Effects of Food AddictionĪ problem with food addiction can lead to numerous health consequences, including: The addict may suffer from low self-esteem and/or depression, and typically unhappy with their body image. Not all food addicts are overweight or obese. To feel better, they turn to food, and the cycle repeats. After the effect has worn off, the person feels guilty and more depressed. These foods act in the same way as endorphins, the body's "feel good" hormones, and the food addict gets a kind of high after eating them. Adults may choose special foods to treat themselves for various reasons.Ī person who is feeling depressed or stressed may turn to foods containing high amounts of sugar, fat, or salt because of the effect these ingredients have on the brain. Children may be given special treats as a reward for good behavior. We grow up associating food with celebrations and special occasions of all kinds. Some people who are addicted to food do so because they associate certain foods with comfort.
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Turning to food to relieve stress or to deal with unpleasant emotions.Spending a large amount of time thinking about what you ate or what you plan to eat next.Feeling guilty about what you eat, how much you eat, or both.Eating past the point of feeling full, or even to the point of feeling sick.Signs of Food Addictionįood addicts may display the following signs that point to a problem with their relationship with food: They are also caught up in obsessing about food. People with anorexia are food addicts as well, but they go to great lengths to avoid eating.
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Not all food addicts have bulimia, which is characterized by consuming large quantities of food and then purging. When they are not actually eating, they are thinking about their next snack or meal, craving certain kinds of foods, or engaging in a cycle of eating heathy foods part of the time and bingeing on junk food at other times. What is Food Addiction?Ī food addict is caught up in an obsession with food that they can't control. The obsession with eating, or rather consuming, takes over their lives. For a food addict, their obsession with food goes well beyond enjoying a great meal.
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We enjoy eating food that is well prepared and presented, and that tastes good.