Sometimes we all gets a craving for a certain type of food. Sometimes we just crave something to eat. No real reason, other than to eat. Sometimes this can be because you are bored, or because you seem something suggestive about food. How many times have you seen a television commercial advertising burgers and it made you want one? This is healthy. Actually it’s commercials purpose. Most of us do it several times per week. Did you know, that you can be addicted to food? I know that sounds a little strange, but it is true. How can you tell if you are a food addict? Sometimes it might not be as easy as you think. There are many things that might come in your way of knowing if you are a food addict. You might be depressed or in an emotional downward spiral that will tarnish your ability to see what is going on. Over a period of time, you will be able to tell if you have an eating problem. If nothing else, you will see it in your waist line. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.
Food addiction symptoms
If you suspect that you are exhibiting food addiction symptoms, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you eat when you are not hungry or when you feel depressed or low?
- Do you consume inordinate amounts of food and then purge later with vomiting or laxatives to get rid of the excess?
- Do you eat in secret or eat differently in front of others than when you’re alone?
- Are there foods that you know are harmful to you, but you eat them anyway?
- After eating, do you feel guilty or shameful?
Addictive foods
What foods are addictive? Well, that is a hard answer. There is no hard answer on what is addictive. It is like saying what is more addictive, beer or whiskey. Though there are a few foods that are extremely addictive.
- Caffeine
It’s a known fact that caffeine is addictive. If you are a coffee drinker, you know how you get the shakes in the morning if you don’t have your coffee. Is coffee addiction bad for you? It’s all about how much of coffee you drink. If you are drinking a few cups a day, it is not harmful. However if you are drinking several pots per day, you have a real problem. Even though it is addictive, you can control the amount that you consume. Unless you have a very addictive personality. If this is the case, I would suggest that you avoid coffee and other caffeine containing products all together. - Sugar
This is addictive. We try not to think of it as being so, but it is. It is addictive because of the jolt of energy that it gives us. If you haven’t had your daily truck load of sugar and you feel tired, worn out, cranky, you are going through withdraw. Did you know that heroin addicts that are going through withdraw consume large amounts of sugar? It is said that sugar helps ward off the cravings of heroin. Sugar is one of those things that is hard to avoid. The best thing that you can do is avoid candy and other sweets. You will digest some sugar, but if you avoid those things, you will cut out a big portion of your sugar consumption. You should also avoid sodas. They are loaded with sugar. - Carbs (Carbohydrates)
This is one thing that people will get frustrated at me over. I do think that carbohydrates are addictive. For the same reasons that sugar is addictive. The best thing that you can do is avoid eating too much bread and pasta. That is the best way to avoid getting addicted to carbs. Note that if you are addicted to carbs you will not be like a junkym but you will become dependant on them. I think that many people are addicted to carbs and don’t know it. It isn’t something that we think about when it comes to addictions. What should you do if you are a food addict? If you can control it, you should do your best to do so. If you are the type that has a strong will, it shouldn’t be too hard. BTW, sugar is a typical carb. - Fast food
Hamburgers and French fries could be as addictive as heroin, scientists have claimed. Researchers in the United States have found evidence to suggest people can become overly dependent on the sugar and fat in fast food.
The problem is, most of us don’t have a strong will when it comes to addictions. We are a race of addicted creatures. I’m beginning to think that most of us are addicted to something. No matter if it is coffee, cigarettes, booze and so forth. If you don’t feel that you can control it, you need to go to your doctor. You need to tell him what is going on. Don’t be ashamed to talk to him about it. You should be more ashamed of yourself if you do nothing about it. After you talk to him you should look into finding a support group for people who have food addictions. Your doctor will probably point you to a therapist. The therapist will know of a support group you can attend. If you aren’t to point that you can talk openly about such a thing in person, you can find support groups online. They are free to use, meaning they don’t charge any money. You will begin to find out what treatment and other things are available. These are people who fight what you are going through every day.
Food Addiction Treatment
People with a food addiction can experience many adverse health conditions including:
- Gastric abnormalities
- Obesity
- Psychological disorders
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
Fortunately, with the right kind of treatment, recovery is possible. Generally speaking, food addiction recovery encompasses the following steps:
- The person must realize and accept that they have a food addiction problem.
- Medically, the person must identify which foods are their “trigger foods,” that is the foods that cause their cravings.
- Guided by professionals, the person must begin to modify their eating patterns and lifestyle.
- The person should begin a manageable exercise program.
Related articles
- Stop the Bingeing Cycle
- Fast food as addictive as heroin
- Addictive Foods: Ingredients & Mechanisms
- Food Cravings – an Enemy or a Friend?
- Food addiction symptoms
- The Not So Delicious Facts About Food Addiction
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