Food Addiction – psychology and treatment

Psychology of food addiction

There is a lot of confusion about food addiction, especially among people who don’t have it. There are many misconceptions about this condition. Some people think that since they’re not technically addicted to food (and therefore not an addict), then they can eat whatever they want without any consequences. This couldn’t be further from the truth!

Food addiction is a serious problem; it’s real and it’s serious. If you think that your relationship with food isn’t affecting your life negatively then you might be experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder or another mental health issue like depression or bipolar disorder—not just another bad habit!

The main cause of food addiction

Consuming poor diet foods like high carbohydrates, high sugar, deep fried foods and junk foods are the main cause of food addiction. When you often eat these kinds of foods, the pleasure centers in the brain are activated and good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin are released. Food addiction is almost always more prevalent in women than in men.

Signs of food Addiction

1. Eating certain foods more than the planned amount

2. Eating without fear of becoming ill.

3. When you are tempted to eat certain food but it is unavailable, you will go out of your way to get it.

4. Eating when you are not hungry.

5. Tempting you to eat whenever you walk through certain places or with certain persons.

6. Eating in extreme moods like happiness or sadness.

7. Always think about food like what to eat for dinner while getting up in the morning.

Most common addictive foods

• Pizza
• Chocolate
• Chips
• Cookies
• Ice cream
• French fries

• Cheeseburgers
• Soda (not diet)
• Cake
• Cheese
• Fried Chicken
• Bacon
• Processed cereals
• Gummy candies

Treatment for food addiction

There are several effective treatments for food addiction, including behavioral therapy and medication. However, they can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. Some treatment centers offer low-cost options that can help you get started on the road to recovery.

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or other substance abuse disorder, it’s important to talk about your feelings with someone who understands how harmful these habits are for your health—and how much work it will take before they go away completely.

Factors for food addiction

Genetic

Addicted to food can’t be blamed on an individual. Those temptations can happen due to genetic reasons too. The addictive genes in their DNA will make them eat more. This addictive gene is not only for food addiction but also for any type of addiction.

Stress

If you are feeling too stressed also, it can make you addicted same like alcohol and drug. To cope with negative emotions, consuming excessive food may give you some relief. If you are a person addicted to food due to stress, then obviously it would be highly palatable food like sugar, chocolate, and high carbohydrates.

These foods can make you feel comfortable and can give you fullness. The stress hormone cortisol increases appetite and tempts you to eat excessively.

Trauma

For instance, being a survivor of a traumatic event, experiencing the loss of loved ones or being ignored by society might lead you to seek comfort in food. If you are under any mental illness or pressure, you may get addicted to food to ease the pain.

Environment

When you are in an environment of friends who are always eating or living in a society which speaks about food, you may get addicted to food.

Best to let a professional treat you

If you are suffering from food addiction, it’s important to get professional help. It is a serious problem that can lead to dangerous consequences if left untreated. A professional therapist will be able to help you understand your behavior and develop an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for you. You don’t have to go through this alone!

Food addicts often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with their cravings when they are unable or unwilling (or unable) to eat something healthy again immediately after eating too much food in the form of junk food or other unhealthy foods like potatoes chips etc.

Conclusion

If you have a food addiction and are looking for help, you should consider contacting an addiction specialist like a therapist or doctor. Overeating or food addiction is a sinful behavior as mentioned in Bible. Healerzen always wants you to live a happy and healthy life.

So don’t conclude that you are food addicted to certain signs or situations. Get in touch with your medical practitioner or nutritionist to start your diet plans. God has offered this beautiful and colorful not only to eat but also for survival.

If you or a loved one is fighting a food addiction, then you all too well understand the emotional lows of despair, frustration, and hopelessness involved in the addiction. Healing for food addiction is available. Hope this article is useful and please do let me know your comments or experiences with food addiction.

We’re happy to help you get on the road to better eating and better health. It is the major cause of obesity but normal-weight people also get addicted to food. Recovery from other addictions like a drug, or alcohol can be done by not consuming it but food addiction recovery is a little complicated as eating food can’t be stopped.