Food Addiction
How does food addiction work?
There is a system in the brain called the reward system. This system was designed to reward the brain when a person is doing things that encourage survival. This includes primal behaviors like eating. The brain knows that when a person eats, they’re doing something right, and it releases feel-good chemicals in the reward system. These chemicals include the neurotransmitter dopamine, which the brain interprets as pleasure. The brain is designed to seek out behaviors that release dopamine in the reward system.
How can you get addicted to food?
The problem with modern junk food is that it can cause a reward that is way more powerful than any reward the brain can get from fresh foods or freshly prepared meals. Frequent consumption of junk food may lead to dopamine tolerance. This means that a person will have to eat even more junk food to avoid going into withdrawal. Regularly giving in to cravings for junk food may be a sign that someone is experiencing food addiction or emotional eating. People experiencing food addiction often hide their behavior from friends and family. Depression and anxiety often play a role in addictive behaviors.
How can you overcome food addiction?
A few things can help prepare for giving up junk foods and make the transition easier:
- Trigger foods. Write down a list of the foods that cause cravings and/or binges. These are the trigger foods to avoid completely.
- Fast food places. Make a list of fast food places that serve healthy foods and note their healthy options. This may prevent a relapse when hungry and not in the mood to cook. Delete the apps that link you to fast foods eaily.
- What to eat. Think about what foods to eat — preferably healthy foods that are liked and already eaten regularly, like favorite fruits and salads.
- Pros and cons. and purse or wallet. Consider making several copies of the pro-and-con list. Keep a copy in the kitchen, glove compartment.
Additionally, don’t go on a diet. Put weight loss on hold for at least 1–3 months. Overcoming food addiction is difficult enough. Adding hunger and restrictions to the mix is likely to make things harder. After taking these preparatory steps, set a date in the near future — like the coming weekend — from which point onward the addictive trigger foods won’t be touched again.
Consider seeking help
Most people with addiction attempt to quit several times before they succeed in the long run. While it’s possible to overcome addiction without help — even if it takes several tries — it can often be beneficial to seek help. Many health professionals and support groups (from family and friends) can aid in overcoming your addiction.
