The Truth Food Addiction
If you often feel out of control around food and can't stop eating once you start, you might wonder if you're addicted to certain foods.
There is a popular theory suggesting that food can be addictive, causing changes in the brain similar to those seen with drug addiction. Researchers have found that food manufacturers design products to be 'hyper-palatable,' which can override natural satiety signals and encourage overconsumption. It is also the case that certain foods can trigger the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, but labelling this biological response as addiction is misleading.
IS FOOD ADDICTION REAL?
Don’t get me wrong, feeling addicted to certain foods is a valid experience and can manifest as addiction-like behaviours. However, many experts question the legitimacy of equating compulsive eating with drug or alcohol addiction. Strong cravings for certain foods are linked to biological drives that vary from person to person, especially if you've been restricting specific foods, labelling them as "good" or "bad," or undereating.
When you attempt to eliminate binge-type foods from your diet, you might find yourself obsessing about them constantly. When you eventually succumb to the cravings, you may feel powerless to stop and feel utterly out of control.
However, experts believe this is not the same as the experiences associated with substance abuse. One of the problems with the ‘food addiction’ model is that we cannot abstain from food, as we can from alcohol and drugs. Drug addiction involves the body craving unnecessary substances. This isn't applicable to food, as food is essential for survival. Yet, labelling someone a "food addict" implies wrongdoing on their part, even though they're only consuming something their body needs to live.
This theory also overlooks other significant factors contributing to binge, emotional, and compulsive eating, such as dieting. Over-restricting certain foods often leads to bingeing on them later. Research on binge eating disorder and bulimia has shown that a substantial number of individuals frequently diet before experiencing binge-eating episodes. For example, one study found that 38% of participants had been on a formal diet in the past year, while another reported that up to 65% of individuals regularly dieted before facing binge eating challenges.
While some foods can provoke addiction-like responses, adopting a mindset of deprivation is often counterproductive. Studies on food 'habituation' indicate that repeated exposure to a particular food can decrease interest in it, reducing cravings over time. This contradicts the idea that binge or 'trigger' foods should be permanently eliminated.
Instead, by addressing the key underlying factors (as outlined in my upcoming book), you will heal your relationship with food, overcome your eating behaviours, and eventually be able to feel comfortable around all foods, without the need for restriction.
Imagine how freeing that will be. 💜
You can take your first steps to healing your relationship with food, by downloading my free guide Breaking the Cycle - Your First Steps to Healing Your Relationship with Food to kickstart your journey today