The food addict's diet may bear some resemblance to other restrictive calorie weight loss programs, but by framing the diet in terms of addiction, the diet presumes there are problems with food that go beyond simply managing food intake. Underlying the food addict's diet is the belief that some people develop emotional and physiological dependence on food, and that this dependence is fueled by the consumption of particular types of foods.
Food Addiction
The premise of the food addict's diet is that just as people can become addicted to tobacco, alcohol or drugs, they can get addicted to food. Dr. Neal Barnard, M.D., author of "Breaking the Food Seduction," writes that certain foods contain chemicals that trigger the brain to secrete opiate-like chemicals, such as the neurotransmitter dopamine, that create a sense of well-being and calm. He suggests that foods such as sugar, meat, cheese and chocolate fuel an unhealthy cycle. A food-addicted person feels anxious and then compulsively eats certain foods. These foods trigger release of dopamine, but once the food is quickly metabolized and no longer available to sustain the release of dopamine, the person starts to feel anxious again. This triggers a deeply ingrained compulsion to get another food fix.
Problem Foods
Certain foods may be more potent at triggering addictive responses. Dairy products, such as milk, ice cream, yogurt and cheese, contain a protein called casein, which is highly similar to morphine in structure, offers Barnard. Barnard argues, as well, that meat triggers morphine-like addictive responses. He describes, for example, how morphine blockers reduce appetite for meat. It is also well established that simple carbs and fats get quickly released into the bloodstream as glucose, where they trigger an insulin surge that breaks down the glucose, causing a brief surge in energy and an increase in the transportation of epinephrine into the brain. Once in the brain, epinephrine is converted into mood elevating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Symptoms
Food addicts are prone to emotional-eating -- they eat when they are anxious or depressed. They eat compulsively, consuming far more than they need, and then continuing to eat even if they are not hungry. They may hide how much they eat or they may hoard food. Like an alcoholic or drug addict, they eat foods that are bad for them even though they know their behavior creates health risks or other problems in their life. They think about food more than most. Often, food becomes an organizing force or obsession in their life -- they live to eat, not eat to live. They may overeat simply because food is available, and they go on food binges. Just as alcoholics often have multiple addictions that include coffee and tobacco, so too, foodaholics may have an addictive personality. They may diversify their addiction portfolio by seeking solace in other compulsive behaviors, but it is their addiction to food that most reliably fills their aching heart and growing stomach.
Diet
Just as the alcoholic must clear his home of alcohol and avoid bars, the food addict must avoid foods that trigger his addiction. One piece of candy is not enough and too much for the addict. Unlike the drug, alcohol or tobacco addict, the food addict cannot totally disavow all contact with the substance of her desire. Food addicts still have to eat, so it is critical to remove and avoid foods that trigger compulsive eating. Barnard promotes applying strict limits to the availability and consumption of sweet foods, white bread, processed foods, chocolate, cheese, fatty meats and dairy. He recommends eating a good breakfast and consuming foods throughout the day that keep blood sugars stable, such as unprocessed grains, vegetables, fruits and beans. He also suggests doing a detox; completely abstaining from your addictive foods for three weeks
Treatment and Support
Many addicts need help and support to deal with their compulsions and with the emotions that often underlie their obsession. Speak with friends, family or a professional counselor if you struggle with food addiction. Another resource, Food Addicts Anonymous, or FAA, has a worldwide organization modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous that provides free guidance, structure and peer support. FAA promotes a 12-step program, complete with sponsors who assist with abstention. FAA encourages strict adherence to a diet that forbids certain foods and beverages, including sugar, flour, wheat and caffeine.
