Food addiction involves more than overeating. Similar to addictions to alcohol or street drugs, food addiction causes a physical and emotional dependency on food and an inability to control your behaviors. Intense cravings lead you to overeat excessive amounts of food -- episodes known as binges -- which makes it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight or positive emotional life. Although weight loss is not the focus of treatment, dietary changes that promote healthy weight management are an important component.
Significance
Healthy weight loss among food addicts is significant, because the addiction increases your risk for weight gain, obesity and obesity-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, some of which can become fatal. In addition, only overweight and obese individuals meet the criteria for food addiction, according to a report published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2009. Most healthy, normal-weight people are not considered addicts because food produces primarily positive consequences, whereas excess body weight is a negative, provable and physical result. And unlike drug addiction, coping with food addiction requires development of healthy, normalized eating behaviors rather than avoiding the substance altogether. In this way, food addiction can pose added challenges.
Eating Plan
Weight loss is not the primary goal of treatment for food addiction, particularly during the beginning stages. That said, many people lose weight as a byproduct. To abstain from overeating, Food Addicts Anonymous recommends starting with a balanced meal plan that eliminates all added sugars, wheat, flour and fatty foods, which are often linked with food addiction, and artificial sweeteners, which may stimulate cravings. Although your diet should not be geared toward calorie restriction or weight loss, you'll likely eat fewer overall calories as your eating behaviors normalize. In many cases, your initial dietary lifestyle carries on long-term. For best results, seek supervision from a dietitian with expertise in food addiction.
Emotional Factors
As a food addict, your emotions also play an important role in your ability to healthfully manage your weight. Anxiety, stress, depression and guilt after eating are common among food addicts, according to Rader Programs, and can stimulate additional overeating. For this reason and because food addicts experience withdrawal once they stop their harmful behaviors, developing alternate means of coping with your emotions is important. Valuable sources of emotional support include loved ones and individual or group counseling from a licensed psychotherapist. Regular exercise and spiritual support, if desired, can also help to alleviate stress.
Risks/Challenges
Restrictive diets pose risks for most anyone, according to the Weight-control Information Network, including weight gain and heart problems. If you have a food addiction, your risks may be heightened. Skipping meals or restricting calories may lead to binge-eating and prevent full, lasting recovery. Aim instead for an overall healthy dietary lifestyle. Keep foods that may trigger overeating out of your home and stock your kitchen with healthy foods well-suited to your meal plan. Staying in close contact with your treatment professionals and keeping a food journal that tracks your food intake and emotions may help to ensure your success.
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