The OWN network produces a docu-series, Addicted to Food
Although food addiction is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the term is widely understood as an obsessive-compulsive relationship to food. However, drawing the line between obsessive eating and the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) can be difficult, as overindulgent eating is not only acceptable in today’s society but also, in many cases, encouraged. This discrepancy has fueled an intriguing debate, challenging researchers to answer the question: Is it really possible to be addicted to food?
As the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity notes,
Behavioral markers of addiction, such as continued use despite negative consequences and unsuccessful attempts to cut down, are evident in problematic eating patterns.
So is addiction to blame for our inability to step away from that second bowl of ice cream? Evidence suggests that, for some, the answer may be yes.
This is a great post! I can see why it would be hard for someone who has never really struggled with weight to say that it wasn’t an addiction, but from someone who has I would say that it is and can be an addiction. Did that sentence make sense??? :)
I have spent most of my life struggling with my weight and fighting off binge moments and finally realized that this is something that will always be on my mind. I have hard days where I want to just burry my head in chocolate, but I also have others days where I feel great and make the best decisions to fuel my body correctly. I had to come to the realization that I eat to live not live to eat. I didn’t turn to any form of substance to numb myself. I turned to food. I do believe that there was something emotional that led me to do that. Fear of rejection, not having a lot growing up, being the “chunky” friend… It sort of had this snowball affect. Thank you for posting this!! :)
I think that saying you used is perfect: eat to live, don’t live to eat! Food produces so many physical changes in our bodies (sometimes making us drowsy, when our sugar levels are off; sometimes making us happy, when we associate a certain taste with a pleasant memory; sometimes making us relaxed, when the food releases serotonin or dopamine – like chocolate!). I think it’s unfair to say our minds/bodies can get addicted to these types of physical changes when they’re produced by “drugs” but not when they’re produced by food! So glad you enjoyed the post – and wishing you all the best with your food struggles! ♥