The excessive, compulsive craving and consumption of food characterize food addiction. Because the cravings for food associated with this condition are so extreme, they have been deemed by experts as being as bad or worst than the abnormal consumption of the food. In writing this article, I learned some very useful information that shed light on problems I have faced in the past. I never considered whether or not I was a food addict before, but with researching the topic of food addiction I was made aware of some clear characteristics of this disorder that are similar to my own. So are you a food addict or living with one? Read on.
Types of Food Addiction
- Compulsive Overeating
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Anorexia Nervosa
Characteristics of a Food Addiction:
According to the Wikipedia, A food addiction that is associated with uncontrollable eating is known as a compulsive eating disorder. A person who has a compulsive eating disorder commonly engages in a practice known as binge eating in which they eat excessive amounts of food even when they are not hungry. Some experts say that this uncontrollable eating gives the compulsive eater a sort of “high” that is similar to that of an addict who takes a controlled substance. A person who binge eats can eat as much as 5000 to 15000 calories a day. Binge eating should not be confused with Bulimia which is the purging of food after it is consumed or anorexia which is when a person starves themselves in order to achieve an unrealistic weight. Some characteristics of a food addict include:
- Eats, then feeling guilty about eating
- Eats foods that are known to be harmful to them
- Eats in secret
- Uses excessive amounts of laxatives to get rid of food
- Purges food (bulimics)
- Eating little in public, but is overweight or obese
- Eating uncontrollably, even when not hungry
- Always on again off again, a diet
- Excessive thoughts about food
- Feelings of shame about eating habits
- Eats little to no food
I am sure many people can identify with at least one of the things on the above list, myself including. I have been large my entire adult life. After getting to a reasonable weight my family and friends praised me for being “cured” and finally being able to get a grasp on my food issues. The truth is even at a size 8 I sometimes eat uncontrollably. At any party or gathering, it is the food I am usually interested in not the people. I find myself going back then back again to the dessert counter. The only thing that has kept me from gaining my weight back is the behavior I exhibit the other days of the week in regards to eating. I now exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet most of the time. I finally realized that I indeed do have an issue with compulsive eating. Am I a food addict? Maybe so, and I can live with that. I now know I have to make a choice to stop eating when I have gone to far and to allow myself some of the things I like every now and then.
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