| |
|
|
|
Food Addiction: A Craving Your Body Can’t Seem to
Control
You may overdose on potato chips or
tortilla chips once in a while, but would you consider yourself
to be a food addict? The answer is important, because it could
be the key to determining what course of action you need to
take in order to lose weight. A number of medical experts say
that food addiction is just as serious as nicotine or cocaine
addiction-and can potentially be just as deadly.
When you suffer from food addiction, you have an overwhelming
desire for a particular food. The desire is so strong, in fact,
that if you are unable to consume that food, you suffer from
withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and depression.
Food addicts crave the comfort that a particular food gives
them. They also may engage in binge eating. Their cravings for
food may be both physical and psychological.
It should be pointed out that there are different varieties of
food addiction. For instance, there is compulsive overeating,
where an individual goes on eating binges that can last several
days. The addict may sometimes lose weight, but tends to gain
it back again. Symptoms include eating quickly, compulsively
eating alone, and eating when there is no evidence of
hunger.
Yet another form of addiction is bulimia, in which an
individual overeats, then purges either by vomiting or by
taking laxatives. Signs of this condition include isolating
oneself when eating, trying to consume huge portions of food
rapidly, and being preoccupied with one’s weight.
food addiction can also come in the form of anorexia, where an
individual attempts to starve oneself in order to achieve an
unrealistic weight. Anorexics tend to be 15 percent below
normal body weight and have a phobia about being fat. They have
difficulty eating with other people and appear to be obsessed
with weight. They may engage in ritualistic behavior involving
food and may suffer from depression.
The good news is that food addiction can be successfully
treated. This treatment can come in a variety of forms. A food
addict may work with a psychotherapist to develop new ways to
deal with food and his or her emotions. The therapist might be
able to identify the source of the individual’s fear or
anger-the reason behind the individual’s addiction.
In the majority of cases, the psychologist will help the
individual to develop a treatment plan which spells out
expectations and goals, both for the short-term and the
long-term. In the most serious cases, an individual may have to
undergo in-patient treatment at a psychological facility.
Treatment often involves helping the individual to return to
healthy eating methods, dealing with the underlying emotional
causes of addiction, and learning effective coping
techniques.
Food addicts often follow the tenets of the same kind of
12-step program used by alcoholics. This involves admitting
their powerlessness over food, their belief that they could be
restored to sanity, and an admission of their faults and
failings. In addition, food addicts often draw strength from
support groups made up of people who have similar difficulties
dealing with food. Just knowing that there are other people who
face the same challenges can be incredibly therapeutic.
It is unclear at this point whether food addiction is a
genetically-based illness. Certainly, however, there is
evidence of eating patterns being passed down from one
generation to the next. In fact, many food addicts may only
seek help after they have determined that their illness could
adversely affect their children.
It is entirely possible that a food addiction can never be
cured, that it can only be treated. In other words, the
recovery period for the addiction can last a lifetime. However,
one should never lose hope of beating a food addiction. With
patience and with time, individual addicts can learn the
behavioral skills which will enable them to keep their weight
under control. Of course, there will be times when individuals
will be tempted to indulge in sweets or excessive
carbohydrates. However, knowing the pain that they will undergo
if they continue their harmful eating habits could be just the
incentive they need to stay the course.
by -
Back
to Top
###
| |
|
|
Snowboard
Addiction snowboard addiction Is The Worlds Best
Online Snowboard Coaching! Video Lessons, Podcasts To Ride With
And Manuals With Photos And Diagrams. It Incorporates Both A
Freestyle Program And A Learn To Snowboard
Program.
Click Here for More
Info!>>
101 Secrets Of A
Microsoft Excel Addict. You Are About To Discover 101 Of Excels
Little-known Secrets That Have Been Hiding Right Under Your
Nose. These Secrets Are Guaranteed To Boost Your Excel Skills
And Productivity Far Ahead Of Everyone Around You. Imagine! You
The Excel
Expert!
Click Here for More
Info!>>
End Your Internet
Sex Site Addiction. An Easy To Read Book On Resolving An Addiction
To X-rated Movies And Pictures. Written By A Psychology
Graduate And Includes Bonus Video
Program. Click Here for More
Info!>>
Addiction Free Forever Program. A
Complete At-home Addiction Recovery Program That Permanently
And Naturally Cures An Alcohol Or Drug
Addiction. Click Here for More
Info!>>
Cannabis Addicts
Self Help Stop Smoking. Self Help EBook(R) For
Cannabis Users. Stop Smoking Cannabis For Good!
Guaranteed. Click Here for More
Info!>>
Alcoholism & Drug Addiction Recovery
Workbook. Alcoholism And Drug Addiction Is Not A
Disease But A Choice! This Workbook Is For Those Who Struggle
With 'recovery' And Just Cant Find The Answers They Seek In Aa,
Na Or Current Treatment Programs. Practical & Empowering
Self-help Recovery
Information. Click Here for More
Info!>>
Trading Addicts
Subscription. Follow Along With Top Traders As They
Profit In Stocks, Options, Futures, And Forex Markets In
Real-time. Click Here for More
Info!>>
Secrets Of Sexual
Addiction. Would You Like To Have The Best Sex
Life Possible? Bold, New Information That Will Change Your Sex
Life Forever! Click Here for More
Info!>>
Alternative Health Center
- Overcoming
Drug Addictions, Quit Smoking. Overcoming Drug Addictions
Multi-media Product, Quit Smoking, Arthritis Relief, Prostate
Health, Lowering Cholesterol And Other Information Products.
Learn The Latest Cutting Edge Information From Experts In The
Alternative Health
Field.
Click Here for More
Info!>>
Overcome Your Nasal Spray
Addiction. EBook Detailing How To Overcome A
(rhinitis Medicamentosa) Nasal Spray Addiction...a Condition
Suffered By 10 Million
Americans,. Click Here for More
Info!>>
|