Food addiction can become a serious problem and cause people to lose control of themselves around certain kinds of foods. Some foods can have certain effects on the brain that can make them addictive and impossible for some to avoid. Being addicted to a specific type of food will lead to individuals eating large quantities of unhealthy foods even though they know there’s the potential for them to cause harm. Make sure you take food addiction seriously and seek treatment if you find yourself unable to stop eating a specific type of food is an essential part of staying healthy.
It isn’t possible to diagnose food addiction with a blood test or something similar. Like other addictions, behavioral symptoms are the only way to tell if someone has a problem.
Here are the common symptoms of food addiction:
- Cravings for certain foods frequently even if you feel full and have recently finished a nutritious meal
- Starting to eat a craved food and eating until you’ve finished all of it
- Eating a craved food to the point of feeling like you’ve eaten way too much
- Feeling guilty after eating particular foods but still continuing to eat them
- Making excuses about why it might be a good idea to respond to a craving
- Trying to quit eating certain foods repeatedly but being unsuccessful each time that you try
- Keeping the consumption of unhealthy foods hidden from those around you
- Feeling unable to stop the consumption of unhealthy foods even though eating them can lead to more serious problems
A deeper issue could be present if more than 4 of the symptoms listed above apply. Food addiction is the likely cause if more than 6 apply and it would be best to seek help as soon as possible. Everyone suffering from food addiction has different triggers that can lead to overeating so each case needs to be treated differently. The Behavioral Therapists at Behavioral Nutrition understand that practicing good behaviors and developing good habits in regards to your diet is the most effective way to fight food addiction.
Addiction is a serious issue that often requires treatment to overcome. It often leads to more serious health problems and can lower someone’s self-esteem. Please get in touch with Behavioral Nutrition to learn more about behavioral therapy services that can help you learn to eat healthy in a way that’s sustainable.
