Family Christian Counseling LIBRARY

Title: THE TRUTH ABOUT FOOD ADDICTIONS

Author: Rose English, LMFT

Food Addiction or eating disorders, are not about food. They are about an unhealthy relationship between an individual and a mood altering process involving food. Eating disorders are addictive illnesses and are progressive in nature. "Food Addiction" can take on several forms: anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating.

The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to deal with their problems.

Behaviors associated with food addiction are similar to those of other addictions, such as chemical dependency. Among these may be:
" Loss of control
" Low self esteem
" Depression
" Feelings of worthlessness
" Identity concerns,
" Family communication problems
" Inability to express emotions,
" Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or stop the behavior
" A great deal of time spent thinking about food or engaging in the behavior
" Continuing the behavior despite related complications
" Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, headaches and restlessness
" A need for increased amounts of the substance
" Changes in social, occupational, or recreational activities as a result of the behavior.

www.addictionrecov.org/wrkguide-food.htm

Danger signs of food addictions:

" Preoccupation with food. Such as overconcern about when the nest meal is, what, when.
" Secret eating. The person
" sneaks off and eats food to avoid being seen.
" Binging, purging and overuse of laxatives.
" Blaming their eating on others. Arguments are often started just for the benefit of eating as a way of coping.

www.pasadenaisd.org/ParentUniversity/parent12.htm

Holiday Eating Strategies.
" Stay well hydrated - drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages as they contribute to dehydration.
" Eat Slowly - It takes your body up to 15 minutes to feel the effect of food.
" Eat before gatherings that involve food. Take a small plate and refuse to go back for seconds.
" Office party solutions - bring healthy tasty snacks - such as fresh fruits, energy bars, string cheese, turkey sandwiches, yogurt, apricots or other dried fruit, homemade trail mix.
" Healthy recipes for baked goods
" Total elimination of a food usually backfires. Do not try to totally eliminate a favorite as you are more likely to crave and go overboard on that very food.
" No-guilt day - give yourself one day a week where you can have whatever you want without a guilt trip.
" Enlist help - get support from family, friends, co-workers.
" Be conscious. Be aware of your trouble spots. Strive to be aware of unhealthy eating habits, situations and triggers that make you eat.

www.bodyresults.com/E3holidayeating.asp

Rose English, MS, LMFT

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