FOOD ADDICTION
REVISED 7-26-19
Can we have addictions to food or certain foods?
First of all, let me say that I am not here to judge anybody. Obesity is an ugly word and nobody would like to be associated with it. I spent most of my adult life seriously obese. It is just by the grace of God that I overcame. I do not think obesity is a disease. I do believe that some people may have a thyroid condition or other chemical imbalance that may cause obesity as a side effect of another disease. I do not doubt that some people may have psychological stuggles that contribute to unhealthy eating habits or food addictions. I spent many years in a stressful management job that caused me to use food as a pacifier. I would pigout to calm my nerves. Now I still pigout, but I have since become addicted to healthier foods allowing me to avoid the "O" word. Maybe we should just start using a different "O" word, overweight
In my opinion and experience we can certainly be addicted to or at least have very difficult to control cravings to some of the ingredients in certain foods.
Many people hear the word addiction and assume it only includes things that are bad or unhealthy for us. I believe we can be equally addicted to things that are good and healthy for us.
When I used to eat a lot of unhealthy foods I would frequently have a very strong craving for those foods and feel soothed and satisfied when I ate those foods. Many of those foods were fast foods. Many were what I now call FMDs (Foods of Mass Destruction). Foods that contained ingredients such as trans fat, sodium, sugar, grease and caffeine that consumed in high enough quantity may be bad for us.
Few people deny that caffeine can create an addiction. I have read that we do not need to consume a large amount of caffeine to form an addiction. If we have 1 cup of coffee per day at the same time of day repeatedly, we commonly have withdrawal symptoms at or shortly after that time of day if we skip that cup of coffee. Many chocolates contain caffeine, especially the dark chocolates, which helps explain the addiction some people have to chocolate. Many of us know people who are what we call weekend alcoholics who every weekend need to get at least slightly intoxicated. I can remember eating the same fast food breakfast sandwich every morning at work during my morning break. And then when I went on vacation with the family, after a few days I would have a very strong craving and I would feel like an anxiety and slight tremor. I would sneak away to that fast food restaurant and get one of those sandwiches and after just one or two bites I would start to feel soothed and comfortable as my addiction to those unhealthy ingredients was being satisfied.
Since then, I have been on a healthier lifestyle journey. I rarely have fast food and cut way back on my consumption of red meat. I get a lot less sodium, grease, fat and trans fat. Now when I have foods high in grease or fat they tend to not agree with me real well. Foods high in sodium taste like they are burning my tongue. Foods high in trans fat make me feel bloated and fatigue. I have over the years gradually started eating a lot more healthy foods high in protein, fiber and whole grain. Now I have cravings for fish, cereal or cereal bars and apples, foods rich in fiber and healthy nutrients.
A few years after I started my health journey, my wife found a new Church for our family. Which led me on a Spiritually healthy journey. Now I also have a frequent craving for God and His Word.
A little time at Church, in Bible Study or listening to Christian music and I feel very soothed.
I do not want to down play the addictions some people have to nicotine, alcohol or drugs. I believe some chemicals can create addictions that are much more serious and more difficult to beat than the food addictions that I have experienced. With food addictions, I believe that quitting the bad ingredients cold turkey is difficult, unnecessary and frequently unsuccessful. I believe it is possible and easier to succeed through a gradual conversion from bad foods to good foods and keep cravings adequately satisfied.
For more on my beliefs about FMDs you might check out the RED-FMD Page of my Web Site.
Thank you for visiting my Web Site and may God bless you and your family.