Food is sustenance. Its entire purpose is to keep us alive. It’s a life source, a necessity, a means of growth and energy. But who are we kidding? Food becomes much more than a basic need in our lives. It becomes comfort and delight and habit. It becomes part of who we are. And our ever growing obesity problem in America proves that to be unequivocally true.
Unfortunately, our food obsession may go further than simple habit. How many times have you said you were addicted to a certain food? To Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or tacos or your grandmother’s mashed potatoes? We become so emotionally invested in food, we feel as though we can’t live without it. But is that true? Or are these self-proclaimed addictions nothing more than hyperboles? The answer is complicated.
According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, a little more than 70 percent of Americans are considered overweight, and approximately 40 percent are clinically obese. Those are big numbers. Really big, overwhelming numbers. In the same study, it’s suggested that these numbers aren’t necessarily all our fault. When rats were given a diet high in sugar -- or when they were given endless food options -- the rats showed neurochemical changes in the brain. Their brains literally changed in response to the food. Does that sound familiar? It should. It’s the same kinds of changes that happen in the brain of a drug addict.
The good news is that in some cases, the problem is truly an emotional connection. We turn to food as a coping mechanism. In these instances, learning new coping techniques can help us change our dangerous diet path. We have to relearn how to deal with life, but we’re not physically in over our heads. But in other cases, people need serious help. They need support and guidance in breaking the addiction, and they’ll need support and guidance for the rest of their lives. It’s an actual mental and physical addiction -- as real and as dangerous as any other.
When drug addicts finally face their demons and attempt to break their addictions, they often separate from regular life. They spend time with counselors away from the general public. They’re allowed to detox in a safe environment. Food addiction, as real as it may be, isn’t treated in the same way. Why? Because food is legal. So how do we break a food addiction and reclaim our lives?
Perhaps the best news of all is that food addiction isn’t necessarily a death sentence. It can drastically alter your life’s path, and it absolutely affects your overall health, but it can be broken. People can lose weight. They can change their behavior. They can overcome and learn new habits. They can succeed.
The key is to recognize the problem and reach out for help. Emotional eating, boredom eating, excess weight, and lack of impulse control may all signal a food addiction. Strong reactions to food or the lack thereof may signal a problem. Pay attention. Fight back. Addiction to food? Yes, it’s real. Get help, make changes, and let food be a life source without becoming your whole life.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.