The Food Addiction Crisis

Do you ever feel out of control around food? Do your cravings keep you in bondage? Everyone talks about the obesity epidemic. Obesity is disruptive to our health and our economy. But I believe obesity is not the problem. The problem is food addiction. Obesity is just a symptom. Addiction used to be a term reserved for drugs or alcohol. But in today’s world, we have fast food and tempting treats full of fat, sugar and salt (and chemicals) available on every corner. These constant temptations are presented to us in colorful packages and advertised to us daily. These foods are expertly crafted by scientists (not chefs or dietitians) to tantalize our taste buds and yes… stimulate our brains to create excitement. This is deliberately done so that we want more. And we buy more to get the same “high” again and again. For some people, this leads to an addiction that must be satisfied until we are 20, 50 or 100 lbs. overweight or sick from some food-induced disease.

So, whose fault is it? As with most issues, this is a multi-faceted problem with many players involved. Our food has been modified from farm to table in several ways that human bodies have never had to deal with before. Food scientists spend hours in a lab creating the right mix of tastes and textures until they find what they call the “bliss point”. The goal is to make you addicted to the sensation you get so you want more. Is it easier for you to say no to broccoli or a doughnut? Can you pass on the carrots easier than you can on the ice cream? Unfortunately for many people, this is the problem. The more lab-created food we consume, the more likely we are to become addicted to it and lose our taste for natural whole foods. This leads to nutrient deficiencies, excess calories and ultimately decreased health and vitality.

So, what is a person to do? If you find yourself struggling with food addiction or just having a hard time making healthier food choices, try these 4 tips to improve your relationship with food. 1. Detoxify your body. As with any addiction, you must clear the toxin from your body. Some may start by weaning from it gradually. But usually, as with most addictions, it is better to stop cold turkey. Extreme measures are usually required to achieve this step. Avoid temptations at all costs. This lessens your body’s dependence on the food and breaks the habit. 2. Replace old temptations with healthier options. Don’t try to totally change your diet. Look for other ways to satisfy your cravings for your favorite foods by finding better options or healthier recipes to make your own version of the foods you love. 3. Avoid tempting foods. This means do not bring foods you cannot say no to into your home. Do not go to the same places you went before that offer these foods. Avoid situations that make you want to eat those foods. Avoiding temptation is much easier than saying no once you are tempted. 4. Find support from friends or family to make positive changes. Seek others with the same struggles through support groups, forums, or books to inspire you to stick with it. Changing old habits is much easier when you have others cheering you on or doing it with you.

We all have foods that tempt us more than others. Feel free to share what food tempts you and how you avoid overindulging. May this be the time to break unhealthy habits and choose who we want to be…without being in bondage to food. To good health!

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