Eating addiction: 7 steps for treatment

Food addiction is a chronic condition characterized by obsessive eating and an inability to stop despite negative consequences. It involves symptoms such as cravings, reduced control over intake, and continued consumption despite negative effects.

According to research from The BMJ (British Medical Journal), 12% of adults are addicted to food, similar to alcohol and tobacco addiction. What sets it apart is that a large number of children are also addicted to food (12%).

Food is addictive due to the presence of certain substances like sugar and fat, which release dopamine in the brain, creating a feeling of reward. These substances can lead to an addiction similar to that of drugs.

Food addiction is treatable. Treatment includes self-help, support from a partner or friend, intervention, counseling, therapy, medication, or even treatment at a rehab clinic. A crucial aspect is an individually tailored approach.

When designing a diet for food addicts, it is important to avoid triggers and develop a balanced eating pattern. Food addiction often co-occurs with depression, where one condition can exacerbate the other through stress and emotions leading to overeating.

1. Self-help

There are several self-help strategies to overcome mild eating problems. Identify triggers that provoke unhealthy eating and develop healthy eating habits by eating regularly and in a balanced way.

Avoid restrictive diets, as they can worsen eating problems. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing techniques to manage stress can help prevent binge eating.

Another technique is to keep a food diary to identify patterns and triggers. Be patient; overcoming eating problems is a process that takes time.

2. Helping a partner or friend

To help a partner or friend with food addiction, it’s important to be understanding. Know that it’s a complex process. Make sure you educate yourself about eating disorders and avoid enabling unhealthy habits, such as buying trigger foods.

Be supportive but not overbearing, and encourage seeking professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Prioritize their mental and physical health above all else, and assist in preparing healthy meals and engaging in physical activities together.

Make sure to stay patient and remind your friend or partner that recovery takes time. Offer a listening ear and remain motivated and accountable in the support process. Encourage participation in support groups if necessary, and stay involved in their recovery journey.

3. Intervention

An intervention is the next step in stopping food addiction. Loved ones offer support, often followed by professional help. This approach focuses on the impact of food behavior on close ones, but setting up an intervention also requires professional guidance.

Sensitive handling is necessary, where compassion for the person in need is central, and confrontation and judgment should be avoided. It is the encouragement that opens up options for resources, and overcoming addiction starts with receiving ongoing emotional support.

4. Counseling

Food addiction counseling provides insight into negative eating patterns and teaches skills to manage them. It can assist with dealing with diets or finding the right resources to quit. It may also extend to therapies, though we will address those separately in the next section.

Group and family counseling provide a supportive environment where experiences and struggles can be shared, and work can be done to restore healthy patterns. Additional options like self-help groups, workbooks, and support through helplines can complement counseling and provide extra help in reducing or eliminating negative eating behaviors.

It’s important to find a therapeutic approach that resonates with the person’s specific needs to increase the chances of recovery. Sometimes, this also involves more intensive therapy.

5. Therapy

Food addiction therapy is a process that addresses negative eating patterns by developing understanding and skills. It includes various techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps identify and change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to the addiction.

Eördögh, Hoyer, and Szeleczky (2016) confirm that food addiction is a real phenomenon. Pharmacological and behavioral therapeutic methods used in treating addictive substances can also be effective in managing obesity.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on underlying causes and teaches how to cope with emotions. Nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian helps develop healthy eating habits.

6. Medication

Medication for food addiction can help manage eating behavior, although research by Leary et al. (2021) shows that while medication, bariatric surgery, and lifestyle modification have the potential to reduce self-reported symptoms of food addiction in adults, no significant changes were reported in studies with adolescents.

Medication is usually part of a treatment plan and can assist with available treatment options. It is important to take the right steps under professional guidance. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate can reduce impulsive behavior and lead to fewer binge eating episodes. Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed to improve mood and reduce binge eating.

7. Detoxing in a Clinic

Detoxing from food addiction in a clinic is intensive and provides a structured environment. Treatment often includes a combination of therapies, professional care, and nutritional support.

Detox centers offer a comprehensive care package, including inpatient services, as it is important to develop healthier eating habits with the help of experts. Individuals struggling with food addictions have the best chance to overcome them through this intensive care.

It is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare provider to determine which treatment is available and most suitable.

How to design a diet when you have a food addiction?

When designing a diet for someone addicted to food, it’s essential to create a balanced nutritional plan that includes all food groups. Focus on preparing meals for each day to provide regularity and structure, and limit triggers that promote compulsive eating by planning healthy snacks and meals in advance.

Ensure regular meals to prevent hunger, monitor portion sizes to prevent overeating, and identify and avoid foods that trigger binge eating.

What does food abstinence look like after detoxing?

Food abstinence after detoxing looks like a balanced diet with all food groups to prevent relapse. It’s important to focus on carefully prepared, regular meals to create structure. The consumption of planned meals, pre-designed to ensure portion control, is monitored to avoid binge triggers.

What are the signs and symptoms of food addiction?

Signs and symptoms of food addiction include frequent, intense cravings for food, difficulty controlling eating behavior, and overeating over an extended period. There is a preoccupation with food, where a lot of time is spent thinking about, planning, and anticipating food.

Causes of food addiction can vary, including emotional responses like coping with emotions, and a high level of certain nutrients such as sugar and salt that can have an addictive effect.

One can become addicted to specific foods such as energy drinks, healthy foods, sugar, and sodium. Consuming large quantities of these food groups can contribute to developing a food addiction.

What are the causes of food addiction?

Food addiction is caused by a combination of factors. Highly palatable foods, rich in sugars and fats, activate the brain’s reward system, similar to drugs, by releasing dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals lead to cravings and compulsive eating behavior. Individuals with a genetic predisposition may be more susceptible to food addiction, where their genetic makeup can promote addictive behavior.

Emotional factors such as stress and depression can worsen food addiction, where eating serves as a coping mechanism. Social and environmental factors, such as marketing strategies from food groups, can influence eating behavior and increase the consumption of addictive foods.

Is food addiction an eating disorder?

No, food addiction is not officially recognized as an eating disorder. Food addiction involves difficulty controlling the consumption of highly palatable foods. While it shares similarities with eating disorders such as binge eating, it is not listed as a specific disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

When is it food addiction versus binge eating?

Food addiction and binge eating disorder share similarities but also have differences. Both are characterized by compulsive eating behavior, but binge eating disorder is a recognized condition and is defined by recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control.

Can I be addicted to energy drinks?

Yes, you can become addicted to energy drinks. These drinks provide a quick energy boost, often due to high levels of caffeine, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Ingredients like herbal extracts, amino acids, and caffeine derivatives play a significant role in this. Despite providing energy, they can be harmful and lead to addiction.

It’s important to monitor the amount and frequency of consumption, as excessive use can lead to dependency.

Is it bad to be addicted to healthy food?

Yes, it can be harmful to be addicted to healthy food. This addiction is known as orthorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with the purity of food.

Individuals fixate on healthy eating, which can have negative consequences. This obsession can lead to social isolation, as groups or loved ones may be avoided to maintain food quality standards.

Is sugar addiction a form of food addiction?

Yes, sugar addiction is a form of food addiction. Sugar consumption provides energy to the body, and foods high in sugar can be addictive, leading to growing dependency.

Excessive sugar intake can cause health problems and exhibit behaviors similar to those seen in substance addiction. Studies have suggested that sugar can activate triggers that cause neurobiological adaptations, similar to those observed with drug use.

Is there such a thing as a sodium addiction?

Yes, sodium addiction is real. Sodium, essential for the body, helps regulate fluid balance. However, excessive consumption can lead to health issues like high blood pressure and stroke.

Studies suggest that sodium addiction may meet criteria for dependency, with symptoms like anorexia and nausea when attempting to reduce intake. Favorite foods often contain high levels of salt, making it difficult to control.

Is an addiction to dining out also a food addiction?

No, an addiction to dining out is more of a behavioral addiction than a food addiction. Food addiction involves losing control over the consumption of specific food groups, often associated with a strong craving for sugary or fatty products. In contrast, an addiction to dining out is often triggered by social or emotional factors; people enjoy the experience and atmosphere of restaurants, not necessarily the food itself.

Does food addiction often go hand in hand with depression?

Yes, food addiction and depression are often linked. Studies have shown that individuals with food addiction are at increased risk of developing depression, and vice versa.

People with depression may experience a lack of control over their eating behavior and use food to fill emotional emptiness. It is important to seek professional help when experiencing symptoms of addiction or depression.

Withdrawal symptoms of food addiction can be similar to those of other behavioral addictions. They include cravings, irritability and gloominess. As with other behavioral addictions, support from loved ones and guidance from a health care provider is essential.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of food addiction?

Withdrawal symptoms from food addiction include strong cravings for highly processed, sugary, or fatty foods. The body, accustomed to the high rewards of such food, experiences a shift when these foods are stopped.

Symptoms are similar to those of drug or alcohol withdrawal: anxiety, restlessness, irritability, headaches, sadness, and fatigue. People may feel weak, have mood swings, and struggle with concentration.

How does food addiction relate to other behavioral addictions?

Food addiction shares many similarities with other behavioral addictions. Both involve compulsive behavior despite negative consequences. In food addiction, it’s often calorie-dense, fatty, and salty foods that trigger cravings, making it resemble a dependency on addictive substances.

Official bodies do not always recognize food addiction as a separate disorder. Like other addictions, food and substances activate pleasure centers in the brain, similar to drugs like cocaine and heroin. Eating palatable foods leads to dopamine and serotonin release, which triggers cravings. Food addiction is a transnosographic construct that shares commonalities with gambling, drug, and alcohol addiction.