They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem because you can't change what you don't acknowledge. With that said, for the first time in my life, I'm admitting the obvious: I have a food addiction.Speaking Wrong At The Right Time is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I know where you're coming from, and you're not alone. I love food, and am constantly battling my weight. Food can be a drug when you're stressed, when you want to celebrate, when you're bored, or too busy to care.
One thing that stuck with me is this: Alcoholics can never touch another drink and be fine. Same with drug addicts. However, we can't stop eating - we do need food to live. So we're always walking that tight rope.
I do know that when I'm in a good relationship with food - eating healthy, clean foods, I feel better both in mind and spirit. And when I'm not maintaining that relationship, I don't feel good physically or mentally. But what helps me the most is to lose the sugar and the cravings that sugar creates for me - that's my weakness. When I shake that craving, my food cravings dissipate as well.
Everyone is different, I hope you find the path that works for you. Know that you are not alone.
Bravo Adam, I could replace your name with mine and it would be true.
I’m not sure if you’re aware but there’s an ongoing debate in the UK at the moment (where I’m from) regarding calories on menus and price boards. I think it’s a fantastic thing because it makes people realise how much crap is in a lot of store bought goods (go to any coffee chain and see the number of calories in their dry croissants or small slices of cake, it’s shocking!). Education is the only way to deal with the obesity epidemic (of which I admit I am one) and so this information can only be a good thing. Every day is a struggle to make myself think “you may want that now, but how will you feel in an hour?” Or realise that it’s better to enjoy amazingly delicious things once in a while rather than mediocre tasting food more often.
So it’s on our packaged foods, just not the “fresh” food in cafes, coffee shops or on menus in restaurants and pubs etc. makes a huge difference. Determined pushback from those I consider just want to bury their heads in the sand!
That is amazing framing for any obstacle we put in our lives. I am an addict..... This put control back where it belongs. Not that it makes it easier but does give a sense of responsibility and the ability to control. I will be using for my personal addictions.
But like most addictions, there are enablers and outright dealers. When the food pyramid changed putting carbs as what we should consume most with protein and fats the least, our health declined. It is the inverse of how we should eat. The grocery stores are full of garbage. A friend was in the hospital and I was shocked that they delivered coffee and food that was contraindicated for the oral surgery she went through. I went to the cafeteria to get her good food and most of it was garbage as well. If hospitals don’t make the connection, how are average people to understand?
I have struggled with this my whole life. For me, it’s more of a sugar/carb addiction than a general food addiction. When it gets out of control I have to go to zero added sugars, zero starch, zero baked goods for a few weeks to reset. And then I have to keep strict rules around it after that. I never do substitutions like diet soda because those still trigger my need for more sugar. Even fruit is limited. I joke that I can’t eat strawberries because they make me crave brownies. Once I’m on track, I give myself small breaks on weekends. But it’s when the small breaks become big breaks or the weekend stretches to three+ days that I know I’m slipping. It’s a lifelong battle but I didn’t admit to that until I was about 50.
There are so many factors influencing obesity in our country: a fast-paced life, the influence of big ag in government nutritional standards (fat replaced by sugar), the professional homemaker replaced by prepared foods, more cars and crowded streets reducing walkability. I'm so glad you wrote this as there seems to be a push to make obesity something to celebrate, just as some worship the other extreme of anorexia. I sometimes think the goal of those pushing unhealthy choices want us, the unwashed masses, to die off early. My weight moves up and down a bit, and I feel much better when at a reasonable weight. Thank you for sharing.
When I fast from food (mostly intermittent fasting) it does make me think of eating as an addiction. When I finally fasted for 3 days straight I felt empowered over that addiction. But it's been a while since then.
I got out of that Intermittent Fasting, but recently I have been doing the fast-5 (where you only eat in a 5-hour period a day) to get my appetite corrected. There is a book AC: The Power of Appetite Correction, which explains that. I know it helped me in the past because doing the Fast 5 for a weeks earlier was the only way I was able to fast for 3 days straight.
When I was a child, I was very skinny and people made fun of me and made me want to eat so I would gain weight so I wouldn't be picked on. Because of that and the "clean plate club" I started to eat more than I needed to, and that's a difficult habit to break, especially with our culture pushing food everywhere.
I commend you on your first step in your journey back to health and sanity. I have witnessed the same process repeated over and over again in my own life , as well as in those around me.
Keep up the good fight, you will never regret it and those you love will applause you for it.
At times it is a struggle but remember that anything worth having requires some commitment and a little frustration.
One of the biggest problems I faced is overthinking along these lines:
"There's no such thing as food addiction"
"Addiction, as a concept, is a myth"
And so on. Obviously you can't admit to your problem if you deny the existence of the problem. I was just in denial and covering it up with bullshit pseudo-intellectualizing.
Yes, addiction exists and people can be addicted to food and I'm one.
I have the same problem and you are right…it’s the fear of going back that keeps me motivated. I originally started in 2021 for fear of Covid…or fear of having to get the vaccine anyway (which I ended up having to take anyway for work). But then I got to a point where I just liked feeling better too and putting in all that work (I jog every morning), I’d think “I’m not going to waste all that work for a short term rush”. Anyway, I lost 60 pounds (I’m 5’2” so you can imagine). My keys along with finding healthy foods I liked was stop eating by 4-5 PM each day. If I got a nighttime hunger, drink some water. Anyway, praying for you!
This may be a tremendous over-simplification, but I think maybe you are looking at this a little bit the wrong way. You say that alcoholics can avoid alcohol and be fine, but that you have to eat in order to live. Yes, but an alcoholic needs to drink in order to live too, they just must avoid drinks containing alcohol. In the same way, you must avoid the foods that feed your addiction. Not all liquid contains alcohol, and not all food is sugar based. Rather than thinking of food as your enemy, you have to embrace the “clean” end of the spectrum and make food your friend.
Unfortunately, food has become an industry and, like everything else in our modern world, where there is money to be made there are abuses of power. There are many powerful lobbying groups that have a vested interest in keeping us addicted to sugar and other unhealthy food, and as a consequence we as a society are becoming progressively sicker.
You have taken a huge step forward in acknowledging your problem, especially publicly, and now it is time to repair your relationship with food, to really accept that not all food is equal, and that there are many tasty and fulfilling options available. Just as many of us have been able to endure significant hardship to avoid taking what we considered to be a harmful medical intervention (but still use some pharmaceutical products of our choice), so you must find the inner strength to resist the lure of harmful food whilst still enjoying healthier options.
I really appreciate your very public honesty and vulnerability. By speaking up and owning the issue, that gives you a much better advantage at overcoming it. For one, your mind is straight and you're not making any excuses. Two, you are seeking accountability. And, by talking openly, you have a great deal of support available that you wouldn't have, if you kept your struggles to yourself.
Another great thing about openly discussing the issue is that you are leading the way and making it easier for others to come forward and grapple with emotional overeating, too. There is strength in numbers and the encouragement that will result from open dialog will pay exponential dividends to everyone.
I don't know anyone who doesn't emotionally overeat, including myself. The last three years made this abundantly obvious to us all!
We all can help one another with this problem because collectively, we bring a wealth of insights, perspectives, and practical help that benefit everyone.
I know where you're coming from, and you're not alone. I love food, and am constantly battling my weight. Food can be a drug when you're stressed, when you want to celebrate, when you're bored, or too busy to care.
One thing that stuck with me is this: Alcoholics can never touch another drink and be fine. Same with drug addicts. However, we can't stop eating - we do need food to live. So we're always walking that tight rope.
I do know that when I'm in a good relationship with food - eating healthy, clean foods, I feel better both in mind and spirit. And when I'm not maintaining that relationship, I don't feel good physically or mentally. But what helps me the most is to lose the sugar and the cravings that sugar creates for me - that's my weakness. When I shake that craving, my food cravings dissipate as well.
Everyone is different, I hope you find the path that works for you. Know that you are not alone.
Thank you Paula. I appreciate you sharing your story as well.
In due time, I'll be where I should be weight-wise. I have goals in mind that I'm quickly reaching.
I am confident that you will do it Adam!
Thank you for sharing a struggle many of us share.
It's my pleasure.
Bravo Adam, I could replace your name with mine and it would be true.
I’m not sure if you’re aware but there’s an ongoing debate in the UK at the moment (where I’m from) regarding calories on menus and price boards. I think it’s a fantastic thing because it makes people realise how much crap is in a lot of store bought goods (go to any coffee chain and see the number of calories in their dry croissants or small slices of cake, it’s shocking!). Education is the only way to deal with the obesity epidemic (of which I admit I am one) and so this information can only be a good thing. Every day is a struggle to make myself think “you may want that now, but how will you feel in an hour?” Or realise that it’s better to enjoy amazingly delicious things once in a while rather than mediocre tasting food more often.
That's very interesting. I didn't realize that was missing from your goods.
So it’s on our packaged foods, just not the “fresh” food in cafes, coffee shops or on menus in restaurants and pubs etc. makes a huge difference. Determined pushback from those I consider just want to bury their heads in the sand!
Ah ok, I understand
Thanks for your bravery in sharing this, Adam. Cheering for you as you go through this health journey !
Thank you 😊
That is amazing framing for any obstacle we put in our lives. I am an addict..... This put control back where it belongs. Not that it makes it easier but does give a sense of responsibility and the ability to control. I will be using for my personal addictions.
But like most addictions, there are enablers and outright dealers. When the food pyramid changed putting carbs as what we should consume most with protein and fats the least, our health declined. It is the inverse of how we should eat. The grocery stores are full of garbage. A friend was in the hospital and I was shocked that they delivered coffee and food that was contraindicated for the oral surgery she went through. I went to the cafeteria to get her good food and most of it was garbage as well. If hospitals don’t make the connection, how are average people to understand?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I have struggled with this my whole life. For me, it’s more of a sugar/carb addiction than a general food addiction. When it gets out of control I have to go to zero added sugars, zero starch, zero baked goods for a few weeks to reset. And then I have to keep strict rules around it after that. I never do substitutions like diet soda because those still trigger my need for more sugar. Even fruit is limited. I joke that I can’t eat strawberries because they make me crave brownies. Once I’m on track, I give myself small breaks on weekends. But it’s when the small breaks become big breaks or the weekend stretches to three+ days that I know I’m slipping. It’s a lifelong battle but I didn’t admit to that until I was about 50.
There are so many factors influencing obesity in our country: a fast-paced life, the influence of big ag in government nutritional standards (fat replaced by sugar), the professional homemaker replaced by prepared foods, more cars and crowded streets reducing walkability. I'm so glad you wrote this as there seems to be a push to make obesity something to celebrate, just as some worship the other extreme of anorexia. I sometimes think the goal of those pushing unhealthy choices want us, the unwashed masses, to die off early. My weight moves up and down a bit, and I feel much better when at a reasonable weight. Thank you for sharing.
When I fast from food (mostly intermittent fasting) it does make me think of eating as an addiction. When I finally fasted for 3 days straight I felt empowered over that addiction. But it's been a while since then.
I got out of that Intermittent Fasting, but recently I have been doing the fast-5 (where you only eat in a 5-hour period a day) to get my appetite corrected. There is a book AC: The Power of Appetite Correction, which explains that. I know it helped me in the past because doing the Fast 5 for a weeks earlier was the only way I was able to fast for 3 days straight.
When I was a child, I was very skinny and people made fun of me and made me want to eat so I would gain weight so I wouldn't be picked on. Because of that and the "clean plate club" I started to eat more than I needed to, and that's a difficult habit to break, especially with our culture pushing food everywhere.
There is no hope for change without the rigorous honesty you have showcased in this post.
I struggle too, and just for today, God willing, I will stay true to my commitment.
One day at a time.
Thank you. Keep fighting.
I commend you on your first step in your journey back to health and sanity. I have witnessed the same process repeated over and over again in my own life , as well as in those around me.
Keep up the good fight, you will never regret it and those you love will applause you for it.
At times it is a struggle but remember that anything worth having requires some commitment and a little frustration.
Be blessed in all you do
Thank you and I agree with you.
God bless you too
I am confident that you will emerge from this struggle better than ever. That's trite to say, but absolutely true. Good luck, my brother.
Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.
As always I appreciate your honesty.
I am a food addict too.
One of the biggest problems I faced is overthinking along these lines:
"There's no such thing as food addiction"
"Addiction, as a concept, is a myth"
And so on. Obviously you can't admit to your problem if you deny the existence of the problem. I was just in denial and covering it up with bullshit pseudo-intellectualizing.
Yes, addiction exists and people can be addicted to food and I'm one.
Best wishes for you and keep fighting!
I have the same problem and you are right…it’s the fear of going back that keeps me motivated. I originally started in 2021 for fear of Covid…or fear of having to get the vaccine anyway (which I ended up having to take anyway for work). But then I got to a point where I just liked feeling better too and putting in all that work (I jog every morning), I’d think “I’m not going to waste all that work for a short term rush”. Anyway, I lost 60 pounds (I’m 5’2” so you can imagine). My keys along with finding healthy foods I liked was stop eating by 4-5 PM each day. If I got a nighttime hunger, drink some water. Anyway, praying for you!
This may be a tremendous over-simplification, but I think maybe you are looking at this a little bit the wrong way. You say that alcoholics can avoid alcohol and be fine, but that you have to eat in order to live. Yes, but an alcoholic needs to drink in order to live too, they just must avoid drinks containing alcohol. In the same way, you must avoid the foods that feed your addiction. Not all liquid contains alcohol, and not all food is sugar based. Rather than thinking of food as your enemy, you have to embrace the “clean” end of the spectrum and make food your friend.
Unfortunately, food has become an industry and, like everything else in our modern world, where there is money to be made there are abuses of power. There are many powerful lobbying groups that have a vested interest in keeping us addicted to sugar and other unhealthy food, and as a consequence we as a society are becoming progressively sicker.
You have taken a huge step forward in acknowledging your problem, especially publicly, and now it is time to repair your relationship with food, to really accept that not all food is equal, and that there are many tasty and fulfilling options available. Just as many of us have been able to endure significant hardship to avoid taking what we considered to be a harmful medical intervention (but still use some pharmaceutical products of our choice), so you must find the inner strength to resist the lure of harmful food whilst still enjoying healthier options.
Good luck with your journey!
I really appreciate your very public honesty and vulnerability. By speaking up and owning the issue, that gives you a much better advantage at overcoming it. For one, your mind is straight and you're not making any excuses. Two, you are seeking accountability. And, by talking openly, you have a great deal of support available that you wouldn't have, if you kept your struggles to yourself.
Another great thing about openly discussing the issue is that you are leading the way and making it easier for others to come forward and grapple with emotional overeating, too. There is strength in numbers and the encouragement that will result from open dialog will pay exponential dividends to everyone.
I don't know anyone who doesn't emotionally overeat, including myself. The last three years made this abundantly obvious to us all!
We all can help one another with this problem because collectively, we bring a wealth of insights, perspectives, and practical help that benefit everyone.
Blessings to one and all on this journey.