Do we have to overeat to a slow gnarly death?
Food - the most legal resource there is when it comes to celebration, nourishment and livelihood. This form of consumption is usually left off as a serious addiction, because it doesn't cause a lot of immediate havoc. In fact, we are ardent food pushers ourselves. Encouraging others to dig in, feast, enjoy, overeat, and try anything and everything. In fact, many of us have an emotional response if our dish isn’t eaten in its entirety, or if the recipe isn’t asked for. Why is that?
As common as it was in the 1950s and 1960s, to offer alcohol and cigarettes at our dinner parties, or enjoy these with relish at a business lunch; society and disease awareness has changed our perception as to what is proper. Now restaurants outlaw smoking in their establishments and people can be fired for having a drink at lunch and returning to the office after ingesting alcohol.
That doesn't exist with food. In fact, more and more all you can eat buffets continually pop up, which encourage the patron to indulge in anything and everything. It's easy to slap down your money and go in and eat and eat. We assess those going up for more than one trip, and if they have extra weight on them, it's easier still to judge others for their ‘weak willpower’. It's easy for us to pin that label on them because we may have some willpower - so we believe.
That type of thinking is pure bull. Just like a person who is addicted to alcohol, gambling, and narcotics; a compulsive overeater has some faulty wiring which causes a " more" button to be triggered when ingesting certain things. Many times, those things are sugar (sugar, corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, agave syrup, stevia, sucrose, fructose, barley malt, dextrose, maltose, rice syrup, etc.), salty and fatty foods come in at a close second. When a food addict eats these types of foods the receptors in their brains light up like that of a cocaine hit.
According to Sugarscience, there is added sugar in about 75% of our packaged food! Holy wow. The next time you are in a grocery store, count how many aisles serve foods without preservatives compared to overly processed foods with added sugar, salt, and fat.
How many of us can relate (I'm not saying everyone is a food addict), but some of us have that one or two favorite things we overindulge in - in the fact that we can't help ourselves. But we do it anyway. That' s how it is with any addict on a recurring basis. They know better, but their bodies seem to have a mind of their own.
The insidiousness of being a food addict, is that overeating approaches as a slow death in the form of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Eating an entire cake in the car most likely isn't going to cause you to drive off the road, compared to snorting a line, or chugging a half-dozen beers.
Food is sneakier because the most obvious side effect for most people is gaining weight. But not everyone gains weight. Some restrict their food to maintain a certain range or binge on a food that can be consumed quickly and then vomited so that the calories "don't stick".
This is no longer a troubled teens' disease. This food addiction is a nationwide epidemic. It's snaked its way into our elders' lives. Food is readily available and does offer comfort- during the time of consumption and sometimes afterwards. It's a form of entertainment, we are encouraged to overeat. It can take the edge off chronic pain, it can stave off loneliness, and aid in getting some sleep (there is the food coma). It is perceived to help with dealing with the shock of a death, family troubles, and is an easy, acceptable way to socialize.
When meeting with your elder loved ones, make note. If they say “no”, they’ve had enough – honor that. As people age they need less; there is no need to overeat. If they are consuming sugar and processed food in high quantities, instead of adding a pie to the mix, bring in some fresh peaches, plums, or beautiful heirloom tomatoes.
Consider other ways to show your love. A bouquet of flowers, a manicure and pedicure, a massage, or having someone clean their house or car.
Help with observation and “0” calorie gifts. They’ll love you for it.
Resources – Non-profit organizations
Note: I’m focusing on this because they are nationwide and are self-supporting, meaning you offer a contribution rather than pay dues or fees. The meeting donations pay for room rental and keeping the library of books and pamphlets available to the members. In addition, these organizations are anonymous – people go by their name only and its practice not to talk about who you saw there and what you heard there outside of the meeting space. This creates a safe environment in which to share in a confidential environment.
15 questions of OA
- Do I eat when I’m not hungry, or not eat when my body needs nourishment?
- Do I go on eating binges for no apparent reason, sometimes eating until I’m stuffed or even feel sick?
- Do I have feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment about my weight or the way I eat?
- Do I eat sensibly in front of others and then make up for it when I am alone?
- Is my eating affecting my health or the way I live my life?
- When my emotions are intense—whether positive or negative—do I find myself reaching for food?
- Do my eating behaviors make me or others unhappy?
- Have I ever used laxatives, vomiting, diuretics, excessive exercise, diet pills, shots, or other medical interventions (including surgery) to try to control my weight?
- Do I fast or severely restrict my food intake to control my weight?
- Do I fantasize about how much better life would be if I were a different size or weight?
- Do I need to chew or have something in my mouth all the time: food, gum, mints, candies, or beverages?
- Have I ever eaten food that is burned, frozen, or spoiled; from containers in the grocery store; or out of the garbage?
- Are there certain foods I can’t stop eating after having the first bite?
- Have I lost weight with a diet or “period of control” only to be followed by bouts of uncontrolled eating and/or weight gain?
- Do I spend too much time thinking about food, arguing with myself about whether or what to eat, planning the next diet or exercise cure, or counting calories?
Have you answered “yes” to several of these questions? If so, it is possible that you have, or are well on your way to having, a compulsive eating or overeating problem. Your next step is to go to the Overeaters Anonymous website - oa.org and select ‘Find a Meeting’.
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Having a hard time talking with your parents or grandparents about healthy living and end of life planning? Critical Next Step is your answer with an objective view and perspective to help organize your personal affairs.
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