Food Can Be Addictive

Replacing food habits is challenging

Why is food so addictive??It’s difficult to unravel the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of eating.?After all, we start eating immediately and it’s a lifelong activity.?It is connected to memories, habits, tradition, customs, culture, smells, and creativity.?

I always longed to be one of those people who didn’t think about food 24/7.?Who didn’t finish lunch and wonder what was going to be dinner.?I have never cooked.?I never learned.?My Mom worked, was divorced with two kids very young and we ate dinner with my grandparents down the hall almost every evening.?My maternal grandmother was a diabetic as long as I knew her, taking her insulin shots each day.?Her cooking was good but bland as she stuck to her rigid diet for health reasons.?It was after she died that my grandfather went out for Chinese food and other off limit foods.

Are you one of those people that has always had a normal relationship with food??I envy you and hope you will pass this on to someone who doesn’t.?If, like me, you are still figuring it out, have weight to release, health challenges to conquer and have been on the famous diet-go-round, please read on.

?Here are some key factors that contribute to the addictive nature of food:

1.???Biological factors: Our brains are wired to seek out and enjoy calorie-dense foods. This is an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive in times of food scarcity. Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, in the brain. This dopamine release creates a sense of pleasure and reinforces the desire to consume such foods. Think of chocolate. Besides being wired that way, conventional marketing wants us to believe that the calorie dense, hamburger, fries and Snickers bar are JUST what we need.

2.???Sugar and processed foods: Highly processed foods, including those rich in added sugars, can have a particularly addictive effect. Consuming sugar activates the reward centers in the brain, leading to a craving for more. Sugar also affects the brain's reward system and can create a cycle of cravings and overeating. I don't think anyone would argue with this. How about no dessert until you finish everything on your plate? I do know people who have no interest in sweets and I envy them. The amazing thing is, once you stop eating sugar, you don't crave it. What does that tell you? A strawberry is so very sweet when not in competition with candy, cookies and cake.

3.???Emotional factors: Food can be associated with emotional comfort and stress relief. Many people turn to food as a way to cope with negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anxiety. The act of eating can provide temporary pleasure and distraction from emotional distress, leading to a reinforcing cycle. Some people also turn to food when they are nervous, excited and tired. No matter what emotion is driving you to eat, taking a good look at those times can help you distinguish them from real hunger.

4.???Conditioned responses: Repeated exposure to certain foods can create conditioned responses that reinforce cravings and addiction. The brain forms associations between the sensory cues of a particular food (such as its smell, taste, or appearance) and the pleasurable feelings experienced upon consumption. These associations can trigger cravings even when we're not physically hungry. These associations and memories are not necessarily negative. Positive memories and associations brought on by smells and taste bring back happy times. Enjoy those food associations but understand that as a healthy adult, you can take charge of how often you indulge in them.

5.???Social and environmental factors: Our surroundings play a significant role in food addiction. The availability and accessibility of highly palatable foods, constant exposure to food advertising, and social pressure to eat certain foods can contribute to addictive behaviors. Additionally, social activities often revolve around food, making it harder to resist indulging in unhealthy options. Once again, advertising, food placement in stores, peer pressure at activities and our convenience oriented lifestyles can help sabotage our best intentions. Understanding this, being prepared (look at the menu before going to a restaurant) and not condemning ourselves for the occasional not-so-healthy choice will all help replace behaviors we would like to alter.

It's important to note that not all individuals develop food addiction, and individual susceptibility can vary. Genetic factors, personal experiences, and other underlying conditions can also contribute to an individual's susceptibility to food addiction. Seeking help from a health coach, dietitian, nutritionist or other healthcare professional can give you added ammunition to create the healthy relationship with food that you desire.

Neither Maynestreet Weight Loss, LLC nor its representatives are medical doctors, psychiatrists, or psychologists and as such cannot diagnose medical and/or psychiatric problems. Maynestreet Weight Loss, LLC and its representatives base their recommendations within the framework of health coaching and hypnosis training and do not intend to prevent, treat, or cure, mental and/or physical disease. Maynestreet Weight Loss, LLC and its representatives are not a substitute for a person’s medical physician, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist – but are happy to work with those professionals upon request.