Food Addiction: A Craving You Can't Seem to Control
By: Penny Butler, NaturalHealing.com.au
| When you suffer from food addiction, you have an overwhelming desire for a particular food.
The desire is so strong, in fact, that if you are unable to consume that food, you suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and depression.
Food addicts crave the comfort that a particular food gives them. They also may engage in binge eating. Their cravings for food may be both physical and psychological. |
|
It should be pointed out that there are different varieties of food addiction. For instance, there is compulsive overeating, where an individual goes on eating binges that can last several days. The addict may sometimes lose weight, but tends to gain it back again. Symptoms include eating quickly, compulsively eating alone, and eating when there is no evidence of hunger.
Yet another form of addiction is bulimia, in which an individual overeats, then purges either by vomiting or by taking laxatives. Signs of this condition include isolating oneself when eating, trying to consume huge portions of food rapidly, and being preoccupied with one's weight.
Food addiction can also come in the form of anorexia, where an individual attempts to starve oneself in order to achieve an unrealistic weight. Anorexics tend to be 15 percent below normal body weight and have a phobia about being fat. They have difficulty eating with other people and appear to be obsessed with weight. They may engage in ritualistic behaviour involving food and may suffer from depression.
The good news is that food addiction can be successfully treated. This treatment can come in a variety of forms. A food addict may work with a psychotherapist to develop new ways to deal with food and his or her emotions. The therapist might be able to identify the source of the individual's fear or anger-the reason behind the individual's addiction. In the majority of cases, the psychologist will help the individual to develop a treatment plan which spells out expectations and goals, both for the short-term and the long-term. In the most serious cases, an individual may have to undergo in-patient treatment at a psychological facility. Treatment often involves helping the individual to return to healthy eating methods, dealing with the underlying emotional causes of addiction, and learning effective coping techniques.
Food addicts often follow the tenets of the same kind of 12-step program used by alcoholics. This involves admitting their powerlessness over food, their belief that they could be restored to sanity, and an admission of their faults and failings. In addition, food addicts often draw strength from support groups made up of people who have similar difficulties dealing with food. Just knowing that there are other people who face the same challenges can be incredibly therapeutic.
It is unclear at this point whether food addiction is a genetically-based illness. Certainly, however, there is evidence of eating patterns being passed down from one generation to the next. In fact, many food addicts may only seek help after they have determined that their illness could adversely affect their children.
It is entirely possible that a food addiction can never be cured, that it can only be treated. In other words, the recovery period for the addiction can last a lifetime. However, one should never lose hope of beating a food addiction. With patience and with time, individual addicts can learn the behavioural skills which will enable them to keep their weight under control. Of course, there will be times when individuals will be tempted to indulge in sweets or excessive carbohydrates. However, knowing the pain that they will undergo if they continue their harmful eating habits could be just the incentive they need to stay the course.
Author HerbalCleanse.com.au
(Feel free to use this article online and in your email newsletters as long as you leave it intact and do not alter it in anyway. The by-line, disclaimer, and link to herbalcleanse.com.au must remain in the article.)
For more information on Natural Healing methods, and Natural Cures, visit us on the web.
===
DISCLAIMER:
This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
===
Food Addiction: A Craving You Can't Seem to Control
The Secrets to Weight Loss After Pregnancy
The Atkins Method: Is it Right for You?
Carbs: The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy
Don't Skip Breakfast If You Want to Lose Weight
Are You a Carb Addict?
Childhood Obesity-The Modern Health Dilemma
The Detox Diet: Losing Weight the Natural Way
Beware of Diet Fads When Trying to Shed Pounds
Emotional Eating: A Prime Ingredient for Obesity
When Trying to Lose Weight, Don't Forget to Exercise
The GI Diet: Part of the War on Fat
Losing Weight by Thinking Green
A Lesson in Eating-the Right Way
Losing Weight, the Jenny Craig Way
The Low-Cal Approach to Weight Loss
The Mediterranean Diet: Healthy Dietary Advice from Across the Sea
Mind Over Matter: Key Strategies for Weight Loss Success
Staying Motivated: An Important Factor in Weight Loss
Misconceptions Abound About Weight Loss
The Federal Government's Take on Weight Loss
NutriSystem: Weight Loss is All in the Planning
Eat More and Lose Weight with the Ornish Diet
Pectin: A Key to Long-Term Weight Loss?
The Raw Food Diet: Will It Work for You?
If You Want to Lose Weight, Stay at Home
Reward Your Way to Weight Loss
Learning to Say No-The Secret to Weight Loss
When Fast Weight Loss Becomes Unhealthy
Shopping Your Way to Weight Loss
Slim-Fast: Drinking Your Way to Weight Loss
Surgery: A Weight Loss Plan for the Toughest Cases
Diet Plan in a Bun: The Subway Approach
Eating the Sugar-Free Way
Sugar Busters: The Diet Sensation
Taking Stock of Yourself
Turn Off the Tube and Watch the Pounds Melt Away
The Food Diary: The "Write" Way to Lose Weight
The Psychology of Weight Loss
The Diet Pill: A Quick Fix?
Thinking Like a Thin Person
Exploring the World of Diets
The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution
The Vegetarian Diet: A Weight Loss Solution?
Getting in Step with Weight Loss
Water: The Hidden Diet Ingredient
The Weight Watchers Approach: It's All in the Points
Dieting: It May be All in the Timing
Why Your Diet May Not Be Working
Eating in the Zone-A Revolutionary Diet Choice
Return to Articles
Latest News around the world on Weight Loss (updated daily):
Accelerated weight loss may precede diagnosis of Alzheimer's
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Normal aging is associated with weight loss; however, a new study suggests that weight loss may accelerate before the onset of clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease. free loss program training weight
The Internet is a niche market ripe for Ezines on free loss program training weight. A free loss program training weight Ezine may include tips, articles or relevant information on free loss program training weight. These articles should be well right to the point. Subscribers do not have a lot of time to read big articles unless you are sharing new groundbreaking information. Try to determine what Ezines already exist on free loss program training weight. They may only cover once aspect of free loss program training weight. Authors who launch a free loss program training weight Ezine are only successful if they remain true to their subscribers. They have taken the time to write because they are interested in free loss program training weight and seek to service that field. Rapid Weight Loss Cabbage Soup Diet Recipt
Sugar is often used to replace the flavor that is lost when the fat is removed. New. more tools ediets mobile Replace convention diet and weight loss programs. diet and weight loss drugs are not a cosmetic solution for weight loss, neither are they intended to After making a change it will take permanent and part of your daily life. about six weeks before a change becomes Gift certificate. buy a redeem or New business tackles weight loss
Weight Loss & Diabetes Management, a home-based business that provides individualized weight loss programs for people dealing with health issues, has opened. New study weighs benefits of exercise, diets
While exercise and weight loss are equally effective ways to lose weight, exercising helps to maintain muscles, new research finds. counter loss over product weight
The Internet is a niche market ripe for Ezines on counter loss over product weight. A counter loss over product weight Ezine may include tips, articles or relevant information on counter loss over product weight. These articles should be well right to the point. Subscribers do not have a lot of time to read big articles unless you are sharing new groundbreaking information. Try to determine what Ezines already exist on counter loss over product weight. They may only cover once aspect of counter loss over product weight. Authors who launch a counter loss over product weight Ezine are only successful if they remain true to their subscribers. They have taken the time to write because they are interested in counter loss over product weight and seek to service that field. Acupuncture Weight Loss Secrets Revealed!
Acupuncture weight loss is a new field in a way. Although acupuncture itself is ancient, it does not have a long history of being used for weight control purposes. Only modern living has brought obesity to a level that has seen both medical practitioners and patients searching for a cure for weight loss. Hence, the birth of acupuncture weight loss research. Premium Hoodia Patch Suppresses Appetite, Aids Weight Loss
Premium Hoodia Patch uses all-natural Hoodia Gordonii to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss in a new weight-loss patch. [eMediawire.com Oct 18, 2006]
|
