Addiction is a word used often in today’s world. We all know there exist many harmful addictions. One can say addiction itself is harmful in one or other way. Though food addiction is common, addiction to food is one that is not so commonly discussed. As much as it is something not discussed commonly, it is increasing alarmingly with the changing lifestyles.

With detrimental long working hours, extreme conditions of stress at working place and the house we have a fast pacing life. A variety of food available at the drop of a hat, all we today have fallen prey to this addiction towards food. This is even without the knowledge of the consequences of this addiction. What seems like a harmless indulgence by periodical and continuous occasions can eventually lead to an addiction. The person is not aware of it at the subconscious level. One needs to be vigilant of his or her eating habits and lifestyle and make it a point to not fall prey to this evil pit. There have been recent scientific developments on the theories pertaining to food addiction. It deals with its symptoms and how to overcome the Food Addiction.

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As described by science, Food Addiction is a behavioural addiction. This is characterized by over-consumption of high fat or sugary foods. The psychological factor behind this is the unknown forceful drive to access and consume the food whether healthy or otherwise.

A more colloquial word used for Food Addiction is “Binge Eating”. This refers to people involved in overeating unhealthy amount of food with an impulse of having lost the sense of control. The physicians dealing obese patients chant in their ears first to fight this addiction if they have some of it.

The addiction is a game of the mind and the control over the mind. It is not a result of any addictive chemical properties of the food. Food Addicts have an impulse to continuously think of food. In cases when denied they tend to show behaviours which are deceitful. This is something like stealing and lying.

Food Addicts succumb to the positive or good feelings. These are stimulated by the consumption of certain foods. ( Even deeply fried oil may smell good but inherently it has a lot of negative factors ). This instigates an urge to eat continuously despite a full stomach. The higher the happy feelings generated from food, the higher are the chances to fall prey to Food Addiction. There are various physical, emotional and psychological consequences. They are digestive problems, heart disease, depression, obesity, and isolation.

Symptoms Of Food Addiction

Food addiction is the most vulnerable addiction that one faces, and in most cases it is not by choice. It is unlike a personal decision to have drugs or alcohol, it is a compulsion to want to have food frequently.

It is the little things that are the signs and symptoms of falling prey to this addiction. You need to be vigilant and keep a check on these symptoms, some of them mentioned below:

Consuming more food than one can physically tolerate

Feeling ill or breathing heavily after eating

Continuing to eat specific food even after the hunger subsides

Eating in secrecy or isolation/ Hiding away and eating

Indulging in various weight loss and diet control programs. In addition consuming huge quantities of food

Avoiding social gatherings due to lack of concentration on the congregation compared to the food

Feeling misfit in social events with feelings of not looking good

Decreased energy, increased fatigue and/or chronic pains

Lack of concentration

Eating when depressed or upset

Eating as a reward for a job well done

Becoming anxious, irritable and/or hopeless about certain food

Restlessness

Digestive disorders

Irritability

Constant change in mood

Avoiding socialising/ interactions for intense food cravings

It may be possible that the person falling prey to these symptoms might not be able to recognize these patterns and habits.

The loved ones and friends should keep an open eye to recognize any symptoms pertaining to food addiction. They should make the individual consciously aware of this.

There are several ways to cope with Food Addiction but is more important to identify that one has fallen prey to this addiction. So as to save them from the adversities that this addiction can cause in the long run.

How does one overcome Food Addiction?

Once you have realised the symptoms of food addiction, it is also important to be aware of the process to control it. Recovering from Food Addiction, will require efforts from friends and family and primarily from one’s SELF. As much as it requires efforts from self to control the urge to consume food.

There are several ways you can practice of bringing the urge under control. It starts with small steps to taking bigger leaps in the process of controlling the addiction.