Food Addiction?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Does anyone else out there have issues with food?

I've had issues with food for as long as I can remember. In times of stress, boredom, turmoil, sadness, or uncertainty, food was the only enjoyable crutch in my life. My past weights have reflected my love-hate relationship with food, because I have constantly bounced from normal body weights to obesity to overweight, then back to normal BMI and so forth.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

So me is food addiction. From the age of 9 I can remember being overweight with the usual comments 'It's puppy fat will soon go' It never did and although I tried to eat healthy there was times I would gone and hit the destruct button and go mad. Even now after gastric bypass I have my moments of head attacks but really trying hard as now I have lost most of my weight I do not want to go back to what I was.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Food...the drug of comfort. Often, many folks refer to certain foods as their "comfort foods". The comfort it gives is a sensation of fullness, satiety, contentment...just like a warm afghan during a winter chill. However, food, like any other substance we place to our mouths, can be used appropriately or mishandled. It all depends upon the intent in why we place it there...so, the focus always comes back to us...despite the attraction it holds to our eye. Boredom is often a key trigger for food. Self doubt/self downing can also be a trigger in its overuse. Interesting, many folks who do have food issues may often "overuse trigger words" in their everyday language that relate to it, like ...eat, bite, chew, gnaw, choke, taste, nauseous, hungry, starving, et cetera. Sometimes, self monitoring of our word usage can help reduce the cravings. If you can't use a "mouth or belly word", what would be better words. Actually, these other words may even be more truthful and honest for ourselves. From there, change can often begin. Thank you both for acknowledging your difficulty with food. Please continue to share and assist others here who may be in a similar boat. Sometimes, one of the best comforts is simply "making a difference"....and being appreciated for who we are.

Hugs

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Totally addicted to sugar. My BMI reflects it and so does my body shape. As I posted in another thread, I just plain like to eat sugary things. I could eat sweets all day long. Sometimes when I wake up in the AM, literally the first thing that I think of is, "What sweet can I eat today?" That is how I know it is an addiction. I am working really hard, one small step at a time, to break it. I'm starting with my Oreo/cream cheese mix. Next step is Mountain Dew.

So far have been 48 hours without the Oreos. Baby steps....

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Well, I quit drinking and using illegal drugs years ago. That was fine. I quit smoking. That was 20. I got married. Another 20. Moved upstate and stopped walking and went to nursing school. Another 20.

I have noticed, for me, a direct correlation between being depressed and anxious and overeating that I didn't have when I smoked.

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I am a food addict and always will be. I am 54 years old. I use to weigh 240 lbs and now weigh 115 lbs. I am very fortunate. I found out exactly how to save myself. I found recovery with food addicts anonymous and overeaters anonymous. I lost 125 pounds about a year ago and am keeping it off. The book that saved my life is called Food addiction-The body knows by Kay Sheppard. It costs about $12 and is available at Food addicts anonymous 4623 Forest Hill Blvd. #109-4 West Palm Beach FL 33415;)

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Somebody else mentioned food addicts anonymous in the Health and Stress Management forum so I ordered the books from amazon. I can't wait. I've been a food addict all my life and my body shape reflects it.

I HEAR in my head all the time "I'm tired of living like this" but I can't find it in me to change. I watch "Biggest Loser" and think "what have they got? They've got drive because of a TV show. I could have drive if I had a TV show" Still I don't think so.

There are no meeting for FAA near me. Maybe we could set something up on line.

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RNSC-I'm so glad to hear that you have ordered this great book!!!! It answered all of my questions and told me exactly what I had to do to save myself. It's so nice to not have high blood pressure anymore or to get out of breath after a short walk. Best of all, I am no longer totally out of control with food binges and consumed with self-hatred. I have learned how to love and accept myself. Best of luck to you.;)

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I forgot to mention. There are no FAA meetings near me either so I go to OA meetings for support instead. I have heard that there are great FAA meetings on line for people who are computer literate and can figure out how to do it.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Oh yeah... I love food.. I love to eat.... I really wish I could be one of those people who can eat only enough to sustain life, but I'm not.

Sadly though, while alcohol and drugs are tough addictions to beat and you can live without them, you can't life very long without food.

So far, so good with the chocolate, but not so good with the junk food or ice cream (my biggest weakness next to a cannoli)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Almost 80 hours w/o the Oreos. :D

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Welcome me to the food addiction group. I have been fluctuating between 130 to well into the 200's for the last 16 years. Right now im on the higher end of that scale again. I was hoping when I started pre nursing courses that I would be soooo busy that I wouldn't have time to snack. Isn't working though. At 34 I am worried that the pounds will not drop off as fast as when I was younger. Its really depressing because the majority of my friends are thin.

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