Food Addiction?

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Feb 2, 2008

I was slender for a long time, though some family members were always scolding me about eating too many sweets. Maybe they didn't think I was slender. I'm 5'7" and graduated from high school weighing about 128 lbs. Lost a few in the first few weeks at college, then slowly gained so that I weighed nearly 140 when I graduated. The year I got married I changed my habits a lot and lost from 145 to 125. I was a perfect size 8! Weight crept on again so that when I got pregnant 5 years later I weighed 157. The day my twins were born, I weighed 203. Ten days later, I was down to 160. Since then, the trend has been up, and right now I'm at about 210. About 2 years ago I did Weight Watchers and was exercising at Curves, and lost down to about 186. I thought I could track points on my own and save money, but you see where that got me. Curves fell by the wayside because the only time I can do it is early a.m. (and I am *so* not a morning person) or at lunch, and I like the social outlet of going to lunch with a coworker.

*sigh* today I ate a whole bag of "Poppycock" (caramel coated popcorn with pecans)...

ricced · Feb 2, 2008

i tried several reducing formulas to decrease my appetite. then i got into this c-fiber powders that makes you eat less gradually. u just got to drink water from time to time coz everytime you have fiber in your body u need water to get rid of it. c for urself.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2008

I agree. Many people have addictions to food that are very real to them. 2/3 of all Americans fall into the overweight or obese category. I am sure that many, if not most of these individuals have some sort of addiction to food.

Food addiction is capable of killing people as swiftly as alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco. People die all the time from the complications of obesity-related afflictions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and so forth. In other words, food is harmful if not utilized in moderation.

rn/writer, RN · Feb 2, 2008

Food addiction is sometimes not taken seriously--think of chocoholics or getting a sugar fix--but if you've ever watched one of the shows about the super-sized folks who are struggling, it doesn't seem all that humorous anymore.

All you have to do is look at the crowd in a mall food court to see how strong this compulsion is. Just as with alcoholics, many people will tell themselves that they're not really addicted--they can quit any time they try to get serious. But just let them try, and then watch the sweat break out and their hands begin to shake with the effort.

This ranks right up there with nicotine, drugs and alcohol in level of challenge. Only, as some have pointed out, you can't entirely stop eating as you can with with smoking. Even quitting smoking is said to be "going cold turkey," and right there you have yet another reference to food.

Anyone who understands the true nature of addiction and addictive thinking would not hesitate to recognize someone willing to enter the battle. No matter what they see as their "drug" of choice, the fight is still the same.

nurseirma · Feb 3, 2008

My oh my...you hit the nail on the head!!! Food addiction is my best friend. I have even become morbidly obese and want to get help, maybe someone can offer some help in here. I eat when I am happy, sad,lonely, glad, up, down...you name it. I need help..I really do!!! My health insurance won't pay for gastric bypass because I'm not sick enough. So what the hell...I'm a healthy obese person??? C'mon, you think that the insurance would want to help me so that I can get off my meds and prevent future illness. We live in a real backwards society as far as the insurance companies are concerned. Anyway, I'm gonna try to get them to consider me again, I WANT TO LIVE!!! I just think that if I could get a little surgical intervention that I could work on the behavioral part and get healthy for once in my whole life. I have been heavy for as long as I can remember. I do want to be healthy as soon as I can. Any suggestions???

nurseirma · Feb 3, 2008

I am definately going to try to get the book, to try to save myself from myself. You all are so great and open in here, thank you to all that have posted, or will post!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!:innerconf

flightnurse2b, LPN · Feb 3, 2008

It can threaten and overwhelm your life just like smoking, drugs, or alcohol. that mind set is one of the reasons why people with COE are hesitant to get help... because they don't think food will kill them.

i am on the other side of the food addiction spectrum. i have been a relapsing and recovering anorexic and bulimic. i use food to punish myself... to gain some form of control over my life... and just when i think i have it under control, i find myself stressed out and wanting to restrict or purge.

i have been hospitalized numerous times for my eating disorders and also have been in many different day groups.... and there was a vast range of us there, sometimes you can't just look at someone and know that they are eating disordered..there are overweight anorexics, and underweight COE's. it is very interesting to see the stereotypes provided for people with various edo's such as anorexics are always 70 pounds, bulimics are alwyas chubby and coe's are always obese... because it is so very untrue!!!

there were anorexics, bulimics and compulsive overeaters there... all for the same reason.... one way or another, we are addicted to food and using it for control... whether it be eating for comfort, overexercising to compensate overeating, or not eating at all.... it is an addiction and a disease that encircles one important part of maintaining life.... eating.

i understand the food addiction and daily struggle with it. food terrifies me. eating is always an internal battle. but the first step in getting better is understanding that it is an addiction and sometimes its too much to try and overcome on your own.

i hope you guys don't mind me joining your group. :cheers:

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

Someone else pointed out that we can't stop eating altogether, but if I cut back the fat and calories I'm not going to suffer the same kind of physical withdrawal that an alcoholic does when he/she doesn't have a drink, or even that a smoker does when going without nicotine. I haven't experienced either of those (thankfully) so I can't assume that my missing food is anything like that.

I do have cravings (mainly for fat & sugar) and they can so overwhelm my mind that I can't concentrate on other things.

I actually really like a lot of healthy foods. I really like a lot of "unhealthy" foods. Which is to say, I like to eat.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

You named one withdrawal symptom though already.

I do have cravings (mainly for fat & sugar) and they can so overwhelm my mind that I can't concentrate on other things.

Just as a reminder to anyone....abstinence can often present symptoms of withdrawal for any behavior that has been overused and now absent. We just need to recognize and accept that as a fact for each other. I would like for us to not get in the mode of saying my habit is worse than yours or yours worse than mine...a habit is a habit, which is just uncomfortable enough all its own. There are discomforts in its overuse and discomforts when faced without it. We all can empathize with the discomfort...for we all share it in one form or another. We also can help each other to rise above it too. Hugs.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

Wow!! You guys read my mind. I think it's also tattooed on my rear right now. Before I went to rehab 7 years ago, I was not hungry when I was using or high. Actually, one of the nurses at the charity hospital where I was working and using called me "10 lbs thinner than a crack baby." If only they knew, or I guess they did. I lost 30 lbs in 30 days detoxing at home from opiates - MISERABLE - and gained 20 lbs in 28 days in rehab. During the last 7 years, my weight had stabilized to 140 lbs.

After LOTS of BP and cardiac problems, I have NO blue jeans, NO slacks, NO NOTHING that fits except pj lounge pants. Embarrassing! I had gotten to the point where my cardiologist is allowing some exercise, and when my hubbie and I wanted to go somewhere, it's like, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR????????

He is quitting smoking and kind of in the same boat. I started the Special k cereal and grilled chicked breasts and salad 48 hours ago and it is driving me nuts. I don't think I felt much worse detoxing at home from Demerol! Well, yeah it was worse, but this just stinks! And cooking other "good tasting" foods for my 2 stepsons and hubbie, it's hard not to hide in the laundry room or in the bathroom and smuggle a Big Mac out of my purse and not get caught!!

So far, 48 hours, and I haven't gone nuts(I don't think), or gotten caught sitting on top of the dryer wolfing down a "no no" food, as my 9 year old calls it. He is the captain of the food police! Ha!Ha! I think I'll order the book too and give it a try.

Glad I'm not the only one out there suffering!

Anne, RNC:nono:

nurseirma · Feb 5, 2008

I actually do have physical symptoms of withdrawal from not eating sugar. It is a true sickness for me.

casi, ASN, RN · Feb 5, 2008

Thank you to the persons who have created and posted in this thread.

I have a big problem with food, I go through peaks and valleys of acceptance and denial. I'm 24 years old, 268lbs and a size 26. This is the smallest I've been in almost 10 years. I've made a lot of perminant lifestyle changes over the years that have helpped. I no longer eat and entire large bag of M&Ms for breakfast or a bag and a half of barbeque chips for a snack. I've switched from regualar coke to diet and try to limit myself to no more than 2 cans a day.

I really have a love hate relationship with food. I understand that everything is okay in moderation and I understand that on occassion you have to splurge and get a doughnut... My problem is I'll go out and get three doughtnuts instead of one. I have trouble limiting myself to just one serving. If it tastes good and there is still some left, I'll eat it. If I only make enough for one, I'll go make another. I crave foods even if I'm full. Then when I diet I tend to obsess over what I'm eating. I'll read the boxes on everything and get panicy if I slip up...

I'm sorry this was so long, but it felt good to get out.

So those who have utilized programs like weight watches and over eaters anonymous can you explain a little bit more about them and their processes? I've contemplated looking into both as options, but I'm rather afraid to.