More on Food Addictions

I'd like to address some of the responses to an earlier blog about food addictions. Many wrote passionately of their personal stuggles and ways of coping. The blog title was "are food addictions real?" Judging by many comments, pehaps the title should have read "what are food addictions" ?

I do believe that food addictions are very real to many people, who struggle daily. The question is whether this is a biological drive, an emotional drive, or some combination of the two. From the feedback, it seems that there are many ways to deal with these overwhelming drives to eat. And, as with many body-issues, both biology and behavior need to be addressed.

In my own practive, I have seen that each response is so individual. For some, abstaining from the problem food is the issue. Many people "just do it". Out of sight out of mind. For others, the cold turkey approach doesn't work, and leads to deprivation and overeating. For this group, finding a reasonable substitute is a help. Portion control seems the least helpful when people are trying to make that initial change. Better to learn another way to manage.

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Is professional help needed to help manage these overwhelming urges to eat? You be the judge. When some of the strategies I talked about earlier do not help, it is important to reach out for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help, but a sign of strength.

What are your own views on food addictions? I'd like to hear from you - and learn how you define this term, and what it means to you.