About Food Addiction: Addiction To FoodBecoming Addicted To FoodStudies suggest that when a person has a food addiction, the normal process of becoming hungry and then becoming satisfied with food to stop your hunger is hindered. There are several factors which come into play during this process. Usually a person will not consider healthy eating or healthy foods when he or she has become a food addict. Choices are more spontaneous and not given over to healthy eating plans. However there are two specific hormones involved which may directly be related to a food addiction. Let's take a quick look at both of them here.
Ghrelin and Leptin HormonesThese two hormones are called ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is produced when your stomach is empty. When your stomach fills, this hormone stops being produced and your brain gets the message to stop eating.Leptin is involved with fat. When it senses that you’ve eaten enough fat, it sends a message to your brain saying you’ve had enough fat for the time being. Obese people tend to have lower levels of leptin and higher levels of ghrelin. This combination creates a persistent desire to keep eating.
Eating And PleasureAnother food addiction may be caused by pleasure. Eating is a very pleasurable experience for some people. So people tend to associate eating with the pleasure principle. This is where the term comfort foods really come into play.Eating foods high in sugar and processed foods with a lot of fat are the number one choice of food during this time. These foods are also usually chosen to eat when you are stressed or having some kind of emotional problem. eating disorders, go beyond anorexia and bulimia. Relaxation techniques and just sharing with someone your concerns may be a very beneficial substitute for this.
SerotoninSerotonin is a brain chemical. Studies have also shown this chemical to have an affect on the activities of eating. When a person has enough serotonin, it can depress the appetite. When there is not enough serotonin in the brain, the appetite may be stimulated.Food As A ConsequenceFood addiction may also develop from consequences from your upbringing. Food may have been used as a reward when you were growing up. You may have received a favorite treat when being good or for doing certain things like chores.Food may have continually even been part of a bribe. You know the familiar dialogue. If you do or don’t do this, then you’ll get this or that to eat. As a result of this type of behavior, food may have become an obsession. Later in life when a person is an adult, he or she may be preoccupied with food. Though it is plentiful, having the means to secure it when wanted, you may still feel that you have to have it with you all the time. Of course you can’t be eating all the time due to other regular daily activities one must do like work and sleep. However, this can create a serious problem with snacking. These may all be significant reasons for having an addiction to food. However, I’m sure there are other reasons not covered in this brief article. These reasons, plus others, dictate that we must all be diligent and have much perseverence when overcoming food addiction.
Diamond, Harvey. Fit For Life, A New Beginning. New York: Twin Streams Books, 2000. 28, 29, 33
Greene, Bob. The Best Life Diet. New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 2006. 77-80, 84, 85
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