Healthy Lifestyle Tips ~ Are You Addicted to Certain Foods?

Do You Have a Food Addiction?

An online article in Healthline describes food addictions and lists 8 symptoms.

Food addiction involves the same areas of the brain as drug addiction. Also, the same neurotransmitters are involved, and many of the symptoms are identical (2Trusted Source). Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the reward centers of the brain. These effects are caused by brain neurotransmitters like dopamine (3). The most problematic foods include typical junk foods like candy, sugary soda, and high fat fried foods. Food addiction is not caused by a lack of willpower but believed to be caused by a dopamine signal that affects the biochemistry of the brain (4Trusted Source).

There is no blood test to diagnose food addiction. As with other addictions, it’s based on behavioral symptoms.

Here are 8 common symptoms of Food Addiction

1. frequent cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal
2. starting to eat a craved food and often eating much more than intended
3. eating a craved food and sometimes eating to the point of feeling excessively stuffed
4. often feeling guilty after eating particular foods — yet eating them again soon after
5. sometimes making excuses about why responding to a food craving is a good idea
6. repeatedly — but unsuccessfully — trying to quit eating certain foods, or setting rules for when eating them is allowed, such as at cheat meals or on certain days
7. often hiding the consumption of unhealthy foods from others
8. feeling unable to control the consumption of unhealthy foods — despite knowing that they cause physical harm or weight gain

If more than four to five of the symptoms on this list apply, it could mean there’s a deeper issue. If six or more apply, then it’s likely a food addiction.