EATING healthy and losing weight seems downright impossible for many people. Despite their best intentions, they repeatedly find themselves eating large amounts of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that it is causing them harm.The truth is, the effects of certain foods on the brain can lead to downright addiction. Food addiction is a very serious problem, and one of the main reasons some people just can’t control themselves around certain foods, no matter how hard they try.

WHAT IS FOOD ADDICTION?
Food addiction is, quite simply, being addicted to junk food in the same way as drug addicts are addicted to drugs.
It involves the same areas in the brain; the same neuro-transmitters, and many of the symptoms are identical. Food addiction is a relatively new (and controversial) term, and there are no good statistics available on how common it is.
This is very similar to several other eating disorders, including binge-eating disorder, bulimia, and compulsive overeating and having an “unhealthy” relationship with food.

HOW THIS WORKS
Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the “reward” centres in the brain, involving brain neuro-transmitters like dopamine. The foods that seem to be the most problematic include typical “junk foods”, as well as foods that contain either sugar or wheat, or both.
Food addiction is not about a lack of willpower or anything like that; it is caused by the intense dopamine signal “hijacking” the biochemistry of the brain. There are many studies that support the fact that food addiction is a real problem. The way this works is pretty complicated; there is no blood test available to diagnose food addiction. Just like with other addictions, it is based on behavioural symptoms.

SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS
You frequently get cravings for certain foods, despite feeling full and having just finished a nutritious meal. When you give in and start eating a food you were craving, you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to.
When you eat a food you were craving, you sometimes eat to the point of feeling excessively “stuffed.” You often feel guilty after eating particular foods, yet find yourself eating them again soon after. You sometimes make excuses in your head about why you should eat something that you are craving.
You have repeatedly tried to quit eating or setting rules (includes cheat meals/days) about certain foods, but been unsuccessful. You often hide your consumption of unhealthy foods from others. You feel unable to control your consumption of unhealthy foods, despite knowing that they are causing you physical harm (includes weight gain).
If you can relate to 4-5 of these, then you probably do have a serious problem with food. If you can relate to 6 or more, then you are most likely a food addict.
Food Addiction is a Serious Problem… Although the term “addiction” is often thrown around lightly, having true addiction is serious business.

Full-blown addiction. Nothing more, nothing less.
The reason I’m telling you this is to demonstrate that I know how addiction works.
I’m here to tell you that food addiction is the same as addiction to drugs… exactly the same.
The symptoms and thought processes are completely identical. It’s just a different substance and the social consequences aren’t as severe. Food addiction can cause physical harm. It can lead serious diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and depression, to name a few.
But you have even bigger reasons to quit than some unfamiliar disease in your distant future. Food addiction is also ruining your life… today. It breaks your self-esteem, makes you unhappy with your body and can make your life a living hell.
The seriousness of being a food addict cannot be overstated. This is a problem that ruins lives and kills people. Literally!!!

The Law of Addiction – Why You May Never be Able to Eat “Normally” Again
The most important lesson I have ever learned is called the law of addiction:
“Administration of a drug to an addict will cause reestablishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance.” A former smoker who has a puff of a cigarette will become addicted again… instantly.
An alcoholic who has a sip of beer will relapse; with all the horrible consequences that follow.There is no way of getting around it. This is simply how addiction works.
I am personally convinced that food addiction is no different. One bite of cake, one sip of coke, one “cheat” – that’s all it takes. Of course, we all need to eat something. Otherwise we’ll die of starvation. But no one needs to eat sugar; refined wheat flour or any of the modern junk foods that people tend to lose control over.
Most food addicts will never be able to eat junk food like “regular” people again. That’s the cold, hard truth. But if they manage to avoid the “trigger foods,” then they should be able to eat healthy and lose weight without problems. The truth is… complete abstinence is the only thing that reliably works against addiction. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you will recover.
Although the “everything in moderation” message may work for some people, this advice is a complete disaster for food addicts.When it comes to addiction, moderation fails. Every time… This is the simple (but not easy) solution to addiction. Avoiding the addictive substance at all times….

How to Know if This is Worth The Sacrifice
Completely avoiding junk foods may seem impossible.These foods are everywhere and are a major part of our culture. But believe me… once you’ve made the decision to never eat them again, avoiding them actually becomes easier.
When you’ve made a firm decision to avoid them completely, then there’s no need for you to justify anything in your head and the cravings may not even show up. Many people who have done this (including myself) don’t even get cravings anymore, not after they’ve made a profound decision to simply avoid this stuff… permanently.
But if you’re still in doubt and are unsure if this is worth the sacrifice, then write down a list of pros and cons. Pros might include: I’ll lose weight, I’ll live longer, I’ll have more energy and feel better every day, etc.
Cons might include: I won’t be able to eat ice cream with my family, no cookies on Christmas; I might have to explain my food choices… (Most of these social dilemmas can be solved easily).
Write everything down, no matter how peculiar or vain. Then put your two lists side by side and ask yourself: Is it worth it?
If the answer is a resounding “yes” – then you can rest assured that you are doing the right thing.