BellaOnline Forums Family 12 Step Recovery Food Addiction

Alot people do not believe me when I say I have a disease called "Food Addiction" - wish I knew about my disease when I was younger.

At the age of 52, I have learn't to DAILY manage my "addiction" but not "tempting" myself with unnecessary food.

My biggest challenge is when I either get bored or stressed. That is when I head out the door for a "walk"........

Food can heal; food can hurt. Why is it so difficult to believe it can fuel an addiction? People are told, instead, that they lack will power. While some use food to sooth emotional problems, etc...there are those who do have food addictions. Good luck managing yours!

Hi Lyn:

Thanks for the kind words and yes it is a DAILY thing with me. Sometimes "minute by minute" (lol)

Like an alcoholic of drug addict, I have to limit my exposure to food and that is why I try to get out of going out to dinner - and take a gift card instead

It seems more people are celebrating with food......

Food can and is a very powerful addiction to many. In my research writing my book, I found that many alcoholics and drug addicts, particularly women, have food disorders as well. These are taken very seriously as many with food addiction/disorders are of a fragile nature. Not because they are weak but because food, something we must consume daily, is their demon.

Those of you with food addictions are no different than those of us with alcohol/drug addictions. It is one day at a time and we have to turn our will and lives over to a Higher Power...whatever or whomever that is for you.

Blessings,
Kathy

Eat scheduled meals at the dinner table. Don't keep food in your car, desk or nightstand. Lock your purse in the trunk when you go out so drive-thru restaurants aren't accessible. Find someone who will hold you accountable.

Hi Jerlin09:

Thanks for taking the time to share with us

Hello All,

Have you or has anyone been introduced to a group called OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS?

Head Office is in the USA, they are international and run daily meetings like AA or Al-Anon in many cities across the world.

Cheers

Hello there,

I asked about Overeaters Anonymous as I wanted to know if what they do helps people with eating disorders. I have a colleague here who has an anorexic daughter and things are very difficult.

If you have something to say it would be helpful, especially if it is from experiene and I say thanks.

Hi Lestie:

A few years back, well several to be exact - I did attend one of their meetings.

It is basically like Alcoholics Anonymous - use the same set up, but geared to food instead of alcohol.

With an anorexic daughter - personally, I don't think it would work as she has the opposite problem - not eating.

Overeaters Anonymous helps folks like myself figure out why they overeat, find solutions to not overeat and of course get support and encouragement from other members. The meetings are usually free unless the person leading the meetings decides to do membership fees.

From my reading - I would encourage the parent to get medical help ASAP. We are losing so many of our young people to this disease. Some hide it so well with wearing baggy clothes. They also recommend counseling that is geared to the issues that a person may be dealing with. Usually it may be low self esteem or peer pressure to be thin.

Hope this helps in some small way!

Thank you very much for your comment Angela, I will pass on what you say to my friend - her daughter is in therapy as we speak and so all of us friends are holding thumbs for a good result.

It also seems that it is a self image and a cry for attention - though just saying it like that doesn't seem to be enough for the damages caused by anorexia and the absolute defiance of everything anyone says to her.

What is it that makes children hate themselves so? What is is that will make a child hurt herself so?

Still, I am hoping for a good outlook.

Thanks again,

You are so welcome Lestie.

I struggle with my self image every day and right now overeating. What triggers my disease is stress.

Having had to walk away from the relationship I had for the last 4 years and starting over has not been easy. But EACH day I get right back up and TRY to do better than the day before.

I am so GLAD to see that you care as too many times people do not pay attention to the signs. In my family, people are talked about - no one offers to help or listen.

I have tried to explain this to my only child, now 25 as it is sometimes a trend that continues to future generations if it is not understood and dealt with.

My addiction is food - her father's is drugs, alcohol and living on the edge. I have had to forbid her from talking about him like everyone else does in his family. It took me several years to get to the point of understanding his demons. He was there for me and her the best he could. I don't know if she understands how serious these issues can be and as I observe her each day since I am staying with her for now - I am concerned.

All I can hope is that she learns something from my life as I have been very open with her about it. Sometimes we cannot save people from themselves - only they can.

Anyway, did not mean to be so long...

Hugs,

I definitely have food addiction. I can stay "sober" for a couple of weeks but then everything falls a part and I go ALL IN, offsetting any progress that I had made previously. Coincidentally I was at a seminar last night, they talked about small steps. There is a huge scale between eating healthy and unhealthy. Instead of taking the giant leap of going from unhealthy to healthy they discuss taking a gradual approach. Baby steps. Improving the various areas that make up healthy eating slowly so it becomes rooted and consistent. It made a lot of sense to me, got a kind of A-HA moment. So I will try this approach going forward

i' so sorry to hear that, and hope you are better now. It seems that may young children has the symptom of "food addition"

Food Addiction is like any other Addiction and you must fight against it I don't invite my enemies to my home so I don't let myself buy sweets and chocolates. It is easier to control myself in the shop So, if you are unemployed it must be harder Dr. Rachel Cohen Fridheim Political and Historical Sociology thin with fat history

Our bodies are set up to crave sweets. We evolved in a time when high calorie foods could save us from death. In modern times most of us are not at risk of starving to death, but those same underlying cravings exist for a reason. When we feel stress, we fall back on those "safety measures". And since there are so many stressors around us, they easily add up ...