3 Ways To Overcome A Food Addiction

When most people think of addiction, drugs and alcohol are often the first things to come to mind. However, food addiction is very real and can harm your mental and physical health. 

While food doesn’t necessarily contain the same damaging chemicals and compounds as many drugs, it can create a similar effect on the brain. It can make you feel “euphoric” for a while, or forget about the struggles you’re dealing with. 

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with reaching for “comfort” food once in a while. However, there’s a very clear line between enjoying a scoop of ice cream and feeling like you won’t be able to survive unless you eat the whole tub. 

Food addiction can fuel depression and anxiety and can lead to lasting health issues including obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. If you’re struggling to overcome food addiction, put these suggestions into practice. 

1. Recognize Your “Trigger” Foods

Many people who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction have triggers that lead them to their substances of choice. You might deal with the same triggers when it comes to food. 

First, certain situations could trigger you to overeat. Maybe it’s stress, maybe it’s overwhelming sadness. Or, maybe you’re triggered when you’re in specific situations or around a certain person. 

Understanding that trigger is the first step toward overcoming addiction. 

However, it’s just as essential to understand your trigger foods. Is there something you can’t stop eating once you start? If a certain item is in the fridge or pantry, do you have to eat it? Recognizing and eliminating these foods can help you start to take control of your addiction.

2. Eat More Mindfully

Mindfulness has become an increasingly popular practice in recent years. It’s a fantastic way to slow down your mind and body and pay attention to the present. 

While mindfulness is often used to combat stress and anxiety, you can also practice it while you eat. 

Being mindful makes you think before you eat, so you’re less likely to consume more than you really need or want. Take a bite of food and put your fork down. Concentrate on how it tastes and how it makes you feel. Do that for each bite, and you’ll be more likely to appreciate your food and recognize when you should stop eating.

3. Seek Out Help

If you’re using food as a way to numb your feelings or deal with stress, you could be doing more harm than good. It's not a long-term solution. 

It’s easy to assume that food is “better” than trying drugs or alcohol, but when the consumption of food is abused, it can be nearly as dangerous. Typically, there’s something more serious going on if you’re relying on food to provide comfort or simply to get through the day. 

If you’re struggling with food addiction and recognize that it’s become a problem, don’t feel like you have to deal with it on your own. First, reach out to friends and family. It’s essential to have a support system when you’re going through a difficult time. Making other people aware of your addiction can also help you stay on track. They can look out for you and serve as accountability partners. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help if you’re really having a hard time overcoming your addiction. There’s a good chance something beneath the surface is causing it, and those issues need to be addressed and worked through. Feel free to contact me to set up an appointment for anxiety hypnotherapy. We’ll get to the bottom of your food habits and work on steps to overcome the addiction once and for all.