Here are the symptoms of being a compulsive eater or a food addict...

Here are the symptoms of being a compulsive eater or a food addict...

    Food addiction, although controversial, has recently gained attention in scientific literature, as it comes under the realm of atypical eating disorders. We all over-eat occasionally. However, a food addict eats too much food and mostly indulges in the wrong kind of food all the time. It may be associated with an obsessive and compulsive relationship with food – where an individual indulges in frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating, else experiences anxiety if he is unable to do so. However, this may have serious health implications in due course.
    Nutritionist and obesity consultant Naini Setalvad says, “Food addiction basically means a person eats uncontrollably, for reasons besides hunger. One reason for this is the neurobiological imbalances in the levels of the chemical, serotonin. Once its levels drop in the body, a person feels low and needs to eat again. This leads to overeating, which in turn leads to feelings of guilt, depression, mood swings, weight gain and a reinforcement of low self-esteem. Because of this, a person looks to food for comfort and the vicious cycle continues.”
    How can one overcome it? “One way is by breaking the cycle. If it is a severe case, then psychological treatment must be accompanied with a healthy food plan. Replace addictive foods with healthy ones, which also boost the mood and serotonin levels. Stick to whole grains, fresh fruits, nuts, seeds and make vegetables a habit. Also, drink lots of water. These foods not only comfort a person, but also take away the ‘guilt’ factor. You can eat three mangoes and not worry about the amount of fat you have eaten, since there is none. However, the natural sugar in mangoes perks a person and makes him feel better,” says Setalvad. If you are addicted to food, it’s time to take an honest look at your life and make a commitment to loving yourself.
Control food addiction Identify whether craving is physiological or psychological. Distract yourself from the problem situation for 45 minutes to an hour or until the compulsion to eat passes. If the craving persists, eat very small amounts. Opt for healthy substitutes. Try gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash – the ‘wanting to eat’ may just fade away. Exercise. Relax with deep breathing exercises and meditation.

Treatment If you have an atypical eating disorder, then the type of help you get will depend on whether your problems are mostly like anorexia or bulimia. If you are over 18, then you may be offered a special type of cognitive behavioural therapy, which is aimed at people with binge eating problems. Or you may be offered other types of therapies, such as inter-personal therapy or modified dialectical behavioural therapy. If you are under 18, you may also be offered these therapies, but the person helping you needs to make sure that they are suitable for your age.