Overeating addiction: Dos and Don’t's

Overeating addiction is a type of eating disorder where a person eats large amount of food in an uncontrolled manner. They may eat that large amount of food at one sitting or maybe snacking throughout the day. So what could you do to help alleviate this food addiction? Here are a few dos and don’t that you should know when dealing with an overeating addiction.

Five rules to go by:

1. Do eat slowly. Eating quickly encourages overeating. Chew your food slowly and take your time. What is your rush? You won’t be enjoying your food if you just swallow it all down in a hurry. Over eaters tend to eat very fast and are actually full before they realize it. So eat your food slowly!
2. Do eat right. Always eat a well balanced meal. You could plan your meals for every week in advance so that you can keep track of what you are eating. On the list, make sure there are balanced portions of meat, vegetables and fruits!
3. Do eat vegetables, fruits and grains. They are healthy snacks and a healthier alternative than all the fast food out there.
4. Do fill your weekly schedule with exercise. Plan family outings at the parks. Bring your bikes along. Go for a jog every evening or fill your nights with dance classes or yoga classes.
5. Do all these activities together with your family! A positive family support is the best way to keep your resolution going!

Five things you need to avoid:

1. Do not ever skip a meal. Skipping meals deprive your body of important nutrients and makes you weaker and more vulnerable to your body’s cravings.
2. Do not hoard food. Admit that you have a problem. If you are embarrassed about it, don’t compensate your guilt by eating in secret and hoarding food.
3. Don’t include deep fried food or fast food as part of your diet. Replace these with food that have been sautéed, baked, boiled or grilled.
4. Don’t rely on crash diets. If you are feeling guilty about your habit, seek professional help. There is always a better and healthier route for you to get rid of this habit.
5. Don’t procrastinate! Don’t start your new day tomorrow. Start it now for a better and healthier you! 

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Food addiction: the psychology of it

What the exact cause of food addiction is, is not known. However, there is an emotional element attached to all food addictions. To make it clear, most people turn to something as a coping mechanism when going through a stressful or traumatic period in their life. For some it may be alcohol or smoking and for others, it may be food. If you chose the latter, you may be a compulsive eater or in other words, you are addicted to eating. Most food addicts suffer shame and depression because of their addiction. So how does food addiction start and what is the psychology of it?

Food addiction like any other addiction starts in the brain. Every time you feel upset or stressed, you think of ways to relieve your stress. So for some it may be chocolate for example. The brain will then make an association, that when you are stressed, you need food. The brain then concludes or rationalizes that eating food equals to relief. This association is normally made in the childhood where eating habits are formed. Compulsive over eaters have never learned an effective healthy way of dealing with their emotions and instead turn to food as a means to deal with their emotions.

Combined with the emotional element, food may also have a physiological addictive element as well. What food is to a food addict is like what alcohol is to an alcoholic. Therefore like the drug addict or alcoholic, when attempting to cut down on foods, they may experience both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms.

Furthermore, during certain period of the year, we tend to have celebrations or occasions that centers on food. It is like an invitation to be the glutton that you have always wanted to be. Occasions such as new years or thanksgiving where you have food like the turkey. These events promote and encourage your food addiction even more. So how would you be able to cut it down when everybody seems to be just encouraging you to eat?

In conclusion, food addiction should not be looked on so lightly as compared to other addictions like alcohol and drugs. Food addictions come with its own long term health complications and professional help should be sought before it is too late. 

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By the way, do you want to learn more about weight loss for women? If so, go to my website and download my free guide, how 10 Best Resources for Women's Weight Loss Report: http://rosacrumpton.com/

 

5 signs of an overeating addiction

Compulsive overeating is classified as an eating disorder. The individual consumes large amount of food sometimes at one sitting or they are just constantly eating throughout the day. So what are the signs of an overeating addiction that you could look out for? Here are 5 signs you could try and identify. 

 

Firstly, watch out for unusual eating habits. If they are eating fast and uncontrollably even if they are not feeling hungry any more. They are more likely to hoard food because they tend to have secretive eating habits for fear of being judged by other people over the amount of food that they are eating.

Secondly, some over eaters use eating as a coping mechanism. They may use it as an outlet to vent their emotions. Remember to pay close attention to the emotions that the individuals are going through. The individual might be feeling strong emotions such as depression, mood swings or anxiety. Sometimes they eat to feel better of themselves and afterwards they start feeling guilty for the large amount of food that they have just consumed.

Thirdly compulsive overeating can also cause health complications to the compulsive eater. One sign to identify are if they are experiencing shortness of breath, being easily fatigued, or excessive sweating. Other signs may include insomnia or poor eating habits.

Fourthly, compulsive over eaters often go through major changes in weight. They feel guilty for consuming so much that they may go through a period of chronic dieting. This is to lose back all the weight that they have gained. So be sure to pay attention if there are dramatic changes in physical appearances or fluctuations in weight.

Lastly, you may also observe if the person withdraws or isolates themselves from friends or families. They usually lose interest in other activities and are more constantly thinking about food or their body weight. So start paying attention, especially if they appear distant and indifferent towards other people.

Most of all, if you do notice a loved one who may be a compulsive eater, do have a talk with them. If they permit it, seek professional help. It is better late than never before their compulsive overeating leads to much worse health complications. 

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By the way, do you want to learn more about weight loss for women? If so, go to my website and download my free guide, how 10 Best Resources for Women's Weight Loss Report: http://rosacrumpton.com/