The idea that a person can be addicted to food is gaining increased support and acceptance. Emerging evidence suggests that, for some people, the same reward and pleasure centres of the brain that are triggered by addictive drugs are also activated by certain food.
These reward signals can override the usual signals of fullness or satisfaction. The sufferer is compelled to continue to eat despite the negative consequences, that may include weight gain, low self-esteem and depression. Some people may use excessive exercise to remain weight stable to compensate for the additional calories being consumed. There is argument suggesting that recovery from food addiction may be more complicated than recovery from other kinds of addiction.
I help people suffering from food addiction. Through extended learning I have adapted successful strategies used to address other forms of addiction and applied them to food and eating. I have also identified psychological ‘tools’ that may help to facilitate better control and recovery. With my nutritional knowledge, I create new eating patterns that reinforce non-addictive behaviour, allowing the sufferer relief and an opportunity to eat in a more normal manner once again.
