Food Addiction Symptoms

QUESTION: What are some food addiction symptoms?

ANSWER:

A food addiction is any disorder characterized by a preoccupation with food. Among the disorders associated with food addiction are anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating. Food addicts gain pleasure from the anticipation, availability, and ingestion of food.

Food addicts can also be obsessed with the amount of food they eat, with body weight, and image. There are times when a food addict will not even realize that they are addicted to food. To them, it is a way of life and not a problem. It is only in intervention from family and friends that the food addict will be able to admit to themselves they have a problem.

Early detection of a food addiction is vitally important to the recovery of a food addiction so it is important to look for the early warning signs of food additions.

Food Addiction Symptoms
If you suspect you or someone you know of having a food addiction, here are some early warning signs for you to look for to help you with early detection of food addiction.

• Obsessed with thoughts about food.
• Eats to relieve worry or stress.
• Eats until they feel sick.
• Feels anxious while eating.
• Worries or feels anxious while eating which results in more eating.
• Overeats because the food is there.
• Eats too fast so they can eat more.
• Eats everything on the plate even when they feel full.
• Feels guilty when they overeat.
• Hides food so they can eat in secret away from other people.
• Goes on a food binge after dieting or after trying to cut back.
• Does not like the feeling of being hungry.
• Sees food as something to be avoided or as harmful.

These are the most common warning signs of a food addiction. Remember, if you or someone you know has one or more of these signs, it does not necessarily mean they have a food addiction. If you are concerned that they are addicted to food, consult a doctor or health professional.