So first off, is food addiction a real thing? Yes. Absolutely! Just like alcoholics use alcohol to control, or bury, their emotions, so too do food addicts use food to fill emotional voids. The definition of "food addiction" is not having control over what you are eating, when and how you are eating it, and not caring about the possible harmful side effects of the food you are consuming.
Food addicts will often:
- eat too much despite consequences, even dire ones, to their health
- be preoccupied for large amounts of time during the day with food, food preparation, and meal planning.
- be roller coaster eaters; always trying, and failing, to cut back on food intake.
- constantly feel guilty, anxious, and paranoid about eating and especially over eating.
*Notice that NO WHERE in these detailed definitions of a food addiction does it mention weight. One does not have to be overweight in order to be a food addict. On the flip side, just because you are overweight does not mean you are a food addict!
Addiction of any kind boils down to a lack of control. Being an addict means that a substance, whether food, alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. controls YOU instead of you controlling it.
Food controls many many people without them even realizing it, and you may be one of them. A great exercise to do in order to test your relationship with food is the breakfast experiment. This is a great gauge for how much you allow food to control you.
The Breakfast Experiment
Monday - Eat only whole grains for breakfast. This includes whole grain bread, whole grain pastas, rice, quinoa, etc. Nothing processed or "white." (no oatmeal either). Drink coffee or tea
Tuesday - Eat a pastry of some sort. Whatever you prefer, but only pastries (something dessert-ish and sugary). Drink coffee or tea.
Wednesday - Eat only dairy for breakfast. This includes yogurt, cottage cheese, milk, cheese, and any other dairy product you prefer. Drink only water or milk.
Thursday - Eat only cereal for breakfast. Any kind will do. Drink coffee or tea.
Friday - Eat only protein for breakfast. This includes eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, beans, and vegetables. Drink coffee or tea.
Saturday - Eat only fruit for breakfast. Any fruit will do. Drink only water.
Sunday - Eat only vegetables for breakfast. Any veggies will do. No dairy, no protein, no grains. Drink only water.
*Wait at least 2 hours after breakfast before eating or drinking anything else. This includes COFFEE!
**Consume whatever you wish throughout the rest of your day.
**Consume whatever you wish throughout the rest of your day.
By conducting this breakfast experiment, you are forced to give up your normal eating habits, routine, and all of your control over what you consume first thing in the morning. If this happens with ease and you are able to enjoy the breakfast experiment and the variety it brings then you do not suffer from a food addiction.
However, if you obsess about the food you ate a breakfast, if you're having major food cravings, if you find it extremely difficult emotionally to eat something that is out of the norm for breakfast, then you need to analyze how much control food really has over your life.
This is an experiment that highlights how food makes you FEEL, not just while you're eating it, but how you feel 2, 4, and 10 hours later. Analyze how different foods make you feel physically and also analyze how foods make you feel emotionally.
Is there a day that you really want to skip, or that you flat our refuse to do? Ask yourself why? What is causing this attitude? How is control playing a part in that? Most people will not do the vegetables on day 7 simply because they don't like the taste. However, that is the healthiest type of food you can put in your body. By refusing to participate in day 7 you are purposely abandoning healthy foods and choosing an unhealthy alternative, which is one of the definitions of food addiction listed above. Yikes!
(health issues that prevent you from participating, i.e. an allergy, do not count here)
However, if you obsess about the food you ate a breakfast, if you're having major food cravings, if you find it extremely difficult emotionally to eat something that is out of the norm for breakfast, then you need to analyze how much control food really has over your life.
This is an experiment that highlights how food makes you FEEL, not just while you're eating it, but how you feel 2, 4, and 10 hours later. Analyze how different foods make you feel physically and also analyze how foods make you feel emotionally.
Is there a day that you really want to skip, or that you flat our refuse to do? Ask yourself why? What is causing this attitude? How is control playing a part in that? Most people will not do the vegetables on day 7 simply because they don't like the taste. However, that is the healthiest type of food you can put in your body. By refusing to participate in day 7 you are purposely abandoning healthy foods and choosing an unhealthy alternative, which is one of the definitions of food addiction listed above. Yikes!
(health issues that prevent you from participating, i.e. an allergy, do not count here)
As christians we are called to be alert and of sober mind. We are called to be self controlled and stead fast. We are called to control our flesh and live in the spirit by the power of Jesus Christ. Living in the bondage of any addiction is sin, and Jesus wants to set you free from that!! It's what he died on the cross for. If you are reading this and you struggle with an addiction, please please know that you can be set free by the power of Jesus Christ! Please know that no addiction is stronger than the Holy Spirit, who is alive and active.
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak," Mark 14:38
No true-er (I think I made that word up, but just go with it) words have ever been spoken in regards to addiction. The flesh is weak! It constantly needs to be exercised in order to stay strong.
A great habit to get into that will help to discipline your body and mind against food addiction is fasting. This does not have to be a complete no - food fast. This is more a fast from something that has the potential to control you, i.e. coffee or chocolate. I strongly suggest fasting from one food/beverage at least one week per month. It can be a different food each month, but it needs to be something that your flesh has a weakness towards. Commit to fasting one week per month through the rest of 2014. I guarantee that it will change your entire relationship with food, for the better!
I started doing this at the beginning of the summer and it rocked my world. I had no idea how much I let food control my life. I was shocked at how hard it was to fast from just chocolate for only seven days! Towards the end of September, I'll be writing a post sharing my journey through that fast, but for now I'd love to hear your stories. I want to hear about your breakfast experiments and your fasts, the challenges and breakthroughs that you experience.
I also encourage you to try the weekly prayers this month. We are focusing solely on discipline and self control with regards to gluttony. For more on that, click here.
If you need additional support with food addiction, including where to start once you know you have a problem, schedule a complementary consultation with Abby. Click here to get started.
Wishing you all Health, Hope, & Happiness
Abby
A great habit to get into that will help to discipline your body and mind against food addiction is fasting. This does not have to be a complete no - food fast. This is more a fast from something that has the potential to control you, i.e. coffee or chocolate. I strongly suggest fasting from one food/beverage at least one week per month. It can be a different food each month, but it needs to be something that your flesh has a weakness towards. Commit to fasting one week per month through the rest of 2014. I guarantee that it will change your entire relationship with food, for the better!
I started doing this at the beginning of the summer and it rocked my world. I had no idea how much I let food control my life. I was shocked at how hard it was to fast from just chocolate for only seven days! Towards the end of September, I'll be writing a post sharing my journey through that fast, but for now I'd love to hear your stories. I want to hear about your breakfast experiments and your fasts, the challenges and breakthroughs that you experience.
I also encourage you to try the weekly prayers this month. We are focusing solely on discipline and self control with regards to gluttony. For more on that, click here.
If you need additional support with food addiction, including where to start once you know you have a problem, schedule a complementary consultation with Abby. Click here to get started.
Wishing you all Health, Hope, & Happiness
Abby
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