Food addiction is a condition that is widely talked about and often misunderstood. It’s not an official diagnosis, but there are related conditions like binge eating disorder (BED) that are associated with addiction to food. When people have a food addiction, they eat because they feel dependent on certain foods and the chemical reactions those foods can cause.
This goes beyond cravings, which make people want certain foods, even if they’re not the most nourishing. Those with food addiction are likely to eat beyond the point of hunger when they have the foods that trigger them. If this sounds like you, know that it’s not your fault. In fact, it’s caused by a variety of factors. We will review a few of those in this blog.
While science has done amazing things for food in terms of making it last longer, taste better and go further, it has also contributed to the addictive properties of certain foods. Highly palatable foods, those with the right combination of sugar, fat and salt, activate reward circuits in the brain, which leads to wanting more and more. We often associate these foods with certain activities, such as watching movies and eating popcorn. When you’re addicted to popcorn, this can be a trigger. You end up needing more to get the same rewarding feeling, and when you go without, you can experience withdrawal symptoms like obsessive thoughts.
Hormones like leptin and insulin strongly influence hunger cues, how full you feel and how much food noise you experience. Food noise is what gives you the feeling you should eat, whether or not you are actually hungry. Some people experience leptin and insulin resistance, which can cause the brain not to pick up on fullness signals. Genetics play a major factor, as does changing your habits significantly in a short amount of time. When people feel like food is the problem, they sometimes move toward overly restrictive diets, which can cause metabolic adaptation and increased hunger after weight loss.
What you’re dealing with in your daily life does not cause food addiction, but it can be a risk factor. Chronic stress causes an influx of cortisol, widely known as the stress hormone. When your cortisol levels heighten, you’re more likely to experience increased cravings, especially for high-reward foods, and more likely to cave into those cravings. Sleep deprivation can also cause hormonal imbalances, especially when it comes to hunger hormones and reward systems.
Certain mental illnesses can also make people more prone to disordered eating. People with depression, anxiety, ADHD and trauma often have a tendency to self-medicate, and some people do that through compulsive eating. They have dysregulated dopamine receptors and challenges with executive functioning, both of which can cause behaviors that defy logic.
Mental health medications, steroids, diabetes medications and seizure medications can cause symptoms like irregular eating habits, which can lead to food addiction. Conditions like hypothyroidism, PCOS and even menopause can also cause problematic eating. If your appetite has changed after a new medication or diagnosis, you are not alone, and there are steps you can take to manage your eating habits.
The most important thing to know is that food addiction is never your fault. Obesity is a disease, and it’s often caused by a variety of factors. If you’re not sure if you’re experiencing food addiction, some symptoms to look out for include a loss of control around portion sizes, a preoccupation with food, and specific foods leading to binge eating. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, consider reaching out to a medical weight loss doctor. It’s time to start living a better life by developing a healthy relationship with food.
