Can You Really Be 'Addicted' to Food?

Why you're probably NOT addicted to food

Jul 11, 2024

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I used to google the question “food addiction” a million times during the week, especially after my painful binge eating episodes. In the mornings, I would swear off (unhealthy) food. By afternoon, I would find myself reaching for a little snack, which would turn into a few more snacks, eventually spiraling into a full-blown binge. No matter how many times I went through this cycle of I’m-not-putting-food-in-my-mouth-ever-again - Give-me-all-the-food-now , I never was able to stop binging on sugary and fatty foods.

Anything you cannot quit is addiction, right?

Every day, because I couldn’t restrict myself, I would often wonder, “ Am I addicted to food? ”

It made total sense at the time; I was addicted to food because I couldn’t stop myself from eating. I had an addiction problem.

Or so I thought.

I was right; I had a problem, but it wasn’t addiction. It was the never-ending mindset of “ I need to be able to control myself around food ” which actually meant restriction. Back then, if someone had told me my binges were caused by the restriction and need for control and not by food addiction, I would have laughed. I would have argued, I do have food addiction because:

A. I can’t stop eating , I would have said with an emotionally loaded tone.

B. I keep craving foods even though I’m full , I might have wailed.

C. I keep eating to soothe myself, when I’m sad, upset, angry; I can’t get enough of it, I need it , I might have later admitted.

When I look back, I don’t see someone who was addicted to food, but someone who was desperately trying to cope with things through food. Someone who looked for yet another thing alongside her body that was wrong with her, with her brain.

So no, I wasn’t _ addicted_ to food and nor are you.

Let’s start with how the word ‘addicted’ is used here. Addiction, as a word, is not a negative adjective, but it is still considered unwanted. If you think about the beliefs we carry about addiction as a society, we are scared of it, we look down on people who are addicted. Addiction is usually associated with negative things.

Who is behind this question?

Is the question of food addiction coming from a neutral and curious perspective, or does it have a negative tone?

If you are thinking about having food addiction and are in a binge-diet cycle where you constantly question and google if you have food addiction, I would like to first draw your attention to the fact that the word addiction does indeed have a bad connotation in this question. Even though as it seems like you are asking something neutral, it is actually a question that implies you are doing something bad, almost like a blaming question. Just with 5 words , there is a part of you that possibly implies the following:

You lack self-control.
You are weak-willed.
You should feel guilty about your eating habits.
There is something wrong with you.
_ You_ are responsible for your unhealthy behavior.
Your eating habits are shameful.
You are to blame for any negative consequences of your eating.
You should be able to fix this on your own.
You are failing to meet societal or personal standards.
You are causing your own problems.

Wow! So much blaming with such little words. I wonder, which side of you is asking you this sinisterly loaded question of “Are you addicted to food?”

Could it be... your good old Inner Critic? The voice inside that often criticizes you harshly, pushing you to be more productive and making you feel guilty for all kinds of reasons. This Inner Critic can be relentless and unforgiving, creating a cycle of self-blame and shame that’s difficult to break free from by asking if you’re addicted to food, and implying all sorts of negative judgments about your self-control and worth. It's crucial to recognize this voice because instead of helping you, it perpetuates a harmful mindset that makes it harder to address the actual issues at hand.

Understanding the role of the Inner Critic can be a crucial step in changing how you view and interact with food. By acknowledging this voice and its impact, you can start to challenge its validity and reduce its power over your actions and feelings. This shift in perspective can help you approach eating with more compassion and less judgment, creating a healthier relationship with food and yourself.

Can you be addicted to something you need?

If anything you cannot quit is addiction, I would rather ask you, why are you trying to quit something _ essential_ to your survival?

Imagine telling yourself, “ I cannot pee today ” or waking up and deciding, “ I am not allowed to drink water. ” Despite this, you would still find yourself needing to pee and drink water. Would you then conclude that you are addicted to peeing or drinking water? (I hope you’re shaking your head 'no' right now.)

Why is that?

Just like drinking water and peeing, eating is a fundamental physical need we all have. Your organs need calories, your body relies on food for energy. We've evolved to ensure we eat and don't starve.

When we talk about possibility of so-called food addiction, we are demonising a very human physical need. It’s as if it is bad to need food. There is nothing wrong or with wanting to eat, getting hungry. Food is essential for survival and for living a happy, energetic life, rather than a grumpy, deprived one.

“ You don’t need sugary and fatty food to survive. Why can’t you just eat healthy?! ” my Inner Critic would hiss if I were to explain that needing food is natural.

I’m immediately reminded of the famous study that concluded “ Sugar has the same effect as cocaine on the brain, it’s just as addictive ”.

I know. I’ve heard it too. I didn’t delve into the research, so it may or may not be true. But that’s beside the point. What I’m really talking about is the punitive, blaming voice inside your head—the voice that’s making you question your relationship with food in the first place. This voice isn’t just harsh; it’s affecting your Inner Child, that part of you that craves freedom, spontaneity and joy.

The Child inside of you has needs.

When the Inner Critic talks nasty, it’s not just about food. It’s about how you _ feel_ when you’re constantly judged and restricted. We are not robots; we cannot simply restrict ourselves without expecting a backlash. The Child inside of you also needs freedom —the freedom to enjoy life without constant self-restriction and guilt. Your body and mind need balance, not harsh restrictions.

If anything you cannot quit is labeled as an addiction, then I would rather ask: Is there really an addiction, or are you trying to cope with the pain of unmet needs through food?

In summary…

What we often label as “food addiction” might actually be a manifestation of the judgmental voice of the Inner Critic and a way of suppressing emotional needs through restriction.

Many people face similar challenges, and the key to overcoming them lies in self-awareness and kindness. Start by questioning the harsh judgments you place on yourself and consider what your Inner Child truly needs. Is it freedom, joy, or perhaps a sense of safety and acceptance?

Your journey to a healthier relationship with food begins with accepting that your needs are valid and you deserve to have them met. Instead of battling against your body’s natural needs, try to approach eating with compassion and balance. By shifting your perspective from self-blame to self-compassion , you can break free from the binge-diet cycle and find a more fulfilling and balanced way of living.

Take small steps each day to listen to your body, nourish it with care, and let go of the guilt. You are more than your eating habits, and with time and patience, you can cultivate a healthier, happier relationship with food and yourself. I believe in you!

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Why seemingly harmless behavior like “trying to lose weight and be fit” can potentially harm your mental health
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Compassionate questions you can ask yourself when you’re feeling stressed or anxious
One of my go-to exercises for releasing stress and anxiety in 5 minutes or less

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