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Media Article: The Glasgow group tackling eating disorders and ‘transforming’ the lives of those suffering

What is this?

This is an article about an Addictive Eaters Anonymous (AEA) group in Glasgow (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/glasgow-group-tackling-eating-disorders-071411417.html). AEA is a fellowship with groups around the world that tackles eating disorders using a twelve-step program. It’s similar to Alcoholics Anonymous but focuses on helping individuals recover from various forms of disordered eating, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. AEA welcomes members who have struggled with food-related issues, regardless of their weight.

How can this help me?

AEA can help food addicts by providing a supportive community where they can share experiences and work towards recovery. The program offers a holistic and spiritual approach to addressing food addiction, teaching members to find freedom from the obsession with food. Through regular meetings, the twelve-step program, and guidance from experienced members, individuals can find support in their journey to overcome disordered eating patterns and transform their lives. AEA also hosts public events to raise awareness and provide information to sufferers, families, and professionals.

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Video: Irresistible: Why we can’t stop eating

What is this?

“Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Eating” is a one-hour BBC documentary presented by Dr. Chris van Tulleken that explores the world of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their impact on our health. This Instagram reel is an excerpt from that documentary, but if you are in the UK, you can watch the full documentary here. The reel delves into why these foods are so addictive and how they have come to dominate our food culture. It features interviews with former food industry insiders who reveal the deliberate strategies used by food companies to make their products irresistible.

How can this help me?

This documentary can help food addicts by providing insight into the science behind food addiction and the deliberate tactics used by the food industry. It explains concepts like ‘vanishing caloric density,’ which can help viewers understand why certain foods are so hard to resist. By exposing the intentional design of ultra-processed foods to be addictive, it may empower viewers to make more informed choices about their diet and recognize that their struggles with food are not solely due to lack of willpower.

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Video: A Food Addict’s Lesson

What is this?

This is a TEDx Talk by Michelle Petties, a self-described food addict in recovery. In her talk, Petties shares her personal journey with food addiction, highlighting her struggles with emotional overeating and yo-yo dieting over 40 years. She discusses the confusion she experienced around food and its purpose, which led to her food addiction. Petties also recounts a pivotal story about her uncle and a watermelon that gave her clarity about the connection between food and feelings. She emphasizes that food is just fuel, not a source of happiness or comfort.

How can this help me?

Michelle’s talk can help a suffering food addict by offering hope and clarity. Her story shows that it is possible to find peace with food and overcome addiction. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional connection to food and how this impacts eating habits. She also shares key questions that she asks herself before eating, such as “Why am I eating this now? and “Am I hungry or am I something else?”. The talk promotes the idea that it’s possible to access feelings without using food as a crutch.

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Provocation: Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean

I’m standing on a rocky beach, close to the shoreline, with my back to the ocean on a windy day. I’ve got this. I’m sure I will hear it if a wave comes up to me. I won’t get pulled in…

Addiction can be like that ocean, constantly waxing and waning in waves of unpredictable size and strength.

I might think I have my addiction under control. I might think I can do things in moderation, just like “normal people” can. I might think I’m stronger and smarter than the ocean.

If I “turn my back on the ocean” and try to live like the addiction isn’t really there, or it isn’t that big a deal, I risk being swept away by powerful and temperamental dynamics well beyond my own strength.

Can I make the choice to turn around and face my addiction, respect its power, and learn how to protect myself?

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Video: The Battle Over Food Addiction by Dr. Robert Lustig

What is this?

This is a video of a talk given by Dr. Robert Lustig at the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference (IFACC) held in London in May 2024. Dr. Lustig, a renowned neuroendocrinologist, argues against the prevailing “eating addiction” framework promoted by groups like NeuroFAST, asserting that the real issue is addiction to food additives, specifically sugar and caffeine. Lustig presents substantial scientific evidence, including neuroimaging studies, to support his claim that sugar’s addictive properties stem from its effects on dopamine and leptin signalling in the brain, leading to reward-seeking behaviour and metabolic dysfunction. He emphasizes the need for policy changes and public education to combat this, advocating for a harm-reduction approach similar to that used for tobacco.

How can this help me?

Watching videos about the science of food addiction can help people who are addicted to food understand why they might be experiencing challenges in controlling what and how much they eat. Understanding the biochemical reactions in the brain that are caused by eating additives such as sugar and caffeine can help people who are addicted to food be more compassionate towards themselves and figure out how to take appropriate action. Also, knowing that the scientific community is actively working on this problem is encouraging.

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Podcast Episode: Not Alone Anymore

What is this?

This is an episode of the Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) podcast (https://foodaddicts.podbean.com/e/not-alone-anymore/). Here is the synopsis of this episode.

Always feeling she wasn’t enough, this food addict struggled, ate, covered up her eating, tried to exercise it off…and repeat. When she heard people in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) talk about food the way she thought about it, she knew she was home.

How can this help me?

Podcasts by food addicts in recovery offer a powerful resource for those struggling with food addiction. These audio experiences provide hope, education, and support by sharing personal recovery journeys, discussing addiction mechanisms, and exploring effective treatment strategies. Listeners benefit from hearing authentic stories of overcoming food addiction, learning coping mechanisms, and gaining insights from recovered individuals. By creating a sense of community and demonstrating that recovery is possible, these podcasts can motivate suffering food addicts to seek help, understand their condition, and take positive steps towards healing and transformation.

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Article: His addiction to ultraprocessed food began as a child

What is this?

This article (https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/27/health/child-addiction-ultraprocessed-foods-wellness/index.html) highlights the alarming prevalence of food addiction among children, with 12% of U.S. children and adolescents meeting clinical criteria for addiction to ultraprocessed foods. It explains how these foods hijack brain reward systems, making it difficult for young people to resist cravings. 

How can this help me?

The article provides insights into the mechanisms of food addiction, which can help people who are addicted to food understand their condition and seek appropriate support.

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Organization: Food and Addiction Science and Treatment Lab

What is this?

The Food and Addiction Science & Treatment (FAST) Lab investigates the links between obesity and substance use disorders, focusing on addictive eating behaviors. They use neuroimaging, behavioral studies, and simulated environments to explore how food cues impact desire.

How can this help me?

This organization does not directly provide support to individual food addicts, but their research contributes to understanding food addiction.

https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/fastlab/

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Research Journal: Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity

What is this?

Eating and Weight Disorders (https://link.springer.com/journal/40519) is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on eating disorders, obesity, and related topics. It publishes research on anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and obesity.

This journal also participates in a collection on “Food and Addiction” (https://link.springer.com/collections/didbdbicfe): “The aim of the Topical Collection on Food and Addiction is to collect invited articles or spontaneous manuscripts on comorbidity and the relations between eating/weight disorders and addictions. Food addiction is not yet an official diagnostic category (the only behavioral addiction recognized by DSM-5 is gambling addiction). However a growing number of studies suggests that for some people eating becomes compulsive and even addictive with dangerous effects. The controversial and intriguing concept of food addiction is a subject of great and current interest for research in the field of obesity and eating disorders. “

How can this help me?

While not directly supporting food addicts, the journal provides valuable scientific insights that can inform treatment approaches and enhance understanding of food addiction and related disorders.

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Reviving people.food.feelings: Resources for Food Addiction Support

The people.food.feelings (PFF) website was created in June 2022 and it was briefly active from June to December 2022. It then fell dormant for two full years.

It is now January 2025 and the site is being renewed and revitalized. There are exciting developments in research on food addiction, and there are always more food addicts out there who are looking for support.

I plan to share more resources — books, articles, podcasts, etc. — that may help the struggling food addict.

I have also added new social media accounts where I can share PFF content and have it more easily shared by others:

I hope that the resources I share here at people.food.feelings will prove useful in 2025 and beyond.

Feel free to contact me at any time if you have suggestions about the site, or if you want to suggest a resource or tell your story of food addiction and recovery.

people.food.feelings

Stories and resources to help people recovering from food addiction

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