Tag: lack of willpower

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Media Article: Stress Eating and the Microbiome

photo of a woman holding her stomach

What is this?

The Psychology Today article, “Stress Eating and the Microbiome,” investigates the intricate relationship between gut bacteria, mood, and eating habits. It highlights that microbial dysfunction, rather than character weakness, may be the true underlying issue behind stress eating. The article emphasizes the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut, illustrating how stress can disrupt the microbiome and lead to unhealthy food cravings. This resource provides valuable insights into how our gut health may influence our eating behaviors and emotional well-being.

How can this help?

If you’re struggling with food addiction, this article offers a new perspective on the drivers behind your cravings. By understanding the link between stress, your gut microbiome, and your eating behaviors, you can begin to explore strategies for rebalancing your gut health. While not a cure, this knowledge can empower you to make informed choices about your diet and lifestyle, potentially reducing the intensity of stress-related cravings and supporting your journey to recovery.

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Event: FA Information Session in March 2025

Image of bathroom scale, body measuring tape, sad person

What is this?

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is hosting an online information session on March 1 (for North American times) or March 2 (for Asia / Australian times). This free event is designed to introduce people struggling with food addiction to the FA program, which is based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Attendees will learn about FA’s approach to recovery, including the concept of abstinence, the importance of meetings, and the tools used to overcome food obsession, overeating, and under-eating.

FREE ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION

Do you or someone you know struggle with food obsession, overeating or undereating? This free online information session aims to answer questions and provide a possible, long-lasting, healthy solution.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a free, international, non-profit recovery program modelled on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

At this free online information session you, can hear how FA works and ask questions. Anyone is welcome.

To find other FA meetings or more information about FA or this online information session, visit www.foodaddicts.org or call 1-800-717-446.

Food addicts have a relationship with food that parallels an alcoholic’s relationship with alcohol. Food addiction can manifest in a variety of ways, including overeating, under-eating, purging, over-exercise, abuse of laxatives, or painful obsession with body image. No amount of willpower can lead the food addict to normal eating or sane attitudes around food and weight.

How can this help me?

This event can provide hope and a potential solution for those battling food addiction. Attendees will hear personal stories of recovery, learn about FA’s program, and discover how it has helped members achieve long-term weight management and improved physical health. The session offers an opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges and gain insight into a program that has helped many find freedom from food obsession, develop healthier relationships with food, and experience personal growth.

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Media Article: How Mom’s vs. Dad’s BMI May Affect Their Children

What is this?

This Psychology Today article (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-brain-on-food/202502/how-moms-vs-dads-bmi-may-affect-their-children) explores the complex relationship between parental BMI and children’s weight, highlighting neural differences in food responses. Research suggests that children of overweight parents show altered brain activity when exposed to food cues. Specifically, children at higher obesity risk exhibited reduced neural responses to high-energy-density food cues in brain areas associated with attention and self-regulation. This insight adds depth to our understanding of the intricate interplay of brain function, environment, and learned behaviors.

How can this help me?

For those battling food addiction, this article offers valuable neurological insights that can be empowering. Understanding that children of obese parents show altered brain responses to food cues helps explain why some individuals struggle more with food regulation. This knowledge shifts the focus from personal failure to recognizing the complex biological factors at play. Armed with this information, food addicts can work with healthcare professionals to develop targeted strategies that address these neural patterns. This might include cognitive behavioral techniques to rewire responses to food cues, or exploring medications that influence relevant brain pathways. Recognizing these neurological underpinnings can also reduce shame and self-blame, potentially improving treatment outcomes and overall well-being.

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Research Paper: Psychological differences in food addiction and binge eating in a general Polish population

What is this?

Is binge eating a form of food addiction? Or is food addiction a sub-type of binge eating? Are they the same disorder or are they distinct? This study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, compares and contrasts the characteristics of these two disorders in the Polish population. The research reveals that while both disorders involve “eating a large quantity of food in a short amount of time,” they differ in crucial aspects. For example, “Patients with BED [binge eating disorder] typically exhibit episodes of disturbed behavior whereas patients with FA tend to show a continuous pattern of disturbed behavior”. By comparing and contrasting these two conditions, the research offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between psychology and eating behaviors.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-87057-w

How can this help me?

For those battling food addiction, this study offers validation and clarity. It provides scientific evidence that the struggles of food addicts are real and cannot be explained by a simple lack of willpower.

This paper defines food addiction as follows:

“[…] increased compulsive food intake, which in turn may lead to the loss of its hedonic value – a reduction in the enjoyment or pleasure derived from eating. Similar to other types of addiction, individuals with FA [food addiction] often consume larger amounts of food than intended and experience cravings, urges, or a strong desire to eat. They often report spending large amounts of time obtaining food, eating, or recovering from eating. Additionally, they mention a persistent desire for food and unsuccessful attempts to cut down on eating. They may report the necessity to eat more to reduce negative emotions or to increase pleasure, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as experiencing negative affect or physical symptoms when they stop eating. As with any addiction, FA causes clinically significant impairment and distress,”

By highlighting the psychological factors associated with food addiction, this study offers food addicts a deeper understanding of the condition. For example, the research distinguishes food addiction from BED, noting that food addicts “show tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, as well as the neglect of social connections, abandonment of other activities, and other symptoms.” This knowledge can be empowering, potentially leading to more effective treatment options and helping to explain the realities of food addiction to skeptics.

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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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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.