Tag: ultraprocessed food

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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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Research Paper: The Obesity Epidemic: The Role of Addiction

What is this?

This 2010 article from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, “The Obesity Epidemic: The Role of Addiction“, explores the concept of “food addiction,” examining how compulsive overeating shares similarities with substance abuse. It delves into the neurological basis of food cravings, highlighting how highly palatable foods activate the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs. The authors discuss the role of genetics, environmental factors, and emotional states in contributing to compulsive overeating, suggesting that for some individuals, food can be misused in much the same way as other addictive substances.

How can this help me?

If you struggle with food addiction, this article provides a scientific perspective on the underlying mechanisms driving your behavior. It validates the experience of compulsive overeating as potentially stemming from biological vulnerabilities and environmental triggers, rather than simply a lack of willpower. Understanding that food addiction may involve similar brain processes as substance addiction can encourage you to seek evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or 12-step programs, that are traditionally used for other addictions. It may also decrease feelings of shame.

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Event: Graduate Nutrition Seminar: Can Food be Addictive? The Science of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction

What is this?

The Graduate Nutrition Seminar “Can Food be Addictive? The Science of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction” is an upcoming event at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET. Ashley Gearhardt, PhD, Professor of Psychology University of Michigan, will explore the growing field of ultra-processed food addiction research, which has gained significant attention recently. With studies suggesting that ultra-processed foods may be as addictive as smoking, this event promises to delve into the latest scientific findings and their implications for public health.

Source: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/events/2025/02/04/graduate-nutrition-seminar-can-food-be-addictive-the-science-of-ultra-processed-food-addiction

How can this help me?

For those struggling with food addiction, this seminar offers valuable insights into the science behind their condition. Recent research estimates that ultra-processed food addiction affects 14% of adults and 12% of children, highlighting its prevalence. By attending or learning about this event, food addicts can gain a deeper understanding of the biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying their struggles. This knowledge may validate their experiences, reduce stigma, and potentially guide them towards more effective treatment options and strategies for managing their addiction.

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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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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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Story: Just in Case

How was it then?

I was always worrying that I *might* be hungry later, so I had to have food around me at all times. If I went somewhere in my car, I would have to stop at a store to buy some food for the trip. I would usually buy junk food like chocolate or potato chips, or something I could easily eat while driving. If I was going for a longer trip, like a flight, then I would go crazy at the airport buying big bags of junk food. I said to myself, “If I’m going to die in a plane crash, at least I will have eaten chocolate.”

~ A Food Addict

How is it now?

I have a set schedule for eating my meals, so I know at any given time what time I will eat, and how much time there is until I will eat again, so there is no little voice in my head saying “what if you get hungry???”. If I get hungry, it’s probably because it is time to eat, so I will eat then. End of discussion.

I also know that my meal will be enough when the time comes to eat it, so I don’t need to come up with any “just in case” scenarios in my head that will lead me to buying and eating junk food.

~ A Recovering Food Addict