Can you be addicted to Junk/Take-away foods? - Obesity Message Board

Pipsal · 08-09-2008, 08:11 AM

....because I wonder if I am and what I can do about it....

I am classed as morbidly obese (about 60kg overweight) and whilst I was always taller and more 'athletic' in appearance than my peers, I have really struggled with my weight since my early teens when I started to stack it on. I have since been diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome which contributes to the weight problem. I don't blame the PCOS entirely as I'm the first to admit I go through patches of eating utter rubbish, though I think PCOS has made a difference. I have been on every diet I could find, including meal supplement ones, weight watchers, etc. But most times it is very slow weight loss, and when I loose the weigh it comes back again within a couple of months, and then some. The only time I was able to maintain for about 18mths was when I lost about 15kg.

My problem at the moment is take-away food. KFC, McDonalds and Pizza. I literally crave them and it is THE thing that is hampering my efforts to loose weight again. I eat properly all day, then hit afternoon and evening and if there is any chance take out is on the menu I am in. Why am I craving this stuff so bad? Its not like I ever ate it every day or anything. But it is a bit like an addiction at the moment - I find myself going through a drive through on the way home from work even when I plan things to try and avoid the opportunity. Does anyone have any suggestions for overcoming this? I am a fairly fussy eater, and I think that part of the appeal of these foods is the taste because I have a fairly bland diet, but now I'm craving it and I don't know how to substitute the flavours into other food, or how to overcome this - the willpower thing is just not working this time around, which is different to past experiences.

So I guess my overall question - can you be addicted to take-away foods? Is there something in them that I could replace somehow in my other food if this is the case? Please let me know any tips/strategies you might have that could help. Thanks.

niknak77 · 08-09-2008, 08:57 AM

Actually, I have heard that some professionals actually consider food addiction as a true disease, same as a drug/alcohol addiction. I don't know how many people really believe or stand behind that idea. I think that you may benefit from finding someone who can help counsel you and support you in learning in how to overcome your issues with food. Try a dietician or nutritionist. You said you eat a rather bland diet, why is that? Do you feel that healthy food must be bland? Not true at all, if that is the case. If you really want to conquer this it will take very hard work and dedication on your part, at least in the beginning.

Make sure first of all that you are eating properly during the earlier part of the day to ward of hunger later on. Make sure you eat small meals/snacks every 3-4 hours with whole grains and protein to keep you from feeling hungry again right away and to help keep your blood sugars on an even keel.

My personal suggestion is that you begin to adapt a clean eating lifestyle, meaning you eat minimally processed foods. No artificial junk, whole grains instead of refined white flour/sugar, lean meats and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Also watch what you drink, stay away from sodas, sweetened teas and drinks.

Use your will power, stay away from drive thrus and even go so far as to throw away the take away menus if they give you temptation. I know the PCOS makes this even harder, but you can lose weight with proper diet and exercise. I don't know you but I believe in you anyway. I could go and on and on but I will cut off and wish you luck. If you have any other questions just ask, I am sure plenty of other posters will add on to your thread as well.

T4T3hell · 08-09-2008, 03:33 PM

Are you saying that you are a night-time eater?
I wonder if you don't have Cushings? Many people who actually have Cushings---(a disease that is considered rare) have been misdx'd with PCOS.

You could be addicted I suppose---but I've had similar experiences---I crave certain foods---and if I don't eat them---I don't feel full. I have been dx'd with hypopituitarism---and testing for Cushings.

Most of the time, I don't eat during the day---but late in the evening---I'm starved---and it usually is for something "fast-foodish". I've had this problem most of my life (I'm 52) and doctors blamed my weight gain on eating at night---but the problem was that my diurnal rhythm was messed up---I'm tired during the day---and up at night.

I also experience intense, almost out of control salt cravings---goes along with Addison-ish problems---the opposite of Cushings.

PS: I've managed to lose weight eating Quarter Pounder Meals with a diet coke---supersize it please (!) followed by a huge pink frosted sugar cookie. The combined calories of those things have to come out to about 3,000 calories all together---I know the cookie was 500 alone---but honestly, I would lose weight eating that stuff.

Don't be too hard on yourself---doctors don't know it all---so if you have something weird---you have to double check and triple check things.

Pipsal · 08-09-2008, 11:11 PM

Thanks for your replies.

In response to a couple of questions:
- I eat fairly bland food because I don't like a lot of stuff. I'm 28 now and the first time I tried tomato sauce/ketchup was when I was 24! Also my family have been a fairly standard sandwiches, meat and 3 veg. or salad when I was growing up. No stir-frys, salad dressings, etc. So bread, pasta, potato and low fat tasty cheese (not fancy ones) are basically my staple. I have been trying to mix things up and am gradually adding some different meals, but I have a hard time trying something new because if I don't like it I wont eat it, and its a waste of food - not to mention I then have to find something else to eat! The other weird thing is that I am now iron deficient, and I have gone off red meat some time after that started, not before! Particularly steak - ok with mince or a roast! It makes me feel queasy when I smell it cooking..so that's yet another thing I'm trying to overcome.

- I was tested for cushings when I was first being diagnosed with pcos about 6 years ago. I can go all day without eating until mid afternoon though. I have been really trying to make sure I eat breakfast the past couple of years because I never ate it. But if I miss it I am normally fine till later in the day, then I get a bit light headed mid afternoon/evening (this has not been a problem lately though, its not why I'm so hungry in the afternoons).

- I am a night person. I hate waking up in the mornings and always feel tired, but I can go through the night quite easily - even if I've woken early that day.

- Basic 'during the day' food I eat (dieting or not) is 2 pieces toast with honey or vegimite and a small glass orange juice for breaky (when I have time), and a sandwich - cheese and salad, or ham, sometimes chicken - for lunch and maybe a small low fat muffin or biscuit and a piece of fruit. I am a teacher so my meal breaks are not flexible but I find after school I am STARVING most days.

itsmytime · 08-11-2008, 12:20 PM

From personal experience (sigh), I think its really easy to become very accustomed to fast food to the point that non-fast food isn't really appealing. I would go so far as to call it an addiction. The dopamine released by our brains in response to pleasurable experiences can be addictive for food too.

I just gave up fast food one week ago and I'm amazed at how it doesn't look appealing anymore. I have two kids and a hubby who still eat it so I'm around it and it just doesn't have a draw for me the way it did. I also gave up most refined sugar at the same time - not sure how much that influenced it.

Last note - your breakfast is high carb and low protein which will make you hungry in the afternoon. I'm a teacher too so I know that afternoon starving feeling - its killer isn't it? I've been having an egg (microwaved) on buttered whole wheat white toast in the mornings and those afternoon cravings have dropped big time. I still get "snacky" when I'm bored but I don't find myself wanted food if I'm engaged in something.

You sound like a wonderful person - good luck with this

You're my very first post to this message board and I'm really excited to have others to share with. I'm surrounded by healthy skinny people who don't understand how weight can become an issue.