By: Nikki Nies
The word addiction is easily associated with drugs or alcohol. However, with the ever increasing research confirming that food addiction exists, it’s inevitable for the word food and addiction to occur hand in hand. Indicators of an addiction may include unsuccessful attempts to cut down on intake, continuous eating despite negative consequences and/or embarrassment of how much is being eaten throughout the day.
Check out the scale and see where you lie!It’s no coincidence that those foods that are labeled as more addictive are being studied and people’s relationship with certain types of foods (i.e. high sugar, fat and sodium foods contain additives that make them tastier and more addictive).
The scale measures what you’ve eaten within the last year and while it can’t ask about every type of food. The generalizations cover a wide range of food options. The more honest you are with the scale, the more likely you can uncover what is beneath your eating patterns. Don’t be alarmed if your results aren’t to your liking. If you’re not happy with your results, talk to a physician or schedule an appointment to meet with a RDN in your area. Like any other kind of addiction, reaching out for support may be the best route.
Sources: Pedram P, Wadden D, Amini P, et al. Food addiction: Its prevalence and significant association with obesity in the general population. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(9):1-6.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/quiz-are-you-addicted-to-food/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what_we_do.aspx?id=262
http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/are-you-a-food-addict-take-our-online-test/
http://lifescapesolutions.com/battling-food-addiction-substance-abuse-treatment-program/
wedishnutrition.wordpress.com 