How do you know if you're addicted to food?

[southernsoul 773]

I've been reading a lot about food addiction, and I'm trying to honestly assess myself. I have a huge passion for good food, but I don't eat a lot of junk or processed food. I haven't eaten fast food in probably 2 years. My husband has a candy habit, but I don't eat much of it. I love to cook, but my cooking style tends to be more Mediterranean than homestyle. I'm not much of a baker, so I don't make cakes or Cookies very often. When I get stressed or upset, I tend to cook and eat less than when I'm feeling good. I can get a little obsessive over food, but it tends to be more about individual ingredients. For instance, I'm always looking for new olive oils to try, and over the last few months I've probably bought a dozen types of sea salt. I have 2 lbs of French green lentils in the pantry that I'm excited to try. I'm looking forward to figuring out ways to up the Protein in everything I make post-op.

Of course, I didn't get to this weight without over-enjoying a whole lot of great food. In my case, bad knee issues made it very hard to exercise, which just exacerbated the weight gain. But, I know I think about food a lot. I read cookbooks, watch a lot of cooking shows, and search out food blogs. I know that I will face head hunger and the challenges of all the life changes post-op. But how do you tell the difference between food passion and food addiction?

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Good question.....I think the introspection is good. I also think you nailed it - you (and me, and all of us) didn't get to be overweight by eating normal. Denial of that would be serious denial! There is a lot of information on the internet about food addiction, including assessment tools. I'm still pondering this one myself. I believed I was addicted before I had surgery. I called cake my "crack". But since surgery, I don't feel the same way. I thought I would struggle a lot more than I do about wanting to eat things I can't/shouldn't, or even the amount of what I can eat. I've been really surprised that I don't struggle with that like I thought I would. I feel like it's too soon for the jury to be out on this one for me....I might be in a honeymoon phase and find myself back where I was. Last week I had a moment of feeling like I wanted to eat just to eat. It quickly passed, but still, it made me nervous. So, for me, I think time will tell. At the end of the day, no matter what you call it, we all still have to learn to deal with the physical changes the surgery brings, and the mental changes of dealing with that.

[southernsoul 773]

I hadn't thought about an assessment tool, but I will check that out. I think one of my biggest issues is Portion Control, and the sleeve will certainly help with that, but it's important to check myself for denial, too. Congrats to you on your progress so far!