Despite playing off our addictions and calling them cravings to tame them, most people suffer from food addiction.

What is food addiction?  Food addiction is like being addicted to drugs and for some is harder to overcome than giving up smoking or giving up drinking alcohol.  If you find yourself going out especially to buy your favorite food or if you find yourself not being able to go a day without it – then you most likely have a food addiction.  The food you are choosing to eat most likely is devoid of nutrients.  Refined, processed junk foods do not provide much nutritional benefit to the body so the only reason you are eating it is addiction.  This can be physical or emotional addiction.  Most cravings will be physical and can be overcome simply by nourishing the body properly and sufficiently.  However, for some, emotional eating plays a much bigger role in the addiction and can be the hardest part of junk food cravings or overeating that one can experience.  You can overcome emotional eating with a plan!

First though it is best to tackle your physical addictions.  Lots of foods contain heterocyclic amines which can either directly or directly addictive.  T nourish the body properly the first step is to make sure you have a good breakfast.A high fiber breakfast is important as one low in fiber has been shown to cause an increase in snacking throughout the day.  On top of making sure you eat a good healthy wholesome breakfast, you should also make sure you eat plenty of fruit before each meal.  Fruit is also great to have when you are craving – eat 4 or 5 pieces and this should saitate you enough not to crave anymore.  If you eat fruit before your meals you will also not feel like you need that extra something to top of f your meal (i.e. dessert as you already have had it!).

Why is fruit so good?  Because it’s contain nearly all the nuitrients the human body needs!  Start incorporating lots of fruit into your diet and you should see a decrease in cravings.

Once you have overcome the physical cravings you experience from food, you may be ok.   If however you experience overeating and craving still monitor yourself throughout a day to see what is triggering these cravings.  If you find it is emotion, then start making a list of things you can do instead of eat.  Most people eat out of boredom in the evenings so changing the way you use your evening could be the best thing you do.

If you have intense emotional eating and feel the feelings that are trying to surface are too intense then a specific program over several weeks maybe usual.  ShrinkYourself is an online 12 week program that helps people overcome their emotional eating.  The website also has great free tools so you should check it out even if it is just for that:  http://www.ShrinkYourself.com

Physical and emotional addictions to foods can be overcome.  Nourish your body properly and seek the help you need in order to overcome your emotional eating for good