Is Your Relationship with Food Unhealthy?

Is Your Relationship with Food Unhealthy?

By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, LifeScript Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

If you’re questioning your relationship with food in the first place, that’s a pretty good sign you might have a problem with it. But just how bad is this problem? Everyone splurges from time to time. You might order a cheeseburger instead of a salad or eat an entire carton of ice cream or make some other regrettable choice. But everybody does that once in awhile. One or two binges here and there are completely forgivable. But if you’re splurging all the time or letting food rule your choices, you’re giving up control. If you regularly feel disgusted with yourself and ashamed or embarrassed of your eating habits, that’s a sure sign you have an unhealthy relationship with food. Other signs include eating in secret, hiding food and eating when you’re not actually hungry. These behaviors all point to food addiction, which is classified as binge eating that occurs at least twice weekly for at least six months. Food addiction can become a very serious problem if you let it get out of control. Write down every time you feel guilty about your eating habits, and start making a concentrated effort to eat only when you want, not when food is calling your name. If you can’t take control over the situation yourself, ask a friend or loved one to help, or seek professional advice. Turning food addiction into a healthy relationship with food could save you years of heartache and struggle and make you a much happier, healthier person today.