Food Addiction? How to Break Free - Dr. Vera Tarman

People often say things like, “I'm addicted to chocolate” or “I can’t live without ice cream.” And sometimes it’s true. Modern food is processed, packaged and concentrated in ways that light up our dopamine and endorphin receptors just like drugs; and yes, psychological and physiological addictions are very common. If you’re addicted to cigarettes, the clear solution is to stop. That’s not easy, but at least the goal is clear. If you’re addicted to food, you have to learn to manage your addiction, and this is why it can be such a challenge to overcome. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a medical doctor and recovered food addict herself.

Learn
- How food addiction can affect people of normal weight too
- When have your food habits turned into an addiction?
- Sweet vs. savory, men vs. women, breaking the cycle
- Why cheat days are impossible for addicts
- How to quit some food, but eat freely with others

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Tarman is a food addiction expert, who writes, speaks and treats people who suffer from sugar addiction, food addiction, and who seek food recovery. She is the author of Food Junkies: The Truth About Food Addiction, and Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction.

SOURCE: The Lucas Rockwood Show | Episode 498

[roedoresdeoliveira]

I've been following the concept of moderation for years now and always coming back to binge eating and obesity. I KNOW moderation doesn't work for me, but people around me, my parents, even nutricionists and therapists have spoken against completely cutting sugar from my diet, telling me it would only make me crave more or feel like i'm missing out. But i'm 27 and went from 80 kgs to 130kgs twice now and it always starts with me losing control eventually after trying to moderate it. I can't moderate, it doesn't work for me, i have to completelly cut it from my life, there's no way,

[susanharrisdemorales]

This is confirming what I now suspect. I have had gut problems that have been developing for years! You can get away with eating masses of sugar year after year, but it will cause havoc eventually. I was able to quit sugar for months a few years ago and yes, it didn't take long, just a few weeks and the craving had gone. But I started eating a little chocolate, a little cake...etc etc... again and soon I was back to square one and have now had a wake up call in the form of a confirmed medical issue. The only solution is to stop eating refined sugar for ever! This issue has now unmistakenly revealed itself in the last three days and now I am watching this vlog!!! I haven't had refined sugar or Coffee - (another addiction of mine) since the medical examination I had on Wednesday. Today is Friday. Either I stop or I will cause irreversible damage to my digestive system, especially the gut and esophagus. I will do it!! I will hold out and Stop!! Thank you for this interesting and informative conversation. It is all oh so true!!

[mickmcmenemy]

It's so helpful for Vera to describe the (food) addiction model. I gave up alcohol last year after years of 'problem drinking' and thankfully I've had no physiological cravings. What I've realised is that I'm definitely sugar/carb addicted and have reached the conclusion that for me, like alcohol, I need to completely avoid all sugar. Easier said than done but I started going 'cold turkey' yesterday. Wish me luck!

[jbidwell]

It's so fascinating to hear her distinguish between food addiction vs. eating disorders. That is critically important to discuss so that people can get the appropriate treatments for these things. Excellent interview. Thank you!

[courtneymcfarland]

I feel like you can have the sugar/food addiction in conjunction with the psychological aspects. I tend to use food as a coping mechanism for anxiety AND I have strong cravings for lots of trigger foods, especially refined sugar.

[ADHDinvestigates]

Thank you so much for this! I was aware of the connection between sugar and dopamine but all of the pieces fell into place with this podcast. Of course moderation won’t work 🤦🏼‍♀️I’ve been deluding myself for years.

[Victoria-Monique]

Thank you very much for this interview. I believe that food addiction and any type of addiction really is a need for approval, there is something that is wanted by the emotional body that the physical body tries to fulfil by eating or by another type of compulsive behaviour. I believe it is part of the human journey and as we grow and evolve we discover more ways of being. There are not necessarily wrong, they are all experiential. And having that said, having a human experience in this incarnation I do appreciate the days that I eat, drink and behave without compulsion and can completely self-source. Much love.

[caseychris]

Thank you, Dr. Tarman. When I read that sugar feeds cancer cells, I quit that day, and that was 8 or 9 years ago. I don't miss it a bit. I didn't even miss it the first week. And I just got accepted to your Facebook group! Yay! I look forward to connecting with like-minded people because, right now, I'm the only one I know and people think I'm weird.

[gm]

I'm 4 years eating clean. I like to watch State Fair food review videos in shock. I'm not triggered at all but I've got to admit a deep fried tennis shoe with cheese sauce for $20.00 looked pretty good, in these videos all the people walking around have their hands full of junk food. Man Thanks to videos like this I know I'm on the right track. took me 50 years to get here but I'm here. Healthy and Happy

[wildehesse]

Overeating is also a part of eating disorders. Overeaters Anonymous brought hope to my life and made me realize I was dealing with a disease, but above all, that I wasn´t alone to face it.

[TheLisaDonald]

I'm so glad this message is finally starting to get out there! For way too long I never heard this conversation anywhere! This spring I finally went no-contact with refined carbs, potatoes, corn, grains ... treating it like the addiction it is. No more listening to the "everything in moderation" comments. Life is so much better! Thank you for your work! I'll join the Facebook group!

[circusbysilk]

I juggled through the whole show, while I listened/watched it. My brain loves the combination! I really feel more motivated now to quit sugar. But on the other side there is this question I have like: how can the restriction actually work? I mean, for many ppl it only makes more binges. So how to overcome that?

[YouCanCallMeDon]

I beat a long cigarette addiction almost a year ago, and the occasional urge to smoke arises, but it is very easy to shut it down, so I feel I have it licked... no more smoking anything ever again. But, I did replace that hand to mouth with food, and now I need to quit the sugar. It really comes down to just quitting for that two week to one month period (the hard part) and then any time you get the urge simply remind yourself of all the bad that goes with falling back into the bad habits. So... ready to do this.

[morganmadison]

I do believe that food manufacturers are making food to stimulate the appetite center in the brain.
I'm on Ozempic, which reduces hunger and appetite. I noticed that if I eat Taco Bell, I experience an increase in my appetite right away in spite of the Ozempic.

[memedavis]

Anyone with a real solution will become a millionaire because telling them to, just give it up and the desire will go away in one month, well... it might work for 6 months or a year but it won't last much longer beyond that, because an addict is an addict for life. We're all addicted to something and food is necessary to sustain our life, so we have to eat and that ladies and gentlemen, is the problem, we have to eat. I think if you keep moving your body, example; walk, run, clean your house, go swimming, lift weights, do projects around your house, go to the library, volunteer somewhere, etc. Keep moving and burn some calories. Good luck giving up your addiction.

[divinity]

i've been making everything from scratch and it helps me so much with my eczema to understand what i'm putting inside my body and see what triggers it. it almost always happens when i eat refined sugar or anything from outside, literally fruit is sweet enough!

[gm]

1st Time Here I'm saving this page. This is one of the best shows on You Tube Thank You. I'm still addicted to coffee w/ Flavored Creamers and sugar and it's been on my mind so Yes I'm still addicted wow I'm powerless over coffee.

[pelessongjewelry]

I am watching this while eating a chocolate bar that I have been craving for all day. I have been doing intermittent fasting because It has helped with my hashimotos for sure and given me much needed energy etc. however, trying to cut out the bread, eggs, cheese, and most of all sugar has been harder than anything. Once I eat some of these items than the craving for more starts in. If I intermittent fast and basically eat meat and vegetables, than I don’t start having bad craving until day three. If I eat the items that I’m not supposed to eat, I get restless leg syndrome, headaches, don’t sleep well, mood swings, brain fog, pains in my legs and feet, my skin looks horrible, heart palpitations, the list goes on. The only reason I am able to pinpoint these reactions is due to fasting and eating right. I love fasting because it has made me feel much better. I don’t however like the fact that I am so horribly addicted to this stuff.

[wendygilhula]

It's true!! After the holidays, I always feel like I keep craving sugar. 😮

[pierooo]

Excellent!Very helping!Thanks from France.Love