Can food be a drug?

[Sleepin_Dragon]

This is a very personal thing for me to ask, but does anyone think that food can be like a drug, and therefore people can have addictions? I personally battled from 23 stone down to 14.10 but am really starting to struggle. What views have you guys got?

[MB]

Yes, food can be a drug.



You can crave the experience, the release of endorphins and dopamine and simply the experience of putting something in your mouth (latent dummy/bottle fixation.)



You need to find other stimulus to replace those highs (gym workours, running, active sports etc) or find a way of keeping a handle on the cravings.



I was skinny when I was younger, but my weight has yoyoed a bit after having a second baby.



Myth is that most skinny people don't think about slimming - after you get to thirty - you have to..especially when you have kids because you could be eating night and day.



I'm slim now - but not skinny. I weigh myself every day, have treats - but don't go mad..I go to the gym three times a week, but if I didn't - I'm sure I could shoot up..but, most of all - look at the triggers. If it is emotional eating then counselling and understanding the hole you are trying to fill is the only way it is going to dissipate.

[DB7]

I worry about Dame, Chevy and MB... I have this nightmare of Mr Creosote in triplicate.

[MB]

Fortunately I get a kick out of cooking for other people.



I used to be a terrible cook years ago and I was determined to overcome that. If you do cook yourself you can also keep an eye on the fat content etc.



I intend to go completely bananas at christmas though.

[Dame Starry]

name='DB7']I worry about Dame, Chevy and MB... I have this nightmare of Mr Creosote in triplicate.

Aaahhh, if only I were that thin......!



Haven't you heard? Those who talk about things all the time are seldom doing them.........



DS x.

[Wicked Lady]

Absolutely food can be like a drug! Especially foods that are high in highly processed carbohydrates. Carbs are a great little soother of moods. That rise in the blood sugar level, that temporary high - who hasn't been there? (*Handy tip for those who suffer PMT - eat a bowl of pasta).



Try going for multigrain beads and hi-fibre everything. And throw more protein in your diet. They take longer to digest and prevent the sugar 'rush' we crave.



But, to be honest, if you're ever going to keep the fat off after losing such an amazing amount of weight, you're going to have to ask yourself why you were using food as a drug in the first place. What are you medicating? What did the fat do for you? Did it keep people away (like a suit of armour) or did it give you a place to hide? Did it give you a role to play?



Anyone can lose fat and tone up - barring some freak metabolic disorder - but so many people get to a certain point and a little voice in their head starts to freak them out and then they head right back to the comfort in the fridge.



The fact you asked the question indicates something is nibbling away at the back of your head needing to be addressed.

[Caine]

Yes food can most definitely be a drug....







Magic mushrooms...an unbeatable combination of food & hallucinogenic drugs.













Also cheaper than 3 jazz ciggies, 9 packets of Beef & Onion, 2 pork pies & the day before yesterday's chinese.

[torinfan]

Yes, and chocolate is my biggest weakness.

[Sleepin_Dragon]

I have phases of either gym/tennis 7 times a week and 1500 cals a day or it all goes to pot, chocolate does give you a major happy hit though im sure :-(

[Dame Starry]

SD - have you read the story of Charlie Walduck, who went from 45 stones down to 14 stones in 14 months?



Have a look at his website: Slimmer Charlie



You've already done amazingly well but, when you decrease your food intake, your metabolism slows down and, as the weight-loss slows down you need to find ways of speeding up your metabolism.

You've reached a 'plateau'.

For the time being, just bask in your 9-stone loss and concentrate on keeping your current weight stable.



When you're ready, you might like to join a slimming club for extra support.



Congratulations - you're already a winner!



DS x.

[Chevyman]

I love good food but I don't have a big appetite. For me, it's quality over quantity every time.



I'd rather have a 4oz steak, matured and cooked to perfection with a decent sauce, than a 16oz "Big Boy" special killed the day before and ruined by "Beefeater/ Harvester" cooks. No Mr Creosote I'm afraid



I have more of a savoury palate than a sweet tooth tbh



SD? Congratulations. You've done exceptionally well