Do Food Additives Really Cause Food “Addiction”?
I’m sure you’ve heard the headlines that purport that certain foods are more “addictive” than others - those with the magic combo of sugar, fat and salt. You may have also heard that certain food additives make foods more “addictive”? Is that really true?
I received an email the other day from a woman who was asking me this question, and I thought it would be helpful to share it (with permission) and my response:
Dear Kristina,
I’m hoping you can answer a question for me. I started reading The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner, which, from listening to your podcast episode with Dr. Amy Johnson, I know you did as well. I was feeling FANTASTIC about it until my husband said that I shouldn’t eat things with artificial ingredients like additives and preservatives. He is totally on board with me eating when I’m hungry and honouring my cravings, (especially sugar which has been a huge trigger food for me), EXCEPT artificial foods because he says they are created to be addicting, which likely will never allow me to regulate around them.
I have tried to talk to him about the mental restriction part, and how forcing restriction in this area will make the process that much harder for me. I feel like I’ll have to hide these foods from him if I ever ate them, which is something I had to do in childhood. He’s very supportive of me working through my eating issues and understands that my body has to find its natural resting place, but I’m just wondering how I navigate this situation so I don’t halt my process in fully accepting food and eliminating restriction. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Lorelei
Here was my response:
Hi Lorelei,
It sounds like you're experiencing more ease and connection to your body by allowing yourself food freedom, which is great!
And I understand the fears concerning additives and preservatives your husband has. There is a lot of fear-mongering in the media and wellness spaces about the "evils" of these ingredients.
Where I fall on it personally, is that we are our best guides. When we are attuned to what feels good to us, what gives us energy, digests well etc. and follow that, we'll eat in a way that is best for us. For me that means I tend to notice if I'm on a steady diet of Doritos I don't feel so well! That is enough information for me to know that I like to enjoy Doritos occasionally, but I have no rules around it. The decision is peaceful because I allow all foods, and my body naturally selects what feels best for me.
It's a trial and information process that is always changing throughout our lives. We eat, we notice, we adjust.
What I do know is that when I was restricting foods, I was waaaaaay more “addicted” to those “addictive” foods. Now I would say I’m not addicted at all. It was the restriction (both mental and physical) that was causing me to crave those “addictive” foods, not the foods themselves.
Food decisions that are fear-based disrupt our well-being, not enhance it. They increase our stress levels (which isn't good for our overall health), and put us out of touch with our bodies as we give authority to our thinking minds, over the feedback from our bodies and messages from our Inner Wisdom (which often comes through as common sense).
Now what about your husband? He's welcome to his beliefs. But that is what they are - his beliefs, not yours. It sounds like his concerns are coming from a loving place. His mind is likely painting a scenario of a not nice future if you eat what his mind says is "bad". But no one has authority over you and what you eat. You can acknowledge his viewpoint and maybe even ask further what he is afraid will happen if you eat those foods (aside from not being able to regulate yourself). Then you can return to checking in with yourself and doing what you feel is right for you (remember - Inner Wisdom feels clear, calm, assured. The mind feels constrictive, worried, doubtful). And you can share that you love him and appreciate his concern, and you're trusting yourself with this one.
Who knows how you'll feel in the future after more trial and information with foods you eat. Keep following your Inner Guidance, I believe when we learn to listen to and trust it, it's the best guidance we have :)
Sincerely,
Kristina
If you would like support in having more food freedom and trusting your Inner Wisdom to be your guide, check out my one-on-one coaching services.