In recent years, terms like “food addiction” and “sugar high” have become more commonly used, especially in the context of various dietary programmes that promise to address the growing obesity crisis. But is food addiction truly a real phenomenon, or is it just another overhyped concept lacking sufficient clinical evidence?
The frequent use of terms like “hangry” has, perhaps unintentionally, reinforced societal beliefs in comfort eating. Comfort eating, also known as emotional eating, is when individuals turn to food to cope with strong emotions. Personally, I know I tend to reach for a cake or a sugary dessert when I’m feeling angry or frustrated. While this may provide temporary relief, emotional eating is closely linked to weight gain and obesity. Though emotional eating is not classified as a distinct eating disorder, it represents a behavioural pattern often driven by immediate emotional stressors. Foods typically chosen during these moments are usually high in sugar or energy-dense, offering little nutritional value.
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, explores the human relationship with carbohydrates from an evolutionary perspective. Our ancestors, who were hunters and gatherers, had limited access to starchy or sugar-rich foods. As a result, these foods were considered rare and luxurious, creating a deep mental association between them and pleasure. Over time, as we evolved and modernised, these foods became more widely available, but our psychological attachment to them, stemming from ancestral experiences, remains. This ancient wiring continues to influence our decisions, making sugary and starchy foods especially appealing. While food is essential for our survival, our relationship with eating can sometimes be unhealthy, and in some cases, addictive. The concept of food addiction remains controversial, and more research is needed. However, there is substantial evidence indicating that food consumption triggers significant behavioural and biological changes that resemble the patterns seen in addiction. The question arises: where does food addiction fit in? Should it be classified as a substance use disorder or a behavioural addiction? This is an intriguing question that warrants further investigation, especially considering that eating in response to emotional distress involves both behavioural and substance-driven components. Some researchers have coined terms like refined food use disorder, highly palatable food use disorder, or simply food use disorder to describe this phenomenon.
What triggers eating habits?
Why do you eat, and when do you eat? Do you have any patterns or specific circumstances that influence your food choices, like preferences, situations, or the company you’re with? Reflecting on these questions can provide insight into your eating habits, especially if you’re concerned about them. If your relationship with food is intertwined with an eating disorder or another mental health issue, it may be time to seek professional help. Changing your behaviour around food is a gradual process that requires patience, but it’s entirely possible with the right support. Like any other form of addiction, food addiction often comes with feelings of shame. It’s important to remember that food addiction is a legitimate condition, one that deserves care and professional intervention, just like any other addiction. There is no shame in seeking help. Consulting with your GP for a referral to a mental health specialist can be an essential first step. A blood test with your GP may also be a useful way to identify any nutritional imbalances or issues that might require additional medical support, including pharmacological treatment.
Separating fact from fiction
In recent years, the term “food addiction” has become ubiquitous, with many dietary programmes promising to resolve the growing obesity crisis. But is food addiction a real phenomenon, or is it simply a convenient excuse for overindulgence? Terms like “hangry” have only reinforced the idea of comfort eating — using food to cope with emotional stress. Emotional eating is a well-documented behaviour where people turn to sugary or energy-dense foods for temporary relief during emotional upheaval. However, while this may bring comfort in the short term, it ultimately contributes to weight gain and obesity.
Research has shown that significant behavioural and biological changes occur in response to food consumption, which mirror the criteria for addiction. However, whether food addiction is classified as a substance use disorder or a behavioural addiction remains a topic of debate.
There’s also an emerging body of literature that conceptualises this phenomenon as refined food use disorder, highly palatable food use disorder, or simply food use disorder.
Understanding our motivations for eating, along with our preferences and the contexts in which we eat, can help shed light on our eating behaviours.
(The author is a multidisciplinary professional who works in the UK.)