INSTANT GRATIFICATION –
Sept. 9, 2024 – Dr. Adriana Davis, Family Medicine, notes: “Food addiction often co-occurs with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Addressing these underlying conditions can be crucial in overcoming food addiction. This is the time to understand that the very chemistry of these foods made them addictive. It’s not a battle of wills.” Food addiction to highly processed foods isn’t just a matter of weight gain. It represents an unhealthy relationship with eating that can lead to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and certain cancers. Recognizing and addressing this problem is essential for healthy aging.
r. Shelandra Bell, Family Medicine: “Regular check-ups are essential. They can help catch early signs of health problems related to eating habits and allow for timely interventions. It’s important that you keep a close eye on your A1C, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.”
Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine added this: “Intense cravings, food nose, might manifest as persistent thoughts about food that interfere with daily activities. You might find yourself unable to concentrate on work or conversations because you’re preoccupied with thoughts of eating certain foods. The inability to cut down often shows up as repeated failed attempts to reduce consumption of problematic foods, despite your genuine desire to do so. Withdrawal signs can be subtle but impactful.
