The Center for Mindful Eating

About the issue

This issue of Food for Thought addresses a fairly controversial issue in the world of eating behaviors: can people be addicted to food or not?

 The question really focuses on three ingredients commonly found in foods - sugar, fat and salt. And it asks whether these ingredients cause some people to go out of control around food, seriously interfering with their well-being. 

In the first article, Dr. Cecilia Clementi reviews the question from a scientific perspective. What do the studies say? Since this article was written, additional studies have been published that would be of value for anyone wanting to fully understand the subject. They include a review by Westwater and colleagues which shows little support for the concept of sugar addiction. Kahathuduwa and colleagues also published a review that looks at the impact of restrained eating on the brain, and provides an alternative explanation for differences in the reward response seen in many people who chronically overeat.

 The remaining articles provide practical insight that can be helpful in working with clients who struggle with feelings of food addiction and how mindful eating can help.

 In this issue, we are also releasing our updated position statement on weight concerns, which we feel goes along very well with this topic of ‘food addiction’ (see page 6). In this statement, we explain that the intention of mindful eating is to remain in the present moment by promoting acceptance, non-judgment, and curiosity about an individual’s direct experience. 

 We could also apply this to food addiction. The moment foods are perceived as addictive substances, we are no longer curious, nonjudgmental or open-minded enough to listen to the wisdom of the body and nature, from which, in essence, all food comes. 

 For clients struggling with overeating issues, the idea of “eating addiction” instead of “food addiction” aligns more with our work as mindful eating teachers. To enhance self-care and the joy of eating, we invite our clients to bring awareness to their relationships with themselves and their bodies, and to notice and question good-bad/judgmental thinking.

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