Is Sugar Addiction Real? The Evidence on Food Addiction + How to Stop It

In this episode of Abbey’s Kitchen, I want to cover a topic that I get asked about a lot and that is the idea about food addiction. I had to put my full lab coat on for this one. Before we get into it, I just want to say that I have tremendous empathy for those of you struggling with the feeling of food addiction. I know that a lot of you describe feeling out of control with certain foods and you can only describe it as an addictive experience with food and might feel like you need some sort of abstinence from those foods to feel in control. I am not discounting your lived experience, however I want to give you some tools and guidance that is informed by the literature.
Research Links:
www.asam.org/docs/default-sou...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/...
www.nature.com/articles/srep4...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.frontiersin.org/articles/...
www.pnas.org/content/114/9/2361
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
My book, The Mindful Glow Cookbook affiliate link: amzn.to/2nev0lf
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My amazon #affiliate shop:www.amazon.ca/shop/abbeysharp
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My other favourite intuitive eating books in my amazon #affiliate shop: www.amazon.ca/shop/abbeysharp...
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Check out my blog for healthy recipes, parenting tips and tricks and busting nutrition myths and diets: www.abbeyskitchen.com
Video Contribution By: Katey Davison, MScFN, RD, tasteofnutrition.com/
Edits By: Sofia Tsalamlal, RD

[@jens6754]

Three weeks out of the month I'm fine around food. But that one week... you know the one... it's a completely different story! Please talk about food and hormones. Especially PMS.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Jen S will do!

[@Soaring_Seajay]

Jen S Ditto! It’s like I am so incredibly low energy I need ANYTHING with sugar or caffeine to give me energy. I have PMDD and for 2 weeks out of the month I just want to be in bed but can’t

[@rynthorn1551]

You can say "my period". It's okay.

[@Stephjvb]

@@AbbeysKitchen is there a video on the subject in the meantime?

[@samiraport]

PMS had huge impact on my addiction/binge disorder. Especially in combination with wanting to lose weight and reaching body goals. I created a video on that topic. From a personal point of view (experience) :)

[@Naleafit]

This helped a lot. I now understand what I thought was just a strained relationship with this health coaching course I’m enrolled in is actually pretty toxic and teaches that if you’re spiritual enough, you can over come food addictions by continuing to restrict. Fuuuuuck that!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Anna Walker 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@JS-mh1fh]

I'm finishing up my health and wellness coach certification, and curious as to what coaching course you're enrolled in?

[@AshutoshKumar-tc5sl]

I have recently recovered from Orthorexia, and I wish I was viewing positive, informed videos like yours while I was in the midst of it. Instead, I would always be bombarded with Instagram posts telling me that foods were either "good" or "bad," and I felt this urge to keep viewing these harmful posts. I felt like I had no willpower, and I lost my personality. I was even admitted to the hospital because I had lost so much weight and my heart rate was low. I never really concentrated on calories, but rather the type of food, to make sure it was "clean." Luckily, I have found your channel, and I am glad to have real advice from a real dietician, and not just crazy health gurus on social media. Thank you for all of your advice!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Ashutosh Kumar thank you ❤️🙏🏼

[@WHSCougarGirl17]

You legitimately have been a driving force in enlightening myself to the dangers of dieting. I’ve struggled with bingeing for a long time, and I’m currently reading through the intuitive eating book you’ve recommended! It’s been life changing

[@AbbeysKitchen]

natalie wollam I’m so glad to hear this!

[@286shelby]

Which book is it?

[@WHSCougarGirl17]

Jeni intuitive eating: a revolutionary program that works !

[@CrownedLily]

I quit sugar on January 18th 2018. I do not crave sweets anymore and I feel like my energy levels are much better now. Once in awhile I'll eat some sugary food and its just not the same anymore. It's too sweet and I don't enjoy it anymore. I do eat natural sugar in food. I do not have added sugars.

[@amunaobi3032]

Wow that's amazing! I have been thinking of quitting added/processed sugar but I'm always afraid that if I did, a small trigger could cause me to binge on everything sweet. If I may ask, how were u able to quit it and keep it under control? It would help a lot since I have pcos and sugar is our devil :(

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Glad you found what works for you

[@martintanz9098]

In stages, I quit eating sugar starting June of this year. Except for some cake on my birthday, and recently, some pie on Thanksgiving, I haven't had refined sugar since July. I feel much better and I don't crave it anymore. That said, I have been in this place before. I think Ms. Sharp is wrong about her conclusions regarding sugar. Abstaining from or restricting these foods is the only way, for some people. I had the unfortunate habit of eating sugar every day. In the morning with my coffee, in the afternoon as a muffin, cupcake or donut, and in the evening as a candy bar or ice cream. When I don't eat these foods, the cravings go away. But when I eat them regularly, I need them. Sounds like an addiction to me.

[@isabelleould9090]

Sounds like an ED to me.

[@ElectronicTosha]

Yes I agree. I quit added or processed sugars a couple of weeks ago and noticed a change almost immediately. I could more easily tell when I was hungry or full. I felt more clear headed and less tired. And cravings for super sweet foods diminished considerably. Eating sugar found in natural sources is fine but processed sugar is created by humans to be more sweet than anything in nature and more quickly digested and absorbed into the body. Which can give an unnatural pleasure rush. It doesn't seem unhealthy or unreasonable to eliminate these types of things from your diet.

[@coople77777]

I definitely gotta say that it feels real to me. I've been addicted to traditional drugs and, once I got sober, I really used food as a crutch. I was exhibiting the same behaviors around food as I was around drugs (lying about how much I was eating, hiding my eating behavior, spending money I didn't have to sustain my habit, structuring my days around food, even occasionally stealing to get it). I was shocked to see that the research is so murky on this! It just feels so real and undeniable to me.

[@janedoe3648]

It is obviously an addiction for a lot of ppl who go thru it

[@phemyda94]

"Cupcakes happen" - Abbey Sharp

[@AbbeysKitchen]

phemyda94 🧁🙌🏼

[@TheTasumiNagorashi]

I want that on a shirt

[@ccap3211]

I always have my house stocked with sweets. I don’t try to diet or anything and I still can’t help myself around sugar. I will eat icecream and candy bars all day. And I often do. And if for some reason I don’t have them in the house I’ll leave to go get some. It may be a novelty thing for some people for definitely not for me. I just love the taste of sweets and I constantly crave them. I wish I didn’t. I know it’s not healthy to eat as much sugar as I do. I just can’t really control it. I’m not overweight or anything but I know I’m not healthy. I’ll often eat candy or baked goods for lunch. I work in a cafe where I can eat as much of the desserts as I want so that at doesn’t help. You’d think I’d get sick of them, nope. The novelty hasn’t worn off yet.

[@tf7602]

I feel this so much. I eat so healthy, but on top of that I can't help snacking and sometimes binging on sweets. Weirdly enough no matter how much I crave sweets, when I'm in the store standing in front of the shelves of sweets and cookies, I don't even feel like buying any. Sometimes I even feel put off by sweets then, it's just too much.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Like I said, there are always other circumstances- some of which may be hormonal

[@Aelffwynn]

I wonder if there are other factors in your life such as stress or anxiety that make it hard to eat sweets in moderation. When I am going through a big life change or when I'm suffering from depression, I realized that I self medicate with junk food. It's something to fixate on that gives my brain a much-needed dopamine fix.the best way to combat it, for me, has been therapy, antidepressants, meditation, and other lifestyle changes that make me happier in the long term.

[@Smil7001]

If it’s not in your house you can’t eat it.

[@BeautyIsMyLife]

@ccap3211 I can relate. I'll be at the store looking at all the candy and will decide not to buy it but later in the evening when I'm home I'll desperately want it. Sometimes it drives me to go get it and sometimes I'm too lazy to get it but I am still craving it like crazy and can't stop thinking about it.

[@JustToSaveYou]

I've found that the more I eat processed sugar (snack cakes, milk chocolate, prepackaged cookies, cakes, ice cream) the more of them I have to eat to feel satieted and the more often I want them. I also find fruit or less processed sweets less satisfying. If I eat them less than once a month I don't feel the need to eat them more often and find smaller amounts of less-processed foods perfectly satisfying. Like a couple squares of dark chocolate or a handful of dried fruit, etc. My theory is that these foods are a balance of sweet/salt/fat that throw off my tastebuds when eatten too frequently.

[@lanaroberts9929]

Same here. If anything having access to sugary foods has meant I’ve had more and more over time to the point I was eating way too much. Now I’ve tried to have less, I want less

[@jennapurvins7717]

Wow I never even thought of sugar not being addictive especially since there are claims like corn syrup is added to foods to make you more hungry in efforts to make you buy more. Abby do you have a video on caffeine ! I’d love to watch!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Jenna Purvins I’ll write it down as a topic!

[@carolinajorge580]

@@AbbeysKitchen YES. I actually heard of a doctor who said to my aunt that the solution to her binging and addiction would be solved by fasting to "reset your palate and see what real hunger feels like" it's working for now, but i fear that if she doens't do all the rules she would feel out of control

[@sarahvand3628]

@@AbbeysKitchen can you do a "review video" on the netflix movie "Fed up" I would love your opinion! Thank you for being a sensible diet/food KZbinr!!! I was 'raw till 4 vegan' (yikes) for 6wks and got so many deficiencies/felt horrible. This helped me alot (I have a bad history with eating disorders) 💞💞💞

[@jennapurvins7717]

Abbey Sharp you are the best :) I am actually considering being a dietitian!

[@emmallen2]

Really interesting, the overlap between food addiction and eating disorder tendencies. Thanks for sharing.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Emma Allen 🙏🏼❤️

[@selinanachtmann2705]

havent watched the video yet, but wouldnt be food addiction a kind of eating disorder?

[@selinanachtmann2705]

oh wow okay< now i've watched the video. thats what i always thought, that food addiction is just another form of saying BED

[@cynthia5102]

If I don't restrict my sugar intake, I would eat an entire pack of cookies in one binge. There has to be more to this. I do think food addiction exists in me. I'm addicted to sugar and can't control it.

[@dopex89]

I used to be the same, but the more I allow myself to eat whatever I want, the easier it is. I haven't gained or lost weight but I at least feel better and do find it easier to not eat emotionally / from boredom etc 😂 don't be scared

[@Pajali]

I wonder if it’s similar to alcohol, where there’s a lot of variation between individuals. It’d be interesting to see if these studies had any outliers who had significantly stronger physical responses than the rest of the subjects. 🤔

[@dopex89]

@@Pajali it also probably depends on how you were raised. In my childhood, sweets were definitely a reward and a comfort food. My mother would bring me something sweet after she had been away, and I would connect her being back (happiness) with the sweet stuff. It's a bit like the Pavlovian response honestly. It's hard to escape this mindset, but the least you can do is observe what you do and try to realise why you do it. I am not a nutritionist or psychologist obviously, just my thoughts.

[@elizabethfersaca]

I think it all comes down to emotional associations. For example, two years ago, I used to be obsessed with a specific sugary cereal that I used to eat every single day of my life. Only two cups of it every day. I could not stop eating it. One day, I bought 20 boxes of that cereal. I allow myself to eat the 20 boxes in one day if I want to. I tried. I failed. I ended up eating the 20 boxes in three days, I felt sick. The experience was just disgusting. Nowadays, I do not eat that cereal anymore. Each time I think about it, I feel sick. Interesting enough, after I got food poisoned with the huge binge on cereal, the first thing I ate was an apple. Now, my mind associates cereal with disgust and apple with relief. Each time, I feel disgusted by food, I get apple cravings. xD

[@MarriedWithPizza]

I had to fully stop having processed sugar. Forever. It’s been two years and I am finally a free woman. I’m telling you, sugar addiction is real, to some people. I was allowed to have sugar at very young age, I remember grabbing a bunch of candy and sneaking into the bathroom and eating it all in one sitting and wrapping the papers with toilet paper. At the age of 10. Until the age of 25, I would sneak wraps of candy and ice cream and hide from my husband, I worked out 6 days a week, and was active but I couldn’t control my compulsive eating disorder, while my husband could have some candy and not have anymore on the day. I can easily Not drink alcohol for a year with no problem, give me a cheesecake and I will eat the whole thing, and then will go to the store and buy more sweets and eat it all. I tried doing moderation, it only made me relapse, I would eat until get sick, and continue eating. I was pre-diabetic, and the history of cancer in my family made me realize I need to stop with my sugar eating. People that would tell me is ok to have some, really don’t know how BAD sugar addiction (and food addiction) can be. It is so easily accessible, it is so cheap, and people will encourage you to keep having it. There is no benefit to having processed sugar. But if you are someone that can eat in moderation, heck yes have your snack. I would love to be those people. I am not. Therefore just like an alcoholic or a drug addicted, the only thing that kept me from getting sicker, was to just stop having it.

[@OneSavvySiren]

Reducing the amount of added sugar in my diet was probably the hardest and best thing I've ever done. Took about a year, but it's comforting to feel like sugar doesn't control my life with cravings anymore. I still treat myself here and there, like any sane person, but wanting to grab and apple or pomegranate or an orange over of a bowl of candy or ice cream is so empowering 😊 Thank you for sharing more information on the science behind it!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

So glad you found what worked

[@Kelly-cj9df]

YIKES I needed this before the holidays! Thank yoU!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Kelly you are very welcome!

[@oHeide]

I looooo-HOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO-ve how respectful and non-judgemental and considerative your videos are! (also: salt! pleaaase cover salt! I love very salty food so much and I have heard so many bad things but recently read that older reseach might be wrong/ not well done and even a lot of salt isn't necessarily bad for you. I'd love to hear from you!)

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Heide Witzka thanks!

[@carleydeiss8202]

You post something I’ve been struggling with for awhile! I really needed this advice

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Carley Deiss 🙏🏼❤️

[@TABBY100]

Me too

[@queennsydney]

Your videos have been so helpful to me in understanding my issues with food. What I thought was an addiction to food was a lack of coping mechanism for my neurodiversity. I have ADHD and am constantly craving stimulation and dopamine. It took me a long time to figure out that my overeating was due to stimulation-seeking instead of true hunger. I'm now able to listen to my body instead of feeling overwhelmed and bingeing in the presence of food. By learning intuitive eating, I'm able to stop myself and ask, "Am I hungry or do I need to be engaged" and respond accordingly. It used to feel like all I was able to think about was food and I wasn't able to turn it down even when I wasn't hungry. But now if I'm not actually hungry, I can redirect and say "No thanks, I'm going to do a puzzle instead." It's honestly a life changer. I feel so silly for never thinking to listen to my body before but I guess that's the thing about learning coping mechanisms. Intuitive eating really was the piece of the puzzle that I was missing. Thank you.

[@sunshiness8948]

I loved this video. I honestly think that food addiction is an ED. I have suffered from it most of my life. It led me to IR and I had to find someone who could help me. Fortunately, I have found an amazing dietitian who is helping me to find a balance in my eating habits and overall have a better relationship with food. I'll be honest, Every day is a battle. However, I have found that speaking with a professional who is also compassionate and simpathetic with the individual is key to find some way out to this condition.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Sunshine Sanz so glad to hear you are working with an RD!

[@jenniferleewathen4877]

I’ve been recovering from the restrictive/binge cycle and finally was able to step outside my disordered thinking and worked with a Registered Dietician that had training with Eating disorders. I used to restrict because I believed that I couldn’t handle certain foods mentally. After I gave up restrictive behaviors and stepped into mindfulness behaviors around food, I’ve really progressed mentally and emotionally!! I had to relearn how to gage hunger and listen to my body and what felt good to eat and not what I should or shouldn’t eat. It’s been a journey and learning hasn’t been linear, but I’m recovering and learning how to listen to my body and am better aware of my emotions now and how to sooth myself outside food. Listening to and engaging with IE information really helps me reset my mentality. Thank you for sharing and helping!

[@cathyl3526]

My experience with sugar, specifically chocolate, has been to abstain for a while then bring some home and binge eat till it's gone. The past few months, I've kept more than I could possibly eat in one sitting in the house (3-4 bags of Dove Squares) and I have been successful in moderating.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Cathy L good!

[@Psychwriteify]

This absolutely checks out, because I started my intuitive eating journey back when I worked in a place where people would buy us donuts all the time, and my response to the donuts was usually indifferent unless I actually wanted one. Not gonna lie, if someone brought my favorite I would probably grab it and try eating it anyway but I always stopped the moment it became unappetizing. Nearly everyone else would stare at the donuts hungry, swearing up and down that they shouldn't because they're "trying to eat healthy" for a decent amount of time before taking a half, and then the other half, and then another half donut because screw it they already "cheated".

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Psychwriteify yep this is what happens

[@stephaniemaynard8450]

I stumbled across your channel today, Abbey, and I just want to thank you for being an unbiased repertoire of information. I subscribed and look forward to reviewing your library for more amazing videos and grow my own knowledge.

[@alecwinner]

This made my day!! I'm 2 months into treatment for my OSFED and trying my best at intuitive eating and just hearing the facts kinda laid out for me really helped! Thanks!!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Alec so glad

[@nan6862]

I love you Abbey!! I resonate with you completely ( so far). I just found you today and have been listening to you for the past hour and a half. Thank you so much for your “gray” perspective and taking into consideration individual differences with keeping in mind eating disorder perspectives as well. This way of thinking just feels so healthy in my opinion. You acknowledge others and their dignity stays in tack. Thank you. I look forward to hearing more fro you! So happy I found you🤗😀💖

[@kateamarlow]

Thank you, Abbey. I hugely appreciate your balanced and research-oriented approach!! Also. That sweater is amazing. 🤩

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Kate Marlow thanks!

[@pik4k3]

I appreciate how well you explain this, and the research you put into it. Also, everything is very visually appealing, from the mug to the top, to the countertops! Love it!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Yasmine Bee thanks!

[@dominiquelongpre6986]

Thanks for reviewing this heavy litterature for us Abbey! I loved to hear your professional insight on the topic

[@luisamasclans5076]

Hooray for this! I know you have a lot of videos in the pipeline, and that my point will probably be addressed later :) I know that for many people who struggle with restricting/overeating sugary foods, that there is an emotional regulation component. It's not just that it's is off limits, it's that you're sad/angry/tired and need to feel better. And the food is a readily available way to cope. My thought personally is that if someone is struggling with feelings of compulsive eating, improving the non-food aspects of their life (relationships, work, school etc...) is more important than changing anything about what/how they eat.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Luisa Masclans 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@olivethunderbird]

This. I was raised that when you are sad and life sucks eat chocolate. Now I constantly eat my feelings 😑

[@AChickandaDuck]

Great point! Learning to use non-food ways to feel good has been a huge component of IE for me.

[@olivethunderbird]

@@AChickandaDuck what things have been working for you? If you don't mind of course.

[@bhaminilakshminarayan1812]

As someone who has struggled so much with my relationship with food I have to thank you for your incredibly empathetic and researched videos. I learn so much about nutrition and myself.

[@nihany7460]

This makes so so so much sense Abbey. Unlike many other things many other nutrition "experts" say. You drastically changed the way I look at food.

[@nihany7460]

And one more thing: from my experience I can say that the more you consume a food the more you get used to it and your body, being so smart, starts to crave it because it knows this is your main source of nutrition. When I was vegan I was craving fruit all the time. And then when I was keto (I know, right!) cheese was all I craved. Because my body knew cheese was main source of nutrition. If you eat sugar all the time, your body will crave sugar. Can we call this addiction? I don't think so. Given the type of food "I was addicted to" changed every time I changed my diet I would call this habit. I even notice that the food I crave for (since I am a creature of habit) changes each meal and I crave whatever food I usually eat at that particular meal. So it's usually oatmeal for breakfast, salad for lunch and some kind of soup for dinner.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

So glad it’s helped

[@yaeltuttebel]

Amazing video with great arguments and research, I gained so many new insights, Abbey you are a breath of fresh air on KZbin!!

[@manon562]

I've had an overeating problem all my life. Finally a few years ago, I came across the term "emotional eating". I dug into it and I realized that bingo! it's been my problem since day1 and frankly I believe that the overwhelming majority of overweight people are so because the use food as a crutch. I did see a therapist about that and I with her help I was able to pinpoint the roots of my emotions and let me tell you, it was very useful! Once you know why you're triggered by certain things and you address those issues, the problem goes away. It is not easy or fast, but the results are great (dare I say "permanent"?, as opposed to dieting where the weight problem resurges once you stop dieting).

[@mollygrace3068]

I’m glad you’re finding help and getting happier. I just want to put it out there that ALL addiction has an emotional component. Heroin, alcohol, cocaine, none of it is pure a chemical reaction. That’s why AA meetings drill into you that when you’re triggered, you should find a meeting as an alternate coping mechanism.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

So glad you’re finding what works for you

[@Blurp3]

I agree with 'emotional eating...' I definitely find comfort in junk food when I'm anxious. And snack aggressively when I'm bored. Though, my sweet tooth is ginormous! As a kid I'd always sneak sugar cubes, or have spoonfuls of sugar. I also craved chocolate constantly. In adulthood, I am still addicted to chocolate to the point that it makes me sick. And other people shouldn't leave their chocolate in my eyesight. And I still sometimes find myself grabbing a spoonful of sugar!

[@Kx____]

i love that sweater Abbey, it looks so good on you! it's so festive as well, good choice! ♥

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Kx thanks!

[@nyanteea226]

To be fair, more recently, alcoholics have found that “abstinence” isn’t always a successful approach to recovery. Sometimes they practice drinking responsibility instead. Similarly to other drugs where straight withdrawal can be less effective than a slow withdrawal

[@melaniegagnon3835]

Abbey, you're amazing. Thank you sooo much for such a great, evidence based summary! Love, love, love all your content! Such a great resource.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

thank you

[@ana-mariaperic9181]

I was SO addicted to sugar and bad food. I couldn’t stop and I was out of control. I was gaining an insane amount of weight but I didn’t care.. I just wanted more and more of my fix. My whole body and skin were inflamed and I knew that if I had something like chicken and rice, the rice would be like a little sprinkle of hard drugs to a drug user. Any carbs would trigger my desire for sugar and more carbs. So I completely cut carbs out of my diet because I realized how bad my problem with carbs and sugar became. The craving for them went away completely which is something I never ever thought would happen or could see myself doing (this is just what worked for me.) Sugar and food addiction is so powerful and difficult to have and I genuinely feel for anyone stuck in that whirlwind of emotion and hormonal fluctuations etc. Thanks for the informative video 💕

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Ana-Maria Peric you are very welcome 🙏🏼

[@liveandletdi5590]

Fantastic video, Abbey!

[@JustKristenHere]

I do better with intuitive eating on holidays than the rest of the year, especially during finals. Thanks for the tips :)

[@AbbeysKitchen]

JustKristenHere 🙏🏼❤️

[@xinyizhao9248]

Thanks for this amazing research-based video, Abbey! I have a background of BED and I'm trying really hard to include the kinds of food that I used to restrict into my meals. But one thing that I still struggle with is that I still can't seem to have a good control over them. I still end up binging on them even if I don't intentionally do much restriction. I'm very much stressed about this and have no solution to it

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Xinyi Zhao we will address this as a reader question but before you can get fully started w IE, I recommend working with a dietitian and therapist.

[@xinyizhao9248]

@@AbbeysKitchen Thanks Abbey!

[@GirlsonKeyPoetry]

Great video, very informative, thank you. I've been buying all of the 'off limits' food as part of my intuitive eating journey and it totally quashed the novelty/binge factor. I've had chips, chocolate covered pretzels and lollies in my house for weeks! That was previously unheard of!!

[@bossladyk3827]

This is the video I needed today!!! Thank you

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Kellie Gibb 🙏🏼❤️

[@nataliaa.1094]

Cuddling babies is most definitely addictive😍😊

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Natalia S. Right! Aw especially my lil pumpkin

[@freespiritkaro3414]

Hey Abbey, thank you for your much needed voice of common sense, science and experience, you do a brilliant job with your channel :) Could you talk more about the relationship between the body’s set point and levels of physical activity / exercise please ?

[@sabrinac.5916]

Unrelated: this sweater is super cute.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Sabrina Constans thanks!

[@jettasify]

I'm here! Thank you so much for this 😁

[@AbbeysKitchen]

jettasify 🙏🏼❤️

[@adoseofoptimism6680]

Thank you, I needed this, first unbiased opinion I have heard!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

so glad

[@laurenw1168]

this makes so much sense for kids :) I've always thought that restricting sugary foods because they're "bad" means that they'll go crazy when they have the opportunity to make their own choices. growing up I was taught that any food is fine in moderation. i thought that was helpful :)

[@brittcoffee913]

I love these videos - keep them coming!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Britt Coffee will do!

[@messily1456]

Thanks for such a well-balanced discussion!

[@reemalxo]

I'm working on an assignment for sugar addiction so thanks so much for the research links! I have a sugar addiction so this was very helpful. TYSM. :D

[@theshunnedBandersnatch]

This was a great video. HAES isn't for me at this point in my life and I don't agree with every tenet, but I have so much respect for the way that you've backtracked a bit to examine both sides of the issues. Two thumbs up for this series 👍🏾👍🏾

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Kimberlee Green thank you! 🙏🏼❤️

[@RCola1217]

I'm just sitting her binging your videos cause I just found you on the YousTubes 🙃. You are hella smart and informed. I struggle with a really bad relationship with food. This is helping me understanding how my body and brain works 😃.

[@sonny5552]

Thank you so much this for video. I feel like I've learned a lot in seventeen minutes & have a greater appreciation for intuitive eating now. Wishing you & your family a happy holiday season Abbey!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Sonny Akioka thank you!

[@DiningWithTara]

As an oncology nurse also obtaining my NP degree - I greatly appreciate your performed research in order to better discuss the topic at hand ❤️

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Dining With Tara thank you 🙏🏼❤️

[@ManningInterpreter]

Excellent video, Abbey! I think you did a great job of breaking it down and explaining the science. Again, as a professional (psychotherapist) I wish I lived in your area so I could send patients to you. I think some of the desire to hold onto the label of addiction is because most people associate addictions with destroying or consuming someone’s life. Food often does that for people. The behavioral underpinnings of addictions and problematic behaviors are very similar. However, as you mentioned the approach to dealing with those is very different. In the end the diagnosis can sometimes be helpful in accessing treatment if your insurance requires it. However, the drive to seek treatment for things that are obviously causing distress should not depend on a diagnosis.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Jason Manning thanks for sharing this 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@flamencoaddict]

Thanks so much for doing this. It is very helpful!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

flamencoaddict so glad

[@gannm1840]

Relatable. I never had a big sweet tooth (I mean, I liked sweets but never felt driven to seek them or craved them or anything) until I got sick with my eating disorder (so, not allowing them), got stuck in the restrict/binge/purge cycle and then just wanted nothing but girl scout cookies until I did a lot of work on recovery and healing...and allowing myself unconditional permission to eat girl scout cookies :)

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Gann M yayyyy

[@pia9439]

Thank u for this video I really needed this ❤️

[@jacqwilson118]

Really good video. Thank you!! Very helpful!!!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Jacqueline Wilson thanks!

[@katfoster845]

You have the same name as my favourite childhood author.

[@ruthiemenzies6956]

Maybe you could do a video on intuitive eating with food allergies and other medically necessary food restrictions.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Ruthie Menzies great idea

[@emabeckley6890]

Ever so thankful for your channel. xoxo

[@AbbeysKitchen]

guts ❤️❤️❤️

[@veronikawolf575]

Thank you. Just thank you for this.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Veronika Wolf ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Cristalmate]

I would love to see a video on your take of the spendthrifty and thrifty phenotypic explanation for why some people are more susceptible to gaining weight. Great vid, keep it up!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Cristalmate great question!

[@annefitzgerald1744]

Yes, great question! I would love to know more about this.

[@ladygoodman7439]

What is your opinion on Candida, SIBO and Leaky Gut? Would love to see a video on this!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Lady Goodman I’ll write it down!

[@Psychwriteify]

I asked one dietician about leaky gut and the answer was basically it's complicated, so I am really interested in hearing more about the research from someone who is qualified to interpret it.

[@ladygoodman7439]

Yes-so many western doctors don’t seem to even recognize it, although I recently did lab testing through an extraordinary company called Dunwoody Labs that tests for Zonulin, Histamine, DAO, and LPS levels and saved me! I only mention because they would be a great resource for info. 👍🏼

[@livthedream91]

Lady Goodman I LOVE your user name!!!😂❤️.

[@valeriemcdonald440]

I am glad you decided to talk about this. I would like to see some more discussion on how hormones and other health conditions can affect your body's hunger signals, particularly hyperinsulinemia, PCOS, IBS, Celiac, etc. I am also curious on whether you would consider vegetarian and vegan diets restrictive. I was thinking about the part where you said that the rodents wanted sugar more when their access was restricted; I am pretty sure my vegan friend would not say the same about meat. (I think she might destroy me for even suggesting it, LOL)

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Valerie McDonald totally I have a video coming up about PCOS and vegan / intuitive eating so stay with me

[@AngelicaGarcia-ec1vt]

Yes, this totally makes sense. It goes along with so many theories. That food is food, not good or bad. That if you're craving something, eat it. Because I've found that denying yourself leads to overeating. Everything in moderation. You can eat a brownie, just not an entire pan of brownies. I'm really digging this trusting your body, intuitive eating!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Angelica Garcia yes!🙌🏼

[@mylovelyreborns2596]

No I can't do most carbs in moderation. This is so frustrating to read over and over again. I hope one day people will learn that not all people can handle processed junk aka bad but very tasty crap. Just like an alcoholic can't drink alcohol in moderation we can not just have one brownie. Intuitive eating would lead to morbid obesity for me. Please respect that all bodies are not exactly the same and just because you can have processed sugars in moderation I can't. Insulin resistance is a real and deadly condition if not managed in time.

[@EmbodyYourDivinity]

@@mylovelyreborns2596 My path of freedom from food began with me cutting out out all of my "alcoholic" foods because like you I couldn't just have a little of something. It would just turn into a binge. Over the last decade of living free from my food addiction, I have developed a keen sense of what feels good in my body and what doesn't. Today, there are some of those previously "alcoholic" foods that I can eat in moderation because I've gotten free from my addiction. And there are some foods that I no longer binge on but that when I have a bite of, hurt my stomach so I just don't eat them. I agree that many nutritionists don't understand the point that you're making bc they might not have had a real food addiction before. But I also want to share with you that it is possible for you to access a level of freedom from food addiction where you get restored to a state of inner trust and neutrality with food, so that you are able to eat in a more intuitive way.

[@heather6711]

Loved this video! Super informative & sugar addiction is definitely something I struggle with 😭 Could you maybe do a future video about food cravings and whether or not that is you body 'asking' for a certain nutrient that is found in that food that you are lacking, or is it just your brain craving that dopamine response from something that was in that food like you were talking about in this video. I'm sort of confused because in the eating disorder recovery community we hear a lot about listening to your body and eating whatever it craves because it is lacking in that certain nutrient/ nutrients, but a lot of the time these foods are high in sugar and high in fat... Which tend to be addictive and lead to more cravings??

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Heather Ling great questions I’m on it

[@heather6711]

Abbey Sharp ahh thank you! I love all the work and effort you put into your videos ❤️

[@ecstaticbutter9164]

Evolutionary! One of my favorite branches of science. Exciting to see you mention it ☺️ 🧬

[@UnicoYoutube]

Oh man, sadly, not limiting my access to my addicting food isn‘t an option, since it triggers my auto-immunedisease.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

HeyUnico that’s different, and that would be built into self care and intuitive eatint

[@sparkrunner1237]

I have coeliac disease and I feel this :(

[@MvXcountry07]

Abbey I absolutely loved this video!! Thank you. I am so curious what your thoughts and opinions are on the holistic programs like IIN, Bauman, etc. I recently finished one and while I do feel like I learned so much I don’t feel like I could or should be someone’s nutrition consultant, but rather create great meal plans and nudge them in positive directions. I hate to see people step over the dietician - line.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

MvXcountry07 thank you. I’m glad you learned some things but I agree, it’s a far farrrr cry from a dietitians training and some things I’ve seen in those programs are actually flat out incorrect. So procedure with a critical mind

[@amandacarvalho3527]

Once i quit sugar and refined carbs for almost a year, i slimed up considerably but after that restrict diet i went crazy when i tasted ice cream and pasta again it was like the most delicious thing in the universe, ate so much of the stuff that i gained the wheight back.

[@anitafoss1937]

Late to the party again but appreciate your time and information. It's such a sad thing that many GP's just hand out VERY restrictive diet plans to patients

[@BasicallyLauralol]

Hi Abbey, I love your videos. Could you do one about tips and foods to eat and avoid when there is gastritis and/or acid reflux. I have it really bad and medicines can only help me for a few weeks at a time.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Laura Romero sure!

[@AllTheArtsy]

First off, I love the discussion. Especially with holidays coming up, this is so crucial. But also, the lighting for "Switzerland" is so much better. The rest is overexposed. Is this the aesthetic lol?

[@AbbeysKitchen]

All The Artsy I agree! We’re currently trying to figure out how to fix this

[@cuesitiondedibujotec]

Hey, Abby. Speaking of food addiction, i wanted to ask: I read in a book that ADHD is related to food addiction because sometimes the kick of energy certain foods have can help your brain function better, lowering the symptoms of ADHD, so it can become a vicious cycle. I was wondering, how true is this? And also, if it is true, how does someone handle this situation? Awesome video as always! Xx

[@Kitty-hb3he]

Great video and I could relate very well. I developed binge eating after a period of dieting. I kept trying to get it under control by making more rules, but it only got worse. Food was on my mind all the time. I finally stopped binge eating completely after removing all restrictions from my diet in a desperate attempt to regain my sanity. In doing so, I had to tolerate not losing any weight for a year or two. I focused on filling myself with healthy and nutritious foods first whenever possible, then I ate whatever I wanted after. I made nutrition my priority and ignored my weight and shape as best as possible. And who would have thought, I actually slimmed down to a pretty good weight after a few more years, and I don't even think much about food anymore. I hate diets. I will never diet again in my life. This is just my story though, binge eating and other eating disorders are complex. If you think you suffer from one, please seek help.

[@alexandradonnell]

Even though I have an intolerance to gluten and dairy (terrible stomach and skin issues when I consume it) I still find myself binging on allll the bread and cheese! It’s almost like as soon as a doctor told me not to eat it that it’s all I crave. I’ll accept the misery that follows and still do it again! Do you think the same psychological effects from trying to stop eating sugar would also apply to a food group you’ve been told you shouldn’t eat for health issues? If so, that gives me a little hope that my willpower doesn’t just suck 😅

[@AbbeysKitchen]

alexandradonnell I absolutely think so. Deprivation is so powerful

[@AChickandaDuck]

This rings so true for me. I’ve been on an intuitive eating journey for a while now. I always thought I was addicted to sugar, because I craved it literally all the time. Other people would tell me when they did low carb diets or sugar fasts that the cravings disappeared after a few days, but for me they never did! I would hoard candy and ice cream and always had a hidden chocolate stash. I’ve been working through a lot of my food control issues and learning that food is just food, it’s not good or bad. And wouldn’t you know it ... I don’t like sugary food that much anymore. 😱 When it comes time for dessert, often I just don’t want it. I never in a million years thought that would happen! If I do want it, I go ahead and eat it, and usually I am satisfied with just a little bit. Mind-blowing!!!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Chels W 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@andreakretz9416]

I wished you would cover flavor enhancer/ glutamate. I am always craving potato chips or foods like those ramenpackages with a flavor pack. Would be interesting to hear about it. 🙏🏼

[@warriorwolfette]

I have had a really unhealthy relationship with food most of my life- junk food wasn't allowed in my house growing up, SO- when I became able to buy/make my own food, I chose sweet/salty/fatty foods. I have struggled with that for the majority of my life to get under control. I try to cut back, but I find myself mindlessly snacking without thinking about it and also I find myself eating regardless of if I am hungry. I find food stressful but also I use it to placate my own stress or emotions. I have EDNOS, but not a food addiction. I just have zero willpower and poor mental health so I cannot break this habit. I have tried, and I will be able to do well for at least a few years, but I always fall right back into the same poor eating habits. It's so much stress for me.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Emily George I understand. I’ll be chatting about some of the hormonal influences in another video to come

[@juliannetruelove1686]

I love your videos so much. I’m currently a nutrition major in my 3rd year and this keeps me going to be able to get my degree. Thanks for putting out the content and backing it up with science!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Julianne Truelove ❤️🙏🏼

[@ronjakh]

I am convinced that I am addicted to sugar and bread/baked goods/pasta in general. I can’t have just a little bit, I can’t have one cookie, I can’t have one square of chocolate or one slice of pizza etc. I almost always end up finishing the packet, if not in one sitting then in a short amount of time. I do have an addictive personality. I started gaining weight when I quit smoking and have gained 50 kg in ten years. I used to be a heavy drinker and was one of those who drank until I lost control, also dabbled in drugs and I most likely wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t pulled out of that environment by a friend.

[@EmbodyYourDivinity]

this used to be me too. I couldnt just have one of any tasty food and I also dabbled in drugs. I was someone who definitely lost control over my eating but today I'm free from all of it. Sounds like you are also on your path to being free from it.

[@cassandrelosser5826]

I've often asked me if I had a sugar addiction but I stopped labeling myself bcs it makes me feel so bad every tim i would eat sweets and as I have had eating disorder and yoyo weight (+- 10kilos every years), and now that I grew up I started to be less restrictive on my diet (intuitive eating is it maybe ?) and I feel so much better. Thank you for the amazing content you give

[@KTRN52]

Personal growth rant: I really like this video. I'm getting over COVID and since having it I've had an aversion to very sweet food and drink. Overall, my appetite has decreased. Initially, it was so bad I began tracking my calories just to make sure I was eating close enough to my healthy day's worth of food. On the other hand, since my body has gone through this extreme reboot I've decided to try eating out less since I was extremely reliant on fast food (I couldn't dine out anyway because fast food made me feel worse). I've noticed that I'm less bloated, retain less water, and my digestion is much easier. I've been monitoring my eating more closely to understand calories, macronutrients, sugar and sodium intake. Unfortunately, I started my cycle again for the second time in 14 days thanks to COVID. My body immediately began to crave sugar and I was worried about sinking into a bad habit. Initially, I purchased a low sugar treat. It was good but I still felt very blah. My body was demanding chocolate and added sugar. When I ate the chocolate I felt better. I literally felt relief and eventually a bit more balanced. Going forward I want to be mindful of my sugar, fat, and sodium intake but not to my overall detriment. I'm 34 and learning how to eat properly after years of just eating. Combine my nutrition ignorance with an antidepressant and a national lock-down that made overeating comforting, and I was unrecognizable when I looked in the mirror. Now, walking through grocery stores is a little overwhelming because I never truly realized how inundated we are to have "easy" (pre-made, pre-packed, processed) food options. Easy is sometimes necessary and I'm thankful that it's an option. However, I'm finally seeing the real benefit of cooking more of my own meals. My takeaway is that I still have a long way to go. It's so easy to pick up negative food perceptions and associating easy food with being bad. Also, now that I have a slightly better understanding with food, I want to combine it with exercise. Wish me luck. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. 😅

[@marisellopez6022]

Idk everytime i buy any food like chocolates or chips i binge it. Thats why i dont buy unhealthy snacks, because i will 100% only eat that food when im hungry and its available.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Marisel Cruz sounds like restrictive mentality underlying this. I’ll touch on this next week

[@ceezed2230]

Would love to see you review Jeff Cavaliere's 'Full Day of Eating'. Him and his channel are considered the best there is by/on fitness KZbin, and his attitude to food seemed refreshingly healthy from my amateur perspective!

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Cee Zed wrote it down!

[@biddypercy319]

Interesting topic. I would love to hear more about it but in regards to children....I feel like we unconsiously limit and control "bad" food with our kids only to then treat them with it!! Which only makes the "forbidden fruit" more desirable!

[@felipegutierrez1871]

I love this video

[@matt24680]

This is so true with me. I never binged in candy or sweets (maybe because i dont love candy- just kinda like it) because my family always had bowls of candy out. It was a staple for the living room. I think I probably eat two pieces of candy each week? Because I know its always there

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Just another college boy 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@peternorton7665]

you are so right!!...i have abstained from sugar , starches and carbs...I had an italian icee....I binged..i ate 12 packs of the ice cream!...so i have experienced this addition.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

peter norton 👌🏼👌🏼

[@xmiss.bunnyx]

I'm definitely more likely to binge if i don't have foods in the house. If i have loads of treats in the house that i know i have access to at any time I'm less likely to want them because i know i can have them at any time. My house mate is the oppposite and always asks me how I'm able to have so much chocolate and sweet stuff in. But i just don't feel the compulsion to binge on them if theyre there.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Sarah Duffton yes! That’s common

[@abcxyz4653]

That’s interesting. I’m the opposite. If I don’t see it, I forget about it. But it’s hard to resist if I’m hungry and there’s something super easy and tasty sitting there staring at me

[@xmiss.bunnyx]

@@abcxyz4653 The only thing that I don't feel I have control over is if I've baked something. I create recipes and bake a lot and i noticed when I had made a batch of something I couldn't stop a binge happening if it was in. So now I have a routine where I hand them out to the homeless and to friends and don't leave myself enough to binge on.

[@Lady.Luck.]

If you're not on a diet, and not restricting yourself, aren't you effectively intuitively eating? And many people still end up overweight

[@mackenzie1845]

I have an issue where I eat until i'm absolutely stuffed and feel sick. People tell me to just eat til i'm "satisfied" but I have no idea how that feels because i'm so used to overeating. Is this related to BED? And how do I fix it?

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Mackenzie Sanchez we will be covering this in the IE series

[@mackenzie1845]

@@AbbeysKitchen Thank you!

[@marias788]

As someone having ex-lab rats rescues I had to Stop watching after the descriptions of the testing got more detailed! Would haved loved to watch all of the video though

[@sarakjeldsen769]

I'd love to adopt a rescue rat!

[@MierRocio]

Love that sweater for her

[@jordandior3191]

I feel with me, my sugar addiction was and still is, mostly psychological. I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes almost a decade ago. My eating of sugary shit got completely out of control after that. For 10 years, I bought two half gallons of ice cream each week and ate both within 2 days. I drank sugary coffee drinks almost every day. I ate donuts for breakfast. It was completely out of control. Every 4 months my A1c got higher and so did the amount of insulin I had to take. What saved me, ironically, was being diagnosed with a fatty liver. After the pandemic, I will have to go in for special bloodwork and maybe a biopsy. I do NOT want a liver transplant. That was enough to scare me away from what I was doing. I no longer eat like a raccoon in a dumpster. However, I do still struggle a bit. I no longer eat dairy, but last night while shopping, I did buy 2 pints of dairy free ice cream. I rationalized it by saying, well, it's okay because there's no animal fat in it and I'll just have a couple of spoonfuls a day and it should last a week. Well, no such luck. I finished both pints in an hour. The reality is I cannot have sugary stuff like that anymore. My sugar intake will have to be limited to a slice of birthday cake and a slice of cheesecake at the holidays. I am limiting my sugar to just apples and blueberries on a daily basis. These are healthy foods that I don't have a desire to binge on. And I think my psycholigical addiction to sugar came from being told that I could no longer have the things that I loved eating when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I wish I had listened to the doctors better and I wouldn't have these health issues today.

[@andreakretz9416]

Hey Abbey. Love you’re channel!! I have a really hard time “cutting out” processed food. I crave a lot salty foods like potato chips, soy sauce or stuff like those instant ramen packages. Is that an addiction of ingredient or salt? Is there scientific research to read about that? I can’t say if they are just mental cravings or physical(How can one find out ?). And do you have some tips how to get used to not eat so much processed food. ( it’s not that I don’t want to cut them out completely, love Them way to much, but I just don’t want the feeling to Need them but just to want them, if that’s makes sense)

[@88tongued]

The idea that mindful intuitive eating isn't a form of restriction or restrictive eating is false. No results come without effort, and even mindfulness takes patience, effort, and self-restraint. It happens to be a very efficient form of restriction, because the results of effort are really maximized. Claiming intuitive eating isn't effort or self-binding probably leads many to experience the dietary/lifestyle equivalent of "Stanford duck syndrome." Also, ideological purism oversimplifies the array of different forms of eating disorder and the differences in personality which make certain approaches for the same given eating disorder more or less helpful. There are valuable tools and perspectives to be found with the food addiction camp as well as the intuitive eating camp, but straw-manning the other side, sneering and judging and getting wrapped up in self-righteous contempt, exhibitionism, and religiosity and over-identification with a rigid ideology creates a lot of drama and noise which make it hard for people to locate these valuable insights.

[@ruthiemenzies6956]

This is so interesting. I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2009 and i before that i never really struggled with overeating. But now that i feel like loads of foods are off limits and special because i can never have gluten, i find that im "treating" myself everytime i find a gluten free version of something that i used to love, and i over do it. I wonder how to get around this feeling of restriction when obviously I can't start just eating whatever i want.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Ruthie Menzies great question on it

[@Soaring_Seajay]

This is interesting. All of this food stuff is so confusing. I am not obese, but have gained about 20 pounds after quitting smoking the last time a few years ago. Right before I quit I was pleased with how I looked. The previous time I had quit smoking (5 yrs ago) I was in a commercial so had a personal trainer for 9 months who talked to me about nutrition. We used MyFitnessPal to track calories / macros and worked out super hard 3 times per week. It worked for me, I felt great mentally and aesthetically. Now, I still work out on my own but am not pleased with how my body looks. It gets better when I use various ways of tracking or systems (like 21 day fix food containers) but it’s like I can’t control myself when not tracking. When I eat “intuitively” I gorge on all kinds of crap food.. It’s like there’s no middle ground. I also have IBS & auto immune issues. I eat healthier than anyone I know. But I am not happy with how I look and don’t know what to do. The sugar addiction thing made sense to me because that is the main thing I can’t resist (esp during PMDD time) but now I feel confused all over again. lol. I really don’t know what to do, especially with all kinds of people touting “their” way the way to go.

[@AbbeysKitchen]

Sea Jay thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s definitely confusing with so many people claiming to be “experts”. Stay tuned for more videos on this topic