Weekly Vlog: Food Addiction Amnesia

A few weeks ago, someone wrote to our customer support center. She wasn’t a member, and she’s not in the Boot Camp, but she found us and wrote in. Her email said: “How do I stop the amnesia that sets in when I’m off sugar and flour and go back to thinking I can eat it ‘just once,’ but then my life falls apart all over again?”
Aaaaah. Such a great question! You’ve stumbled onto one of the defining features of addiction. Almost 100 years ago, some men discovered this phenomenon. In the 1930s, they developed The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and what you’ve written is something they focused on.
There’s a paragraph in The Big Book that says: “The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called willpower becomes practically non-existent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink.”
They follow this with numerous examples to illustrate how people pick up a drink with no effective thought about the consequences.
One example is when you have thoughts of resisting the urge to eat that are so underdeveloped in size and magnitude that they don’t offer anything close to sound reasoning. You have plenty of evidence that the consequences will be tremendous, but your brain doesn’t work in that moment. That’s addiction. But another, similar situation-like being allergic to strawberries-your brain works just fine. If you eat one strawberry and suffer the consequences, you know enough not to eat them again. But with food addiction, that connection doesn’t work.
Three things are going on in your brain that explain this.
The first is ineffectiveness in the prefrontal cortex. Addictive impulses are generated deep in the part of the brain that gives a good dopamine rush when you eat highly rewarding food. But lots of things can hijack those reward structures, including modern-day concoctions of sugar and flour.
The prefrontal cortex is where executive functions are happening. Things like planning, evaluating options, and decision-making. What happens in addiction is that the prefrontal cortex stops having the ability to override impulses.
Second, we have a phenomenon called state-dependent learning and state-dependent memory. These cognitive functions have to do with states such as where you are, how you feel, and what substance you’re on. When you’re in the state of not eating sugar and flour, your brain selectively recalls all the times you’ve been in that same state and you feel like life is good and you’re in control-that’s state-dependent learning. In that state, it’s harder to call to mind the state you would be in after you picked up those foods.
Third, we have procedural memory. A procedural memory is implicit-it’s also called muscle memory-and an example is knowing how to ride a bike. You get on a bike, and it comes back to you even if you haven’t ridden in years. Procedural memories are automatic and don’t require conscious decisions to execute them. The actions that happen in eating are also procedural memories, so you can find yourself eating in a familiar situation, like having a plate in your hand and going down a buffet line, and suddenly anything and everything is on your plate and you didn’t really make a “decision” to eat all that.
So what do you do about it?
What the men in AA concluded was this: “We’re absolutely hopeless, there’s no solution to this, therefore our defense must come from God because we are without human aid.” They encapsulated this orientation toward God in the 12 Steps.
That approach works and it’s shorthand for: you’re going to have to work a heck of a program.
So, to my writer: from what you’ve written, we’re really not supposed to diagnose people, but what you’ve written is truly the hallmark of food addiction. The impairment and distress you’re describing is the foundation of late-stage addiction.
What that means is that you have a fatal, incurable, progressive disease. The only solution is to work a very strong program. You’re not in the Bright Line Eating Boot Camp. You need to get in it.
What will that do? It will give you an identity as someone who doesn’t eat sugar and flour. And you need to put it first, even before your family, because if you do that, you’ll get to show up for your family every day, with love to share-because your life won’t be falling apart.
There’s no easy answer here. It’s a life-changer to realize the extent of the problem you have.
But your whole life will be different if you’re using a full-bodied, comprehensive treatment to deal with the condition that you’ve got. It’s the only way.
FOR THIS VLOG, PODCASTS, TRANSCRIPTS-and MORE: ble.life/A8F9pH

[@pamelamariglia5576]

It feels like I have amnesia about the amnesia… I have to keep watching this vlog to keep my head clear. After a day or two I forget the truth that I am not “cured” from food addiction, just because I have been bright for a few weeks or months!

[@leahchase3699]

I’m fairly recent in my food sobriety journey, but once I realized (and faced) that I ONLY have control over whether I have the first taste, but it’s a runaway train after that, I have not had a problem even during extreme stress staying away from the foods I need to. It’s a bit scary to think I could suddenly forget what I have now faced and deeply accepted. I will keep an eye out, and appreciate the warning!

[@carlasaunders3983]

Was off flour and sugar for almost two years in December. Fell off for 19 days from a life changing stress. Ate sugar like there was no tomorrow. Then again on a week long trip to Hawaii. Went to bed with tummy ache almost every night from so much sugar. I didn't even think I binged and now I realize I forgot and will continue to do so no matter how long I've been off sugar. 😢I hope I learned my lesson.

[@Brightlineeating]

Sending you so much love 🧡

[@lauriechurch7810]

I did Bright Line Eating. I am greatful for Dr. Susan's book which is so educational and helps the reader take the blame off themselves for the addiction.. I love the science. The science of addiction needs to be a requirement in the school system. I am angry at the food industry that gets away with loading our foods with addictive ingredients to purposefully get us addicted. The junk food isle in the grocery stores has doubled maybe tripled in space. For the love of money at the expense of the publics health. The FDA and the Diabetes Association do nothing to protect us or educate us. Brighte Line Eating is a great holistic program. Its is worth every penny. Dr. Susan knows the program so well I was amazed how she could relate to exactly how I felt at each stage of the diet. She had a suggestion and explanation for whatever was happening throughout the diet. The support is fantastic. She is an angel.

[@Brightlineeating]

💖💖

[@KarlFuelling]

Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge and experience. I am coming up on 26 years of sobriety and have 6 years in BLE. I cried through the end of your vlog. So spot on!

[@hannahcampbell8196]

A thought about being allergic to strawberries (refer to about 8min): I have been told that I have "chronic allergies" (environmental, cosmetic, etc) and I actually regularly get allergy shots. I also have had bad eczema throughout my life, which often gets flared up by my allergies. In January of 2022, I had just completed the 14 day challenge and had been pretty clean from sugar. My 21st birthday came around and my family took me to breakfast. I LOVE sweet breakfast foods so I couldn't resist and I ordered blackberry stuffed french toast. It was delicious!! My stomach felt fine. All was good! The next morning I woke up with red blotches on my face and swollen eyes, etc. It was because of the french toast!! I felt groggy and gross for days afterward. Now I'm not allergic to sugar/flour, but they did cause me to have a reaction similar to if I had been allergic. Sugar and flour are INFLAMMATORY and they are not good for my already bas allergies and dry skin. It took me another year before I was able to really dive in and decide to do BLE. My skin is so much better!! My allergies are often at bay. Since I hit my BLE one year mark two months ago, I have been slacking on my lines and I can feel it. I am a 10 on the susceptibility scale, and even after having an "allergic" reaction like that I am still struggling. Its crazy what addiction can do to your brain! So yeah, it's a process. I'm making more of an effort to rezoom now and I feel good!! Yesterday was good!! Here's to a BRIGHT today, too! I just wanted to share this because I did in fact have an allergic reaction and it took me a year to actually step away after that, and even now its still hard!

[@Brightlineeating]

We sure do appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences 🧡 Here's to your next Bright day 🥰🥰

[@elizabethmarshall3558]

This is perfect for me! I've listened to vlogs for years. I have the cookbook and read One Bright Day at a Time. I lost 30 lbs since the start of the pandemic. Went from obese to overweight. I put a star on my calendar for every bright day. But every weekly grocery store trip I bring home one little NMF and think I'll eat one bite a day. Never works that way! I've been working at it enough now that I experience an emotional and mental fuzziness when I let myself not be clean. Even just thinking about it generates that fuzziness. That must be the addiction chemicals in the brain. Thank you for everything Susan and the Bright Line Eating team. If you're ever in Missoula Montana say HI.

[@Brightlineeating]

We sure appreciate you taking the time to comment 🧡🌟💖

[@Greta-veo]

Спасибо Вам за всё, что вы делаете!

[@jammiescanlon-cleary1849]

This vlog was incredible. Please put this in the curriculum for boot campers or please resend it for everyone. Those words were so profound. Got to the heart of the matter. Thank you so much.

[@elizabethmarshall3558]

And I agree staying away from anything that looks like or has the texture of NMF is vital. Per a recent vlog.

[@katiegatica]

Thank you for talking about this! For me, this topic was timely, and articulates in words something I've been struggling with for a long time. It's so true that the brain is really good at forgetting why you care about being abstinent, and then you kick yourself afterwards wondering why you didn't remember how much pain and regret always follow your addicitve actions. I have found that relying on God is the only thing that works to pull me out of that deception in the moment. Thank you Susan for talking about this!

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@beamerlynda]

This is a fabulous vlog! I think I need to watch this every day. It’s just such a great reminder of the impact of eating off plan, the consequences of breaking my daily commitment. I really appreciate the explanation of why we forget those consequences and think it’ll be okay if we have a break. Thanks so much, SPT!

[@JohnsDeb]

I’m with you! I think I’ll watch it often, as a reminder!

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for watching! 🌟🌟

[@erinanderson7758]

I was thinking I need to listen to it regularly as well.

[@chasingpeace2005]

Excellent vlog-thank you! As an aside, I feel like my body reacts to sugar like I have an allergy to it, I guess from the inflammation it causes, and yet I "forget." I think sugar is uniquely addictive.

[@Melissa-pb6wv]

Wow Susan you really knocked it out of the park this time! I mean you hit the nail on the head like I've never heard (or read) you hit it before. OMG! NOW WHAT?!

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for taking the time to comment 🥰💗🥰

[@seekthetruth824]

i have never heard anyone address my food relationship like her. she is spot on. my guess is, some people just like to eat too much, and they can stop it if they want, but i am an all or nothing guy. i totally have the amnesia thing. i got excited last week becuase we were going out to eat at a really good restaurant, and then i remembered like an hour later that i could not eat what i wanted. it was weird that i didn't think of that right away. its like my old habits have tentacles wrapped around current memory and keep injecting poison that makes my current memory forget what i went through.

[@kristinefrkjr215]

Thank you so much, Susan 🥰

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you! 🧡🧡

[@ameasureoffreedom]

It’s like you read my mind! (And my blog from a few days ago 😂😂😂) I know you didn’t! Haha! You probably shot this weeks ago but MAN the universe is aligning our thoughts these days!❤

[@Brightlineeating]

Isn't that amazing when that happens!?! 🧡🧡🧡

[@keepitmoving777]

I’m sorry to say that I’m laughing but I’m cracking up at the way you’re describing the solution to her problem because I can relate oh so well! I was clean from my sugar addiction for six months and then…. RELAPSE and I must say I’ve lied to myself about the fact that I can have just one piece of….or a little bit of…. The reality is as you put it “one is too many and 1,000 is never enough!” Sugar addiction is bizarre and sneaky.

[@Brightlineeating]

So sneaky! 🫂

[@karenlimbrick4583]

OMG this is so relative to me and my journey

[@seekthetruth824]

Good stuff. One thing, if i may add to this. The thing about putting the food program over family. I think it is better to see it like you would breathing, or drinking water, or earning money for your family. Technically, you are putting breathing, and water and making money over your family as you do these things for the bigger picture of your family, not because water and breathing and working are more important than your family. Noone would say, or believe that breathing is more important, or "over" the family, but in a sense it is, becuase you have to do this, in order to live for the bigger picture. just a thought.

[@williammann8994]

Amen sister! Great blog.

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for your kind words! 🧡🧡

[@candicers7697]

She might be on the waiting list for BLE bootcamp, like I am. It’s months away. 😢

[@Carolina-uu5ji]

❤

[@beverlythrasher8382]

My story exactly 😢

[@Brightlineeating]

Sending you love 🧡

[@Endtimerevolutionist208]

Nothing above FATHER GOD. Spouse, children, and food program 2nd.

[@vidyasagarkumar2650]

looking next live session Zoom links etc.

[@Brightlineeating]

Hi there, Thanks so much for reaching out! Our support team would be happy to help. Please head to support.brightlineeating.com and send them a message and they'll get you taken care of. Have an amazing day! 😉

[@eshjane]

I don’t think you should use Alcoholics Anonymous in your video.

[@taratucker2561]

Why do you say that? I'm curious

[@rickturnr]

Some experts say most Americans have an eating disorder