Sudden craving and intense desire to eat something is called addiction. There are many types of such addictions like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs etc., but you will be surprised to know that there is also something called food addiction. Due to lack of knowledge about it, many people struggle with it and are unable to adopt ways to deal with it. At the same time, some people consider food addiction as craving, while both are very different from each other. In such a situation, today in this article we will know the difference between food addiction and craving-

What is food addiction?

Food addiction is an eating disorder, which in simple words, when food is not just a necessity and a means of providing energy, but becomes a diet for pleasure and mental peace, which becomes uncontrolled and starts playing with our physical and mental health, then it is called food addiction. This can happen due to the additives present in the food or any special dieting. When a person goes through food addiction, then food itself becomes like a drug for him.

Signs of food addiction

• You keep searching for something to eat all the time and keep eating.
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• The thought of food never leaves your mind. After having a meal, you immediately start thinking about eating something else.
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• You start hiding the food so that no one else can get hold of it.
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• When asked how much you ate, you get upset and then lie.
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• You are ready to go to any extent to satisfy your binge eating.
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• Your eating habits start affecting your body, your life and even your relationships.
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• Once he starts eating, he wants to keep eating more.

What are cravings?

Cravings are powerful urges that often involve cravings for ultra-processed foods like chocolate or ice cream. They often occur when the body is either nutrient-deficient, has an imbalanced blood sugar, or is stressed or anxious. This signals the body to crave for an energy boost, to make up for nutrient deficiencies, or to get a dopamine hit.

It is temporary and is triggered by a specific situation, such as stress or hormonal imbalance. Cravings are just one part of food addiction. While food addiction is a disease in itself, a food disorder, it is very important to identify it.

What is more harmful?

Both food addiction and craving are harmful for a healthy body. Therefore, it would be better to take a diet rich in nutrition. Do not stay hungry for long periods of time, eat as little ultra-processed snacks as possible, stop eating according to your environment and mood. Do not eat just because you are watching a movie or the weather is good. Eat only when you are hungry.