Much like alcoholism and drug use, food addiction is a very serious disease. It's an obsession with food and weight and occurs when someone loses control over how much and what they eat. It’s a lifetime chronic illness that only gets worse if left untreated.  

Many food addicts struggle with foods high in sugar and flour, with pizza, ice cream, and chocolate topping the list of addictive foods. 

When it comes to symptoms, most food addicts:  

• Are obsessed with food
• Have dug food out of the garbage
• Hide food
• Lie about food and eating habits
• Eat in isolation
• Eat when they’re not hungry
• Think about food and weight all the time
• Want to stop eating but can’t 
• Exercise, vomit, or use laxatives to control weight

For those struggling with food addiction, Jennifer Alembik, a Food Addiction Coach and recovering food addict, recommends staying away from foods that come in bags, boxes and cans. If you know which foods are the most triggering, she advises permanently cutting those foods out of your diet. Much like alcoholism, moderation does not exist with food addicts. 

She also recommends keeping a food journal, establishing and committing to morning and nighttime routines, and identifying triggers and finding new ways to cope when triggered.