Food Junkies: The Truth About Food Addiction

by Vera Tarman, Philip Werdell (With)

Overview

A fact-filled guide to coping with compulsive overeating problems by an experienced addictions doctor who draws on many patients’ stories of recovery.

Overeating, binge eating, obesity, anorexia, and bulimia: Food Junkies tackles the complex, poorly understood issue of food addiction from the perspectives of a medical researcher and dozens of survivors. What exactly is food addiction? Is it possible to draw a hard line between indulging cravings for “comfort food” and engaging in substance abuse? For people struggling with food addictions, recognizing their condition — to say nothing of gaining support and advice — remains a frustrating battle.

Built around the experiences of people suffering and recovering from food addictions, Food Junkies offers practical information grounded in medical science, while putting a face to the problems of food addiction. It is meant to be a knowledgeable and friendly guide on the road to food serenity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459728592
Publisher:	Dundurn Press
Publication date:	12/23/2014
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Vera Tarman is a medical practitioner who focuses on addictions. She is the medical director of Renascent, an addictions treatment centre. Dr. Tarman conducts workshops and speaking engagements on the science of food addiction and “comfort food” abuse. She has reached audiences across the world. She lives in Toronto.

Phil Werdell is a recovering food addict, a social work clinician, and an educator. He is the primary organizer of the Food Addiction Institute and the International Society of Food Addiction Professionals, and is Director of ACORN's Professional Training Program. Phil currently teaches Addictions Studies at Springfield College, School of Human Services, Tampa. He lives in Florida.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

This Book, Bite Size: Our Message to You 13

Chapter 1 Eating, Eating, Eating: What Is the Problem with Me? 22

Chapter 2 I Just Like to Eat! - Eating and Overeating 28

Chapter 3 Sugar Makes Me Happy! 38

Chapter 4 So, What Exactly Is Food Addiction? 45

Chapter 5 Are You a Food Addict? 61

Chapter 6 The Food Fights: Addiction or Eating Disorder? 74

Chapter 7 Lawrence: The Tragic Story of a Food Addict 85

Chapter 8 Stages of Food Addiction 95

Chapter 9 Food Addiction: The Great Saboteur 110

Chapter 10 For the Anorexic 120

Chapter 11 Hitting Bottom: I Need Help! 132

Chapter 12 What Do I Do Now? 146

Chapter 13 First Things First: Stopping the Food 159

Chapter 14 Switching Addictions 178

Chapter 15 Freedom Tastes Great! - Finding Food Serenity 191

Epilogue: A Happy Ending, One Day at a Time 205

Acknowledgements 209

Notes 213

Bibliography 232

Index 242

What People are Saying About This

author of the bestselling Drink: The Intimate Ann Dowsett Johnston

For all those who have struggled with weight loss and failed, here is a wise book that applies the addiction model to food. Tarman tackles the neurobiology of pleasure and the epidemic of obesity, and makes sense of both. With a no-nonsense approach, Tarman offers a thoughtful, groundbreaking exploration of a subject that plagues the majority of readers.

author of Cholesterol Clarity and Keto Clarity Jimmy Moore

Are you one of those people who thinks food addiction isn't real? Then you might be what Dr. Vera Tarman describes in her new book as a Food Junkie! I was addicted to sugar and other processed carbohydrates over a decade ago and found my way back to health and recovery thanks to some basic lifestyle changes that made me whole again. Dr. Tarman walks you through all the necessary steps to make that happen for you too. Addiction is real, but it's not inevitable. Grab back control of your health NOW!

From the Publisher

Are you one of those people who thinks food addiction isn't real? Then you might be what Dr. Vera Tarman describes in her new book as a Food Junkie! I was addicted to sugar and other processed carbohydrates over a decade ago and found my way back to health and recovery thanks to some basic lifestyle changes that made me whole again. Dr. Tarman walks you through all the necessary steps to make that happen for you too. Addiction is real, but it's not inevitable. Grab back control of your health NOW!"

Jimmy Moore, author of Cholesterol Clarity and Keto Clarity and creator of the Livin’ the Vida Low Carb blog: www.livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog

author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Bet Ann Dowsett Johnston

For all those who have struggled with weight loss and failed, here is a wise book that applies the addiction model to food. Tarman tackles the neurobiology of pleasure and the epidemic of obesity, and makes sense of both. With a no-nonsense approach, Tarman offers a thoughtful, groundbreaking exploration of a subject that plagues the majority of readers.