Overcoming Food Addiction & Emotional Eating: Understanding the Yale Food Addiction Scale and Recovery
What is food addiction?
Food addiction is no different from other types of addiction, because research has shown that while eating some highly palatable foods, addicted individuals show the same physiological changes in the reward center of their brain that lights up with heroin or cocaine addicts. Food addicts also exhibit the same signs and symptoms of addiction, which include extreme craving and loss of control, tolerance, over-eating, as well as relapses, etc. The typical foods of addiction usually include highly palatable foods like sugary foods & refined carbs, very oily and cheesy foods, very salty foods, etc.
Understanding the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS)
The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) is a scientifically verified tool employed to determine and evaluate food addiction. It is based on the standards used for substance use disorders and helps pinpoint behaviors like:
Loss of control: Eating more than considered or continuing to eat even when your stomach is full.
Tolerance: Requiring more of a particular food to feel satisfied.
Negative consequences: Eating even with health problems or emotional harm.
Time spent: Excessive time spent thinking about, obtaining, or eating food.
If you doubt you may be struggling with food addiction, the YFAS is a worthwhile way to evaluate your symptoms. At Trusty Health, we can guide you through this process and provide the essential tools for your recovery.
Our Food Addiction Recovery Program
Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Recovery Plan
We start by guiding you to do a detailed assessment to understand your unique challenges and needs. By making use of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and other tools, we help you evaluate the seriousness of any possible food addiction and help you make the resolution to adopt some time-tested recovery plans that address your particular conditions.
Mindful Eating Strategies
Mindful eating is a fundamental component of our recovery program. We help you to develop a healthier relationship with food by teaching you how to eat carefully:
- Focusing on the present moment
- Listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues
- Avoiding distractions
Through careful eating, you can break the cycle of compulsive overeating and learn to enjoy food in moderation.
Therapeutic Support and Counseling
Food addiction originates from emotional or psychological triggers. That’s why our nutritional detox program takes a comprehensive approach to address the issue of food addiction and emotional eating from a holistic standpoint. We delve into the topic of complex trauma and encourage you to address the root causes of your addiction. By teaching you how to find negative thought patterns and behaviors, we enable you to make lasting changes.
Building a Supportive Community
Recovery from food addiction is easier when you have a powerful support network. We provide both one-on-one counseling and group therapy sessions where you can connect with others who understand your journey. These support groups provide a safe and non-judgmental environment to share experiences, provide encouragement, and celebrate successes.
Healthy Lifestyle and Habit Formation
Long-term recovery from food addiction requires worthwhile lifestyle changes. Our program not only focuses on helping you break free from addiction but also teaches you how to incorporate healthy habits that support your well-being. We help you by including:
- Balanced meals
- Physical activity
- Stress management techniques
Ongoing Support
Food addiction recovery doesn’t end after completing the program. After completing any of our nutritional programs, you will continue to have access to the course materials and online community for 6 months to a year, depending on whether you purchase the live sessions or the do it yourself course. Either way, you can also participate in our Wednesday meditation and breathwork sessions whenever available. Our objective is to help you maintain your progress and stay away from setbacks.
Why Choose TrustyHealth for Food Addiction Recovery?
We are committed to providing considerate and professional care customized to each individual’s unique recovery journey.
Our all-inclusive approach not only gets to grips with the addiction itself but also considers the emotional, physiological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to food addiction guaranteeing that you obtain complete care that supports your overall well-being and long-term recovery.