Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How to Treat Food Addiction from a Nutritional Perspective: Consideration of Diet and Abstinence

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Food Addiction, Obesity, and Disorders of Overeating

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss nutritional interventions for food addiction (FA). As of yet, there is no clear established diet or food plan for FA treatment. Many approaches will likely prove useful, with further study. One potential approach is an abstinence-based one, essentially promoting strict restriction from certain types of foods that are highly addictive (especially those including high sugar, fat, and salt or highly refined ingredients). An alternate approach would be to not abstain from any food in particular, but rather to pay more attention to the quantity of foods consumed. Still others have recommended taking a more individualized approach, paying attention to particular trigger foods for each person. Increasing consumption of more nutritional and filling foods can also be emphasized. Other considerations to keep in mind include underlying comorbidities including eating disorders (EDs) and other psychiatric illnesses including addiction to other substances. In this chapter we explore the evidence to support the various approaches, including effects on cravings and maintenance of recovery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Gordon EL, Ariel-Donges AH, Bauman V, Merlo LJ. What is the evidence for “food addiction?” A systematic review. Nutrients. 2018;10(4):477.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Wiss D, Brewerton T. Separating the signal from the noise: how psychiatric diagnoses can help discern food addiction from dietary restraint. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):2937.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Treasure J, Leslie M, Chami R, Fernandez-Aranda F. Are trans diagnostic models of eating disorders fit for purpose? A consideration of the evidence for food addiction. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2018;26(2):83–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Gearhardt AN, Corbin WR, Brownell KD. Preliminary validation of the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Appetite. 2009;52(2):430–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gearhardt AN, Corbin WR, Brownell KD. Development of the Yale Food Addiction Scale Version 2.0. Psychol Addict Behav. 2016;30(1):113–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sclafani A. Gut-brain nutrient signaling. Appetition vs. satiation. Appetite. 2013;71:454–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Onaolapo AY, Onaolapo OJ. Food additives, food and the concept of “food addiction”: is stimulation of the brain reward circuit by food sufficient to trigger addiction? Pathophysiology. 2018;25(4):263–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Rodda SN, Booth N, Brittain M, McKean J, Thornley S. I was truly addicted to sugar: a consumer-focused classification system of behaviour change strategies for sugar reduction. Appetite. 2020;144:104456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lustig RH, Schmidt LA, Brindis CD. Public health: the toxic truth about sugar. Nature. 2012;482(7383):27–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Meule A. A critical examination of the practical implications derived from the food addiction concept. Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(1):11–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Ifland J, Preuss HG, Marcus MT, Rourke KM, Taylor W, Theresa Wright H. Clearing the confusion around processed food addiction. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(3):240–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ifland JR, Preuss HG, Marcus MT, Rourke KM, Taylor WC, Burau K, et al. Refined food addiction: a classic substance use disorder. Med Hypotheses. 2009;72(5):518–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Schulte EM, Avena NM, Gearhardt AN. Which foods may be addictive? The roles of processing, fat content, and glycemic load. PLoS One. 2015;10(2):e0117959.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Markus CR, Rogers PJ, Brouns F, Schepers R. Eating dependence and weight gain; no human evidence for a “sugar-addiction” model of overweight. Appetite. 2017;114:64–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fazzino TL, Rohde K, Sullivan DK. Hyper-palatable foods: development of a quantitative definition and application to the US food system database. Obesity. 2019;27(11):1761–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Guise S. Mini habits for weight loss: stop dieting. Form new habits. Change your lifestyle without suffering. Selective Entertainment LLC; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  17. San-Cristobal R, Navas-Carretero S, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Ordovas JM, Martinez JA. Contribution of macronutrients to obesity: implications for precision nutrition. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2020;16(6):305–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Carmen M, Safer DL, Saslow LR, Kalayjian T, Mason AE, Westman EC, et al. Treating binge eating and food addiction symptoms with low-carbohydrate Ketogenic diets: a case series. J Eat Disord. 2020;8:2.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Sievenpiper JL. Low-carbohydrate diets and cardiometabolic health: the importance of carbohydrate quality over quantity. Nutr Rev. 2020;78(Suppl 1):69–77.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Sethi Dalai S, Sinha A, Gearhardt AN. Low carbohydrate ketogenic therapy as a metabolic treatment for binge eating and ultraprocessed food addiction. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2020;27(5):275–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Vidmar AP, Pretlow R, Borzutzky C, Wee CP, Fox DS, Fink C, et al. An addiction model-based mobile health weight loss intervention in adolescents with obesity. Pediatr Obes. 2019;14(2):e12464.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Vidmar AP, Salvy SJ, Pretlow R, Mittelman SD, Wee CP, Fink C, et al. An addiction-based mobile health weight loss intervention: protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2019;78:11–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Sarkar S, Kochhar KP, Khan NA. Fat addiction: psychological and physiological trajectory. Nutrients. 2019;11(11):2785.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Di Rosa C, Lattanzi G, Taylor SF, Manfrini S, Khazrai YM. Very low calorie ketogenic diets in overweight and obesity treatment: effects on anthropometric parameters, body composition, satiety, lipid profile and microbiota. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2020;14(6):491–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rodriguez-Martin BC, Gallego-Arjiz B. Overeaters anonymous: a mutual-help fellowship for food addiction recovery. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1491.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Russell-Mayhew S, von Ranson KM, Masson PC. How does overeaters anonymous help its members? A qualitative analysis. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2010;18(1):33–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Bryant EJ, Rehman J, Pepper LB, Walters ER. Obesity and eating disturbance: the role of TFEQ restraint and disinhibition. Curr Obes Rep. 2019;8(4):363–72.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Larsen TM, Dalskov SM, van Baak M, Jebb SA, Papadaki A, Pfeiffer AF, et al. Diets with high or low protein content and glycemic index for weight-loss maintenance. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(22):2102–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Schoeller DA, Buchholz AC. Energetics of obesity and weight control: does diet composition matter? J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105(5 Suppl 1):S24–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Luhovyy BL, Akhavan T, Anderson GH. Whey proteins in the regulation of food intake and satiety. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007;26(6):704S–12S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Johnson J, Vickers Z. Factors influencing sensory-specific satiety. Appetite. 1992;19(1):15–31.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sivertsen HK, Ueland O, Westad F. Development of satiating and palatable high-protein meat products by using experimental design in food technology. Food Nutr Res. 2010;54:5114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Laliberte M, Mccabe RE, Taylor V. The cognitive behavioral workbook for weight management. Raincoast Books; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Wu WC, Inui A, Chen CY. Weight loss induced by whole grain-rich diet is through a gut microbiota-independent mechanism. World J Diabetes. 2020;11(2):26–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Jeynes KD, Gibson EL. The importance of nutrition in aiding recovery from substance use disorders: a review. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017;179:229–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Tobore TO. Towards a comprehensive theory of obesity and a healthy diet: the causal role of oxidative stress in food addiction and obesity. Behav Brain Res. 2020;384:112560.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Gibson AS, Keefe KA, Furlong TM. Accelerated habitual learning resulting from L-dopa exposure in rats is prevented by N-acetylcysteine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2020;198:173033.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Narmaki E, Borazjani M, Ataie-Jafari A, Hariri N, Doost AH, Qorbani M, et al. The combined effects of probiotics and restricted calorie diet on the anthropometric indices, eating behavior, and hormone levels of obese women with food addiction: a randomized clinical trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2020:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Wilcox CE. Binge eating disorder. American Physician Institute; 2019. Available from: CMEtoGo.com.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sinha R. Role of addiction and stress neurobiology on food intake and obesity. Biol Psychol. 2018;131:5–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Aitken TJ, Greenfield VY, Wassum KM. Nucleus accumbens core dopamine signaling tracks the need-based motivational value of food-paired cues. J Neurochem. 2016;136(5):1026–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Carr KD. Chronic food restriction: enhancing effects on drug reward and striatal cell signaling. Physiol Behav. 2007;91(5):459–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fowler JS, Tomasi D, Telang F. Addiction: beyond dopamine reward circuitry. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(37):15037–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Grigolon RB, Brietzke E, Trevizol AP, McIntyre RS, Mansur RB. Caloric restriction, resting metabolic rate and cognitive performance in non-obese adults: a post-hoc analysis from CALERIE study. J Psychiatr Res. 2020;128:16–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Casazza K, Brown A, Astrup A, Bertz F, Baum C, Brown MB, et al. Weighing the evidence of common beliefs in obesity research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2015;55(14):2014–53.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. de Cabo R, Mattson MP. Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(26):2541–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Addolorato G, Leggio L, Abenavoli L, Gasbarrini G. Neurobiochemical and clinical aspects of craving in alcohol addiction: a review. Addict Behav. 2005;30(6):1209–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Anton RF. What is craving? Models and implications for treatment. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(3):165–73.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Heinz A, Lober S, Georgi A, Wrase J, Hermann D, Rey ER, et al. Reward craving and withdrawal relief craving: assessment of different motivational pathways to alcohol intake. Alcohol Alcohol. 2003;38(1):35–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Richard A, Meule A, Friese M, Blechert J. Effects of chocolate deprivation on implicit and explicit evaluation of chocolate in high and low trait chocolate cravers. Front Psychol. 2017;8:1591.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Meule A. The psychology of food cravings: the role of food deprivation. Curr Nutr Rep. 2020;9(3):251–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Kahathuduwa CN, Binks M, Martin CK, Dawson JA. Extended calorie restriction suppresses overall and specific food cravings: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2017;18(10):1122–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Oustric P, Gibbons C, Beaulieu K, Blundell J, Finlayson G. Changes in food reward during weight management interventions – a systematic review. Obes Rev. 2018;19(12):1642–58.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Martin CK, Rosenbaum D, Han H, Geiselman PJ, Wyatt HR, Hill JO, et al. Change in food cravings, food preferences, and appetite during a low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet. Obesity. 2011;19(10):1963–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Guzzardi MA, Garelli S, Agostini A, Filidei E, Fanelli F, Giorgetti A, et al. Food addiction distinguishes an overweight phenotype that can be reversed by low calorie diet. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2018;26(6):657–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Gordon EL, Lent MR, Merlo LJ. The effect of food composition and behavior on neurobiological response to food: a review of recent research. Curr Nutr Rep. 2020;9(2):75–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Murdaugh DL, Cox JE, Cook EW 3rd, Weller RE. fMRI reactivity to high-calorie food pictures predicts short- and long-term outcome in a weight-loss program. Neuroimage. 2012;59(3):2709–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Schlogl H, Horstmann A, Villringer A, Stumvoll M. Functional neuroimaging in obesity and the potential for development of novel treatments. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016;4(8):695–705.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Wilcox CE, Dekonenko CJ, Mayer AR, Bogenschutz MP, Turner JA. Cognitive control in alcohol use disorder: deficits and clinical relevance. Rev Neurosci. 2014;25:1–24.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. May J, Andrade J, Kavanagh DJ, Feeney GF, Gullo MJ, Statham DJ, et al. The craving experience questionnaire: a brief, theory-based measure of consummatory desire and craving. Addiction. 2014;109(5):728–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Appelhans BM, French SA, Pagoto SL, Sherwood NE. Managing temptation in obesity treatment: a neurobehavioral model of intervention strategies. Appetite. 2016;96:268–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Clasen MM, Riley AL, Davidson TL. Hippocampal-dependent inhibitory learning and memory processes in the control of eating and drug taking. Curr Pharm Des. 2020;26(20):2334–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Wiss DA, Avena N, Rada P. Sugar addiction: from evolution to revolution. Front Psych. 2018;9:545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Marlatt GA. The controlled-drinking controversy. A commentary. Am Psychol. 1983;38(10):1097–110.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Wilson GT. Eating disorders, obesity and addiction. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2010;18(5):341–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Adams RC, Sedgmond J, Maizey L, Chambers CD, Lawrence NS. Food addiction: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of overeating. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2086.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Wilson GT, Fairburn CC, Agras WS, Walsh BT, Kraemer H. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa: time course and mechanisms of change. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2002;70(2):267–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Manasse SM, Espel HM, Schumacher LM, Kerrigan SG, Zhang F, Forman EM, et al. Does impulsivity predict outcome in treatment for binge eating disorder? A multimodal investigation. Appetite. 2016;105:172–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  69. Bergh C, Callmar M, Danemar S, Holcke M, Isberg S, Leon M, et al. Effective treatment of eating disorders: results at multiple sites. Behav Neurosci. 2013;127(6):878–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Hilker I, Sanchez I, Steward T, Jimenez-Murcia S, Granero R, Gearhardt AN, et al. Food addiction in bulimia nervosa: clinical correlates and association with response to a brief psychoeducational intervention. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2016;24(6):482–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Meule A, von Rezori V, Blechert J. Food addiction and bulimia nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2014;22(5):331–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Blanco-Gandia MC, Minarro J, Rodriguez-Arias M. Common neural mechanisms of palatable food intake and drug abuse: knowledge obtained with animal models. Curr Pharm Des. 2020;26(20):2372–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Freeland-Graves JH, Nitzke S, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics: total diet approach to healthy eating. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113(2):307–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Jebeile H, Gow ML, Baur LA, Garnett SP, Paxton SJ, Lister NB. Treatment of obesity, with a dietary component, and eating disorder risk in children and adolescents: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2019;20(9):1287–98.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  75. Linardon J. The relationship between dietary restraint and binge eating: examining eating-related self-efficacy as a moderator. Appetite. 2018;127:126–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Claire E. Wilcox

Authors
  1. Claire E. Wilcox
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Wilcox, C.E. (2021). How to Treat Food Addiction from a Nutritional Perspective: Consideration of Diet and Abstinence. In: Food Addiction, Obesity, and Disorders of Overeating. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83078-6_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83078-6_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-83077-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-83078-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation