The Difference Between Food Addiction and Binge Eating Disorders

Many food addicts are mistakenly treated for Binge Eating Disorders. Both conditions look very similar on the surface but are scientifically miles apart.

What are the similarities? Both sufferers experience loss of control over food consumption and will find it increasingly difficult to lose weight and keep it off by diet and exercise.

Binge Eating Disorder clients do not have the skills to deal with difficult emotions and use unhealthy eating behaviours to cover up unhealthy unresolved feelings.

Irrespective of what they are feeling, clients with Food Addiction will binge. Whether they are happy, sad, mad, glad they don’t necessarily have to feel anything to overeat/binge. Food Addiction is primarily caused by the food itself. Usually, foods that are highly processed /palatable sugar, carbohydrate and fats. Individuals with addicted eating patterns are physically dependent on these trigger foods and need increasing amounts to reach satiation.

Food addicts will also have emotional issues which may stem from their addictive habit.

So, the solutions for BED will usually involve therapies to resolve emotional issues, trauma and implementation of coping strategies, diet plans and exercise.

With Food Addiction, it first and foremost involves the careful elimination of all trigger foods along with putting support systems in place to deal with ongoing emotional, mental and spiritual issues caused by Food Addiction.

This is not to say there are no grey areas or overlaps but clarity for each is essential.