Food Addiction: Hiding Food is a Huge Indicator

One of the biggest symptoms of food addiction is hiding food. Just as some alcoholics and drug addicts will hide their drug of choice, food addicts will often resort to hiding food.

I'll never forget the day that I was cleaning out my closet a few years ago. I found some of my old pocketbooks still in dire need of being cleaned out. Inside of each one, I found an empty Pringles potato chip canister. A flood of memories ensued which took me back to the days when I was binge eating. At the time, I was living to eat rather than eating to live. Pringles potato chips were my drug of choice for several reasons. First of all, the chips were not in a bag that makes lots of noise. (It's hard to sneak and eat when you are making a lot of noise). Secondly, the canister that the chips come in will tuck very nicely inside of my purse, meaning I could carry them with me wherever I go. When I found the old Pringle canisters, that old familiar shame washed over me...the same shame I would always feel after a binge.

Hiding food is a way for a food addict to live a secret life. While the rest of the world looks at them believing they are eating normally, the addict knows differently. The addict knows about the late night binges when the family is sleeping. The addict knows about the frequent trips to first one fast foot restaurant...and then another immediately afterwards. The addict knows about the hidden candy bars, the late night refrigerator raids.

The food addict knows about the guilt and shame that follows a binge...and how that very guilt and shame can lead to yet another binge. It is a revolving cycle of binging...shame....guilt....binging.

Food addiction is the result of trying to fill an emptiness inside. During a binge, the food addict may feel euphoric. They eat to push down unpleasant feelings that may be causing them particular strife. Rather than deal with the feelings in a healthy way, they stuff the feelings down with food...usually comfort food of some kind.

If you find yourself hiding food, binging, and eating in secret, chances are you are a food addict...especially if you feel the shame and guilt that goes along with it. It is difficult to treat food addiction all on your own. There are many resources to help you. Joining a support group can be a wonderful way to connect with others who are going through a similar problem. Overeater's Anonymous has helped many people overcome their addiction and go on to live healthy and happy lives.

The first step comes in admitting you have a problem. That's what I did several years ago. I joined a support group at my local YMCA, and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Remember that you deserve to be happy and healthy. You are worth it.