The FIX Q&A with Vera Tarman about her book Food Junkies: The Truth About Food Addiction “I drink pop all the time. It’s like I’m addicted to pop now,” I remember someone telling me after I got sober almost 10 years ago. She said that I, too, would start drinking soda and … [Read more...] about From the FIX – Food Addiction: It’s Not An Eating Disorder
A Remember When …..
Last month I attended the “1st Annual Food Addiction Conference” in Worcester, Mass, which was held by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School & the Food Addiction Institute.
While this conference was primarily for health care professionals … [Read more...] about A Remember When …..
Shocking Health Prediction
Several weeks ago, the C.D.C. (U.S. Centre for disease control) predicted that by 2020, 40% of the U.S. adult Caucasian population and 50 % of the adult black population will be afflicted with type 2 diabetes. In Canada, the predictions are equally as startling. By 2020, it is estimated that 4.2 … [Read more...] about Shocking Health Prediction
They Have Been Lying To Me!
William Banting’s story (no relation to the Banting of insulin fame) came across my desk this week. The 5’5” Mr. Banting, an Englishman, weighed in at over 200 lbs. His story resonated with me, when I read about his life long struggle with loosing weight, and his willingness to try the latest … [Read more...] about They Have Been Lying To Me!
Don’t Give Up What You Want Most For What You Want Right Now
Some time ago I came across a saying that stopped me in my tracks. It read - “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want right now”.
Admittedly, I’m a bit of a collector of inspirational material whether it’s quotes and posts I see on Facebook, blogs, in daily reader books, books … [Read more...] about Don’t Give Up What You Want Most For What You Want Right Now
The beginning of the end… hitting bottom with food!
In the fall of 2009 I was at my bottom. Not the first bottom I’ve had, you understand, but one of three that changed my life in monumental ways. Maybe a better way to say this – it was one of the three bottoms that forced me to change for real. I’m not talking about small, somewhat challenging … [Read more...] about The beginning of the end… hitting bottom with food!
Dieting Kept Me Fat
As most people in the western world, I was led to believe by very reputable authorities, including doctors, nutritionists, The Canadian Department of Agriculture, the USDA, the National health Instituted, etc., etc., that if I ate less and exercised more, my weight problem would be solved. Well, … [Read more...] about Dieting Kept Me Fat
Food Labeling: One Battle Won…But The War Rages On
Recent changes in food labeling requirements in Ontario, means that consumers looking at labels will easily be able to see the total amount of added sugar under the list of ingredients.
Until now, sugar has been hidden in a variety of ways, calling it high fructose corn syrup, molasses, … [Read more...] about Food Labeling: One Battle Won…But The War Rages On
No Silver Bullet: Medications for Food Addiction and Obesity
There are still no medications available that are very effective for either food addiction or obesity. Here is a typical list of medications for people who are being treated for eating disorders or … [Read more...] about No Silver Bullet: Medications for Food Addiction and Obesity
The Bariatric Surprise
One night in 2007, sitting alone in my apartment, I came to a decision. After 22 years of marriage my wife had left me in 2001 for a younger man after a year-long affair. I was now in my 50s, over 420 pounds with a BMI over 57, hadn’t had sex in years, and had given up on dieting after numerous … [Read more...] about The Bariatric Surprise
Food Addiction IS Drug Addiction
I am the Medical Director of Renascent, which is a 21 day residential treatment centre in Toronto for people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. I have been in the field of Addiction Medicine since 1993, and have had my specialization in addiction medicine (by … [Read more...] about Food Addiction IS Drug Addiction
Fat Denial
Writing this post about fat denial was a real eye-opener. How can a person who is overweight or obese be in denial about their weight? I understand how an alcoholic can be in denial or a drug addict but a person who is overweight?? How can this be?? Isn’t it obvious? The answer is, as with most … [Read more...] about Fat Denial
