Diet Doctor Podcast #99:
Food addiction
Can you be addicted to food? Those who determine official mental health diagnoses say no, you can’t. But that ruling stands in contrast to the experience of Dr. Vera Tarman, who has diagnosed and helped thousands of people with food addiction.
In today’s episode, Dr. Tarman and I discuss how to know if you are addicted to food and what you can do about it. We also discuss the different foods that commonly trigger addictive tendencies, how addiction differs from eating disorders, and the key role of dopamine in any addiction — including food.
While the lack of an official diagnosis of food addiction may make policy makers’ lives easier, it doesn’t help affected individuals address their potential addiction. That’s where Dr. Tarman’s clinical experience is vital for diagnosing and treating a potentially harmful and devastating addiction.
About the video
Virtual podcast recorded in May 2022, published in June 2022.
Host: Dr. Bret Scher
Producer: Hari Dewang
Table of contents
00:00 Introduction
02:58 Is “food addiction” real?
09:17 How the environment shapes the addiction
22:10 The role of intermittent fasting and low carb
28:02 Thoughts on guiding people from food addiction
34:31 Transitioning from addiction to treatment
44:53 The future and the bottom up approach
In today’s episode, Dr. Tarman and I discuss how to know if you are addicted to food and what you can do about it. We also discuss the different foods that commonly trigger addictive tendencies, how addiction differs from eating disorders, and the key role of dopamine in any addiction — including food.
While the lack of an official diagnosis of food addiction may make policy makers’ lives easier, it doesn’t help affected individuals address their potential addiction. That’s where Dr. Tarman’s clinical experience is vital for diagnosing and treating a potentially harmful and devastating addiction.
About the video
Virtual podcast recorded in May 2022, published in June 2022.
Host: Dr. Bret Scher
Producer: Hari Dewang
