Food Addiction/A Plan of Eating
never thought I'd be normal body weight
“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial… (l Corinthians 10:23, New International Version)
Go to www.foodaddictioninstitute.org for amazing fact-finding up-to-date research on food addiction.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Freedom from compulsive and/or addictive eating is the goal. A healthy body is an obvious manifestation of success. However, many find other surprising benefits when they surrender to the disease of food addiction. They recognize a peace that passes all understanding, and in time they find happiness and joy in trusting God each new day. It is a sweet surrender.
"When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…" (Galatians 5:22-23, The Living Bible)
The recovery solution for compulsive and/or addictive eating is a controversial subject. There are many opinions and many sources of information. My personal experience taught me to investigate the possibilities. I asked God to help me discern the truth for me as a food addict. I had already tried different approaches and different food plans in my search for relief. Eventually, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Sweet Surrender is my testimony--my experience, strength and hope--my conclusion thus far. I humbly admit that I only know what I think I know. I can only share what God has revealed to me in my years of abstinence, and I admit that there are different strokes for different folks.
I strongly encourage everyone to consider a healthy* plan of eating. With the help of God, it is best to consult with a physician, dietitian or nutritionist for the best solution to an individual’s dietary needs. Abstinence (recovery from overeating and food obsession) is having a plan of eating and doing that plan, whatever it is.
The 12-steps from the Christian perspective and the outreach ministry of Full of Faith go beyond the physical—beyond the food plan. Emotional and spiritual healing comes with God’s Word realized and activated. We can share our love and knowledge of Jesus and let go of the differences in our individual committed food plans. The Food Addiction Institute (FAI) has produced current scientific evidence that many (if not most) people who struggled with food cravings, found freedom when they eliminated sugar, flour, natural and artificial sweeteners, and the option to eat extra food from their plans of eating.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (l Corinthians 10:31, New International Version)
*I believe that a healthy plan of eating should include the basics for good nutrition—a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates (grains, vegetables, fruits) and fats. If a newcomer is not nutritionally aware, a medical professional might feel more comfortable approving the Step Easy Food Plan on this site (a more traditional approach to eliminating sugar, flour and natural and artificial sweeteners).
Go to www.foodaddictioninstitute.org for amazing fact-finding up-to-date research on food addiction.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Freedom from compulsive and/or addictive eating is the goal. A healthy body is an obvious manifestation of success. However, many find other surprising benefits when they surrender to the disease of food addiction. They recognize a peace that passes all understanding, and in time they find happiness and joy in trusting God each new day. It is a sweet surrender.
"When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…" (Galatians 5:22-23, The Living Bible)
The recovery solution for compulsive and/or addictive eating is a controversial subject. There are many opinions and many sources of information. My personal experience taught me to investigate the possibilities. I asked God to help me discern the truth for me as a food addict. I had already tried different approaches and different food plans in my search for relief. Eventually, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Sweet Surrender is my testimony--my experience, strength and hope--my conclusion thus far. I humbly admit that I only know what I think I know. I can only share what God has revealed to me in my years of abstinence, and I admit that there are different strokes for different folks.
I strongly encourage everyone to consider a healthy* plan of eating. With the help of God, it is best to consult with a physician, dietitian or nutritionist for the best solution to an individual’s dietary needs. Abstinence (recovery from overeating and food obsession) is having a plan of eating and doing that plan, whatever it is.
The 12-steps from the Christian perspective and the outreach ministry of Full of Faith go beyond the physical—beyond the food plan. Emotional and spiritual healing comes with God’s Word realized and activated. We can share our love and knowledge of Jesus and let go of the differences in our individual committed food plans. The Food Addiction Institute (FAI) has produced current scientific evidence that many (if not most) people who struggled with food cravings, found freedom when they eliminated sugar, flour, natural and artificial sweeteners, and the option to eat extra food from their plans of eating.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (l Corinthians 10:31, New International Version)
*I believe that a healthy plan of eating should include the basics for good nutrition—a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates (grains, vegetables, fruits) and fats. If a newcomer is not nutritionally aware, a medical professional might feel more comfortable approving the Step Easy Food Plan on this site (a more traditional approach to eliminating sugar, flour and natural and artificial sweeteners).
Are you like me?
Hi, My name is Pam from Auburn, MA. I am the founder and director of Full of Faith, Christian 12-Step Recovery from Food Addiction, and I am the author of Sweet Surrender, which is a testimony of my from rags-to-riches story.
I am here in hopes of helping, educating and encouraging people who have a tendency to overeat (or under eat or have a warped body image) despite intelligent reasoning and a determined will to follow a healthy way of eating. Eating disorders come in many forms.
Maybe you are like me. I had more than a TENDENCY to overeat! In the last days of my overeating career, I could NOT stop overeating. I really could NOT, no matter how much I tried. No diet, or prayer or mindset kept me away from overeating. It was a constant merry-go-round. Try and fail...try and fail...try something new and fail...try something else and fail again. It was devastating. Day after day, I cried, "Lord, what is wrong with me?"
Ever feel that way?
Years before, I had attended AA with my husband. I had ignored God's leading that my problem was similar to his, only sugar was my alcohol. Actually, I tried giving up sugar, like my husband was giving up alcohol, but didn't even make it to lunch the first day. I decided that it was a "stupid" idea...and went right back to my search.
BUT in time, as God would have it, when I got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I saw an ad in the newspaper about a 12-step group for overeaters. I called for information and was sent some questions to answer. (These questions and my initial responses are in my book, Sweet Surrender.)
1) Do you eat when you're not hungry?
2) Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
3) Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
4) Do you give too much time and thought to food?
5) Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
6) Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
7) Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
8) Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
9) Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goals?
10) Do you resent others telling you to "use a little willpower" to stop overeating?
11) Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet "on your own" whenever you wish?
12) Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
13) Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
14) Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food related condition?
15) Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?
Yikes, I just read some of my thoughts back then...and remembered..........yes, I remembered.
Question 8 says “Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?” This was my response, written over 30 years ago.
"Dad refers to me as "happy go lucky." The truth is I am not happy. Most assuredly my weight is affecting my life. I should not feel so distraught. I have a nice home, a husband who loves and supports the family and two wonderful children whom I adore.
Carl and I have had our difficulties, but we are okay. I know it is God's will for me to be a responsible, loving parent and a caring wife. I am successful most of the time; however, I could be kind and loving one minute, when I am in control of my food and having a "good" day on my diet, and then on a "bad" day, I am like another person--some eccentric lunatic. My poor husband and my children are ignored or worse, I get angry. I start banging cabinet doors and complaining about everything and everybody.
By the grace of God, I have the ability to save most of my overeating until late evenings. Then I can refrain from hurting the people I love. I am alone with my food. The only victim for my abusive thoughts and action is myself. Outside the home when I am obliged to attend a social affair or a sporting event, I sit somewhere hoping to remain unnoticed. I am ashamed of my size and my lack of grace. I waddle when I walk. I fear people judging me, as I am judging them. Fat is ugly. Thin is beautiful. I would prefer staying home where I am safe and secure in my private little world."
Forgive me, friends, for saying, "Fat is ugly." It was what I thought at the time. I couldn't see beyond my low self-esteem.
Food addiction is a three-fold disease--physical, emotional, spiritual. Food addiction is a disease like alcoholism. Alcoholics abstain from alcohol. Food addicts abstain from sugar, flour, natural and artificial sweetener and extra food one day at a time.
I remember hearing that for the first time. It warped my mind..."No sugar or flour, Lord?" It rattled my brain. I could not fathom the idea of living without my "drugs" of choice indefinitely....for the rest of my life.... BUT the knowledge that food addiction is a chemical dependency held great hope for me. And I heard "Can you do this just for today?"
I started reading the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and saw what the doctors said about alcoholism. "The only answer is abstinence.” That was pretty cut-and-dry. Just like an alcoholic cannot drink a drop of alcohol, a food addict cannot eat even a bite, lick or or taste of sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food.
If you have the tendency to overeat or binge, even now and then, you could be like me, only in the earlier stages of food addiction.
Here's the good news. You can get free! It is possible.
Abstinence is the answer. Most people think of abstinence as refraining from sex, but for a food addict, abstinence refers to following a food plan that eliminates all sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food. It sounds extreme, but today I love how I eat. I love how I live.
You can find a food plan on this website. It's an easy-to-follow, nutritionally-sound food plan that gives clear boundaries for detox and a way of eating and living that works.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is more!
If you are like me, eating a food plan that is void of sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food is the first step, but there is more--so much more. Food addiction is a physical, emotional and spiritual malady. I had to learn, absorb, realize that food is not love. Sounds funny, but I went to food to comfort me and it accepted me no matter what. I had to learn that food is fuel for my body, gas for the tank. God's love is real. He wants my full attention. The Bible holds the keys to a life that is rich and rewarding.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."
In order to retrain my thinking and to learn a better way of life, I needed people who had gone before me, recovered people who were living free. The Full of Faith ministry was created to build a bridge between the secular 12-step rooms and the church. People in the 12-step rooms are thirsty for Jesus; Christians need more information about food addiction. We teach biblical truths using the 12-step approach for transformation and restoration. Lives are changed. Click on Recovery Tools to begin this journey.
Jesus is the cornerstone of the ministry. We do what we do to glorify Him!
I am here in hopes of helping, educating and encouraging people who have a tendency to overeat (or under eat or have a warped body image) despite intelligent reasoning and a determined will to follow a healthy way of eating. Eating disorders come in many forms.
Maybe you are like me. I had more than a TENDENCY to overeat! In the last days of my overeating career, I could NOT stop overeating. I really could NOT, no matter how much I tried. No diet, or prayer or mindset kept me away from overeating. It was a constant merry-go-round. Try and fail...try and fail...try something new and fail...try something else and fail again. It was devastating. Day after day, I cried, "Lord, what is wrong with me?"
Ever feel that way?
Years before, I had attended AA with my husband. I had ignored God's leading that my problem was similar to his, only sugar was my alcohol. Actually, I tried giving up sugar, like my husband was giving up alcohol, but didn't even make it to lunch the first day. I decided that it was a "stupid" idea...and went right back to my search.
BUT in time, as God would have it, when I got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I saw an ad in the newspaper about a 12-step group for overeaters. I called for information and was sent some questions to answer. (These questions and my initial responses are in my book, Sweet Surrender.)
1) Do you eat when you're not hungry?
2) Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
3) Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
4) Do you give too much time and thought to food?
5) Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
6) Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
7) Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
8) Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
9) Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goals?
10) Do you resent others telling you to "use a little willpower" to stop overeating?
11) Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet "on your own" whenever you wish?
12) Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
13) Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
14) Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food related condition?
15) Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?
Yikes, I just read some of my thoughts back then...and remembered..........yes, I remembered.
Question 8 says “Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?” This was my response, written over 30 years ago.
"Dad refers to me as "happy go lucky." The truth is I am not happy. Most assuredly my weight is affecting my life. I should not feel so distraught. I have a nice home, a husband who loves and supports the family and two wonderful children whom I adore.
Carl and I have had our difficulties, but we are okay. I know it is God's will for me to be a responsible, loving parent and a caring wife. I am successful most of the time; however, I could be kind and loving one minute, when I am in control of my food and having a "good" day on my diet, and then on a "bad" day, I am like another person--some eccentric lunatic. My poor husband and my children are ignored or worse, I get angry. I start banging cabinet doors and complaining about everything and everybody.
By the grace of God, I have the ability to save most of my overeating until late evenings. Then I can refrain from hurting the people I love. I am alone with my food. The only victim for my abusive thoughts and action is myself. Outside the home when I am obliged to attend a social affair or a sporting event, I sit somewhere hoping to remain unnoticed. I am ashamed of my size and my lack of grace. I waddle when I walk. I fear people judging me, as I am judging them. Fat is ugly. Thin is beautiful. I would prefer staying home where I am safe and secure in my private little world."
Forgive me, friends, for saying, "Fat is ugly." It was what I thought at the time. I couldn't see beyond my low self-esteem.
Food addiction is a three-fold disease--physical, emotional, spiritual. Food addiction is a disease like alcoholism. Alcoholics abstain from alcohol. Food addicts abstain from sugar, flour, natural and artificial sweetener and extra food one day at a time.
I remember hearing that for the first time. It warped my mind..."No sugar or flour, Lord?" It rattled my brain. I could not fathom the idea of living without my "drugs" of choice indefinitely....for the rest of my life.... BUT the knowledge that food addiction is a chemical dependency held great hope for me. And I heard "Can you do this just for today?"
I started reading the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, and saw what the doctors said about alcoholism. "The only answer is abstinence.” That was pretty cut-and-dry. Just like an alcoholic cannot drink a drop of alcohol, a food addict cannot eat even a bite, lick or or taste of sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food.
If you have the tendency to overeat or binge, even now and then, you could be like me, only in the earlier stages of food addiction.
Here's the good news. You can get free! It is possible.
Abstinence is the answer. Most people think of abstinence as refraining from sex, but for a food addict, abstinence refers to following a food plan that eliminates all sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food. It sounds extreme, but today I love how I eat. I love how I live.
You can find a food plan on this website. It's an easy-to-follow, nutritionally-sound food plan that gives clear boundaries for detox and a way of eating and living that works.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is more!
If you are like me, eating a food plan that is void of sugar, flour, sweeteners, extra food is the first step, but there is more--so much more. Food addiction is a physical, emotional and spiritual malady. I had to learn, absorb, realize that food is not love. Sounds funny, but I went to food to comfort me and it accepted me no matter what. I had to learn that food is fuel for my body, gas for the tank. God's love is real. He wants my full attention. The Bible holds the keys to a life that is rich and rewarding.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."
In order to retrain my thinking and to learn a better way of life, I needed people who had gone before me, recovered people who were living free. The Full of Faith ministry was created to build a bridge between the secular 12-step rooms and the church. People in the 12-step rooms are thirsty for Jesus; Christians need more information about food addiction. We teach biblical truths using the 12-step approach for transformation and restoration. Lives are changed. Click on Recovery Tools to begin this journey.
Jesus is the cornerstone of the ministry. We do what we do to glorify Him!
