Addicted to food: Women and overeating
I came upon this article in the Wall Street Journal that I found incredibly fascinating and somewhat eye-opening. The writer, Caitlin Moran, discusses binge-eating - not the occasional act of over-eating on, say, Thanksgiving - as a compulsion. And compares it to the likes of more "glamorous" addictions, such as alcoholism and drug abuse. While all addictions are compulsive, one can remain fully-functional post a food binge; whereas the alcohol/drug abuser becomes intoxicated and, likely, non-functional post a chug/snort/smoke/injection. "Overeating is the addiction of choice of 'carers'...It's a way of screwing yourself up while still remaining fully functional, because you have to. Fat people aren't indulging in the "luxury" of their addiction, making them useless, chaotic or a burden. Instead, they are slowly self-destructing in a way that doesn't inconvenience anyone. And that is why it's so often a woman's addiction of choice."
After I finished the article, I decided to read some of the 119-and-counting comments. I was really surprised to see how many folks - mostly men - were completely unsympathetic and unable to see the connection between food-binging and a serious addiction. But I'm especially curious to know what you took away from this article. What are your thoughts on food-binging being considered as serious of an abuse/addiction as alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, etc.? Do you find it legit, among the others, or is it just an excuse that those who are struggling/fat/obese make to shield their laziness and/or lack of care?
I know where I stand...
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Until we eat again,
Lindsay, The Lunch Belle