And this comes from the files of the FB group I am in called "Sugarbomb in your brain" for food addicts. It really shows the difference between someone who is having a hard time sticking to their diet and someone who is indeed a food addict. Sorry about the spacing- I am not sure why it copied this way (the author is Swedish hence the reference to Swedish books.)
"Starter manual for a sugar/flour free future
Sugar addiction is a brain disease just like alcoholism and other addictive diseases. The disease contains
relapses, it is chronic but treatable. Someone who has developed an addiction to sugar (flour, carbs), has a
different biochemistry than the ones that do not. When eating sugar or food that quickly converts into
sugar in the body (all flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, starchy vegetables/nuts), sugar-addicts experience an
extremely high dopamine boost, which gives great satisfaction, peace and happiness. Over time, the brain
requires a larger amount of sugar to achieve the same dopamine release and dopamine levels decrease and
therefore over time we feel anxiety, depression and moodswings. It turns into a vicious circle where loss of
control over certain foods starts and we develop false thoughts, feelings, erratic behavior and feel
miserable. A good read is Craing Nakkens book Addictive personality (in Swedish Beroendepersonligheten)
As soon as the drug leaves the body the sugar addict experiences discomfort and withdrawal symptoms in
the same way an alcoholic feels when quitting alcohol.
It is important to understand how the disease works and the most important book to read is
"Sockerbomben 3.0" by Bitten Jonsson. (Previous editions are not as updated regarding the new dietary
guidelines and new research.) "Sockerbomben 3.0" is only available in Swedish. In English the
recommended literature is Vera Tarman and Phil Werdells book "Food junkies". For more information go to
www.foodaddictioninstitute.org