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A summary of the Food Addiction article written by Jane Alexander as told by Dr Jen Unwin in the Daily Mail September 2024.

Jane Alexander’s article, as told by clinical psychologist Dr. Jen Unwin in the Daily Mail, highlights the under recognised issue of food addiction, a condition often trivialised or misunderstood as mere greed or lack of willpower. Many people joke about being “addicted” to chocolate or crisps, but the reality is that compulsive eating can have severe consequences, both short and long term. In the short term, consuming unhealthy foods frequently can lead to feelings of guilt, sluggishness, anxiety, low mood and brain fog. Over time, it can contribute to serious health conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver and heart disease.

Dr. Unwin explains that experts now recognise food addiction as a legitimate condition affecting up to 10% of UK adults. It is not about greed but rather a compulsive relationship with food that can be traced back to early childhood, often shaped by family habits. The human brain has not evolved to handle the constant availability of ultra processed, high carb foods that fill modern supermarkets. Carbohydrates, particularly sugars, have a powerful effect on brain chemistry, hijacking the neural circuits related to mood, reward and motivation. When food is engineered to be hyper palatable and addictive, resisting it becomes incredibly difficult.

Common ‘addictive’ foods such as pizza, crisps, chocolate and cake are typically high in sugar and artificial sweeteners, which stimulate the brain’s reward centres, making people crave them more. Dr. Unwin points out that sugar triggers the primitive parts of the brain, overriding logical decision making. This explains why many find themselves reaching for unhealthy foods, even when they know it’s harmful.

Food addiction often starts young. Dr. Unwin uses the example of viral videos where babies are given ice cream for the first time, their delighted expressions reflecting the addictive potential of sugary foods. These moments may mark the beginning of a life long struggle with food for those genetically predisposed to addiction. Dr. Unwin herself experienced this trajectory. Growing up with a mother who struggled with sugar addiction and chronic dieting, she developed an unhealthy relationship with food from an early age, sneaking treats and binge eating. This cycle of overeating and dieting persisted into adulthood, even after she became a clinical psychologist.

Her turning point came when she discovered the benefits of a low carb, high protein diet. By cutting out sugar and flour, she stabilised her blood sugar levels, felt fuller for longer, and experienced clearer thinking and increased energy. However, it wasn’t until she learned from Swedish food addiction expert Bitten Jonsson that she fully recognised her condition as a form of addiction.

Dr. Unwin stresses that food addiction is not taken seriously enough by health services, despite its significant cost to the NHS. Many sufferers are left to cope alone, accused of lacking willpower. She advocates for the recognition of food addiction as a medical condition, so those affected can receive appropriate support. Ultimately, Dr. Unwin believes recovery is possible, and with the right strategies, food addicts can reclaim their health and wellbeing.