Last week, I had an amazing discussion with Abbie Attwood about whether or not food is addictive. And we decided that no, it's not.

Well, at least not physically.

But it can be emotionally.

Yes, there's a difference.

While food is not a physically addictive substance, it sure can be emotionally addictive. Meaning that there are parts of us that turn to food to protect us from uncomfortable emotions (especially shame). And when that works--and it does work--we keep going back to it again and again and again.

Said another way, when we're eating food that we enjoy (and even food that we don't), we're temporarily relieved from uncomfortable emotions. And in order to maintain that relief, we have to keep returning to food. It's a cycle that feels addictive because it is.

On this week's podcast, we're talking about how we can become emotionally addicted to food and how IFS (Internal Family Systems) can help. We talk about how food distracts and soothes, and how we have to keep going back to it over and over and over again to get that effect.

We also talk about how restriction and dieting can lead you to feel addicted to food, even though you aren't. Why? Because when we're restricting food, it's literally the forbidden fruit. (Or the forbidden cake.) And the more we restrict this food, the more we want it. And we end up feeling out-of-control and addicted to it.

If you've ever said, "food is my drug of choice," this episode will explain why that is. Take a listen!

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Unsure what leads you to–or away from–food? Let's get to know your eating parts! Check out my FREE Eating Parts Cheat Sheets to start understanding what (or should I say who?) leads you to food!

The One Inside, with Tammy Sollenberger.