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Qualities of Addictive Food 

Addictive foods are identified by the presence of psychotropic ingredients, by neurological responses to images, and by clinical observations of loss of control in use of these foods. Addictive foods are also identified by animal studies in which the test subjects show addictive behavior in the use of these foods. Although a thorough discussion of addictive foods is beyond the scope of this website, a short description of these foods helps orient website visitors to the discussion.

The addictive properties of sugar are perhaps the most studied in the field of addictive foods. [6] Rats have been shown to choose sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and saccharine over cocaine and heroin. Rats have demonstrated a withdrawal syndrome similar to that associated with morphine. [7]. Sugar activates the pathway in the brain associated with dopamine, which is a pleasure/reward neurotransmitter. [8] Due to these addictive associations, food addiction recovery groups often recommend abstinence from sugar and sweeteners. [8]

Gluten and flour made from gluten grains both contain gluteomorphin that appears to activate the opiate pathways. [9] The opiate pathways in the brain are the routes taken by neurotransmitters that modulate incoming pain information as well as pain relief. Due to the addictive nature of gluteomorphin, food addiction recovery groups often recommend eliminating wheat and flour from one's diet. [8] Salt has been observed to be used by morphine addicts in withdrawal, presumably as a replacement for morphine. [10] Processed fats appear to activate the opiate pathways in the brain as well. [11] Dairy contains casomorphin, which has been shown to create a similar opiate, numbing effect in rats. [12] Caffeine has intoxication and withdrawal diagnoses in the DSM-V. [3] These would all be classified as addictive or "trigger foods". 

The Overeaters Anonymous pamphlet, Dignity of Choice, defines trigger foods in this way:

  "Trigger" or "binge" foods are foods that we eat in large quantities or to the exclusion of other foods; foods that we hoard or hide from others; foods that we eat secretly; foods that we turn to in times of celebration, sorrow, or boredom; or food that are high in calories and low in nutritional value. In addition, we look to see whether there are any common ingredients among those foods - like sugar or fat - that might exist in other foods we haven't listed. 

  Each of us may have problems with different foods or ingredients. If a food has been a binge food in the past, or if it contains ingredients that have been binge foods for us, we remove it from our plan.... Extra servings of a non-trigger food might create cravings. If we are unsure whether or not a food causes problems for us, we leave it out at first. Later, with abstinence, the correct answer becomes clear." [13]

Thus we see that there are similarities between the foods avoided in 12 Step eating recovery groups and those found to have addictive properties in the research literature. Abstinence from these foods has been seen to reduce cravings and help establish control over eating.