You can recognize a carbohydrate addiction in yourself if food such as biscuits, ice cream, chips, fries, bread, fruit, in short, all carbohydrate-rich food, is a very big temptation for you. No matter how hard you try, you can't let this food sit for long. In addition, you will not feel as well if you eat less of these foods. If your need for carbohydrate-rich snacks is greater when you are depressed or sad, then it could be that you have a carbohydrate addiction.
If you have a carbohydrate addiction, a diet where you eat little or no carbohydrates is a constant battle. You crave carbohydrate-rich foods during the diet. You try to stick to the diet, but eventually you become irritable, moody, or sad. In short, with a carbohydrate addiction, you cannot maintain a low-carbohydrate diet.
Complaints of carbohydrate addiction
To determine that you have a carbohydrate addiction, you can use the symptoms below. The more things you recognize from this list, the greater the chance that you have a carbohydrate addiction.
Common complaints
- You are regularly looking for carbohydrate-rich snacks throughout the day
- If you leave carbohydrate-rich food, you will notice that your mood and your environment immediately know that you are trying to maintain a diet again
- You like dishes with pasta, potatoes or rice and you can't imagine a day without bread
- A low-carb diet such as Atkins or "Doctor Frank" is unsustainable for you, because over time you will no longer feel comfortable or begin to develop downright depressive feelings.
- If you feel restless, sad or angry, this could be a reason for you to eat extra sweets. A stressful situation can also be a reason for you to go snacking
- You are not depressed, but also not really happy with your current life
Less common complaints
- You would rather have a piece of chocolate, a biscuit or chips than a slice of cucumber as a snack.
- You have to overcome a resistance to do some exercise
- You think you have mental health problems and that you 'eat' them
- You often dread something and worry quickly
- When you come back from a holiday you are a bit depressed for a few days / you have a 'dip'
- Spring and summer are more pleasant seasons than autumn and winter
Risk groups with an increased risk of carbohydrate addiction
If you belong to one of the following groups, you have a greater chance of a carbohydrate addiction
There are people in your family who
- suffer from depression to a greater or lesser extent
- taking antidepressants
- eat a lot of carbohydrate-rich food
If you suffer from
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- a mild winter depression or
- bulimia
