The Sweet Relief of Ultra-Processed Abstinence

Confessions of a UPF Addict

Warhol Does Donuts | Imagined by Jaye in Midjourney

Hi, I’m Jaye, and I’m an ultra-processed food addict.

"Hi, Jaye."

I've been working on healing my relationship with food through diets, personal training, therapy, and even going to Overeaters Anonymous. I thought a 12-step approach would be most effective because it was more about the mind and the spirit than the body. I'd also felt in my bones that I had some true addiction issues with food. Weight loss would become a side effect of healing that issue in my mind and soul. It was a lovely concept, but I ultimately didn't stay for long.

Overeaters Anonymous: What Worked and What Didn't

I stayed long enough to learn a few things but not enough to work The Steps. The program felt a bit too reminiscent of my days in the Evangelical church—complete with a Big Book and group confessions. The book was too an…