The Sweet Relief of Ultra-Processed Abstinence

Confessions of a UPF Addict

Jul 15, 2024

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 antiquated for me to relate, and as an atheist, I'm still trying to work out what exactly a Higher Power is. While I appreciate the support that 12-step programs offer to many, for now, it’s not the place for me.

However, the meetings taught me a lot, especially just how many of us battle sugar and ultra-processed food (UPF) addictions. A common thread of abstinence among members was to cut those substance-like food products out of their lives. Those who managed to abstain this way lost weight, silenced the "food noise," and seemed far happier, healthier, and balanced than the "everything in moderation" crowd. Personally, I thought they were unicorns. A life without sugar and fast food? No, thank you. But obviously, this stuck with me. Because here I am, slowly moving towards a lifestyle like those magical creatures.

Sugar Addiction: Is It All in My Head? | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

The Eye-Opening Truth About Food Addiction

The idea that sugar isn’t addictive and that we're blowing this whole UPFs thing out of proportion is popular online, but live a day with my cravings, and you might disagree. A pivotal moment for me was an article in The Washington Post, revealing how Big Food compensates some #antidiet influencers to minimize the detrimental effects of sugar and highly manufactured foods. This story, which also covered my personal struggle with obesity, made me reconsider my beliefs about what food does to our brains, especially sugar and ultra-processed foods.

Anti-Establishment Nutrition

I have designed what I'm calling a therapeutic diet, which sounds more clinical than it feels. It’s about listening to my body, respecting its needs, questioning "Industry," and pursuing science. Decades of diet deconstruction have led me to believe that the people going keto, carnivore, or "clean eating" are not the ones in "a cult," after all. I'm starting to feel like the food industry has cultivated a physical and chemical dependency in many of us, and those corporations don't care about obesity or the chronic diseases their lab-designed monster foods are causing. Who's brainwashed here: those of us buying into the Big Food Machine, its marketing, and disinformation campaigns, or those choosing to abstain?

I know I sound a bit like a conspiracy theorist and will likely get some backlash for saying these things out loud, but it all tracks with my personal food issues. I don't judge anyone who can eat these foods without getting triggered into an addictive cycle of self-harm; to be honest, I kinda envy them! My health choices are my own, and I'm here to share, not to preach or convert.

But why does society commend individuals abstaining from alcohol or drugs yet judge those who cut out certain foods? Is abstinence an eating disorder, or is it self-discipline and making better choices for my addictive brain chemistry? The hypocrisy is rampant among dieticians, therapists, and doctors, and this enabling is happily fueled by the food industry's marketing and government policies.

A Therapeutic Diet | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Methods and Madness

There's a strange dichotomy in how we treat health: undergo surgery or take a drug, and you’re seen as proactive; start a keto or carnivore diet, and suddenly, you're reckless. I prefer addressing my issues with food head-on rather than looking for a pharmaceutical or surgical fix. Again, if taking a GLP-1 agonist or getting surgery was your solution, I don't judge! I know it's not for me, and in my perspective, it feels pretty extreme compared to addressing the food and doing what it takes to heal that relationship. But I applaud anyone doing whatever it takes to reverse obesity and keep it in full remission.

A Life (Mostly) Without Processed Foods: My Results

Ever since the WaPo article, I've been reducing my intake of sugar and ultra-processed foods, and let me tell you, the past three months have been eye-opening. I’ve experienced significant improvements in mental clarity and a decrease in cravings. And every time I choose to indulge again, I recognize a definite trigger that starts a vicious cycle of cravings. This theory isn't just in my head. I mean... it is in my head: it's an addiction. But I'm not imagining it. Whole foods never cause this chemical response in me. Some people can handle sugar and UPFs without it causing serious harm. There is no question now that I am not "some people."

UPFs - There Be Dragons | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Real Food Is Not the Problem

I'm finally ready to admit that my relationship with food has not been the problem all these decades—it's my relationship with food-like substances. I am ready to fully commit to avoiding sugar, refined carbs, and UPFs—a decision I don’t take lightly. I’ll share more about this journey as I experiment and find what works best.

And FWIW, if my mom makes an incredible homemade dessert with all the love in her heart, or my dear friend offers me her amazing homemade sourdough bread, I'm gonna eat it. I'll still eat a yummy basket of fresh cheese curds at the pub and drink a beer during a Packers game. But with caution, awareness, and utmost respect—which is how I should have approached those indulgences all along! I will know to be on the lookout for cravings for a few days after—much like a hangover—and just... be careful and don't give in. I have a feeling after years of practice, the occasional indulgence won't make me fear I'll be "falling off a wagon," but for now, I must proceed with an abundance of caution.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

Could it be that simple?

Yes, it's simple and complex. Food is simple, but addiction is complex. The industry has complicated our collective relationship with food enormously. Eating whole foods never did this to us.

Stay tuned—I will document this experiment and look forward to sharing the journey!

Thank you for listening! 💖
~J.

Let's Talk About It!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your relationship with food? Have you ever tried eliminating certain foods from your diet? What was your experience like? Do you think food can truly be addictive, like drugs or alcohol? How do you balance listening to your body with overwhelming diet advice and food industry temptations?

Share Your Thoughts and Experiences

I’d love to hear your stories and tips. Comment below to join the discussion, or share this post with someone who might find it helpful and interesting. Let’s navigate these tricky waters together!