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Touched-up photos of thin, beautiful women and muscular, gorgeous men. Movies where sadness is met with a tub of ice cream. Living in a world that feels out of control. These are just a few of the societal factors that contribute to food addiction. But what exactly is food addiction? Does my craving for a bowl of ice cream, or a pint or half gallon, constitute food addiction? How can we tell if our teenager has a food issue? What can we do to help or to prevent a problem in the first place? Food addiction expert Jennifer Alembik answers these questions and more in her discussion with Mighty Parenting Podcast host Sandy Fowler.
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A Favorite Quote from the Show:
“There’s a difference between self care and self love. We need to teach our kids to love themselves, to speak to themselves lovingly.”
High Points From Our Conversation On Understanding Food Addiction For You And Your Teenager:
Food addiction involves an obsession with food, an obsession with weight, or a lack of control over the amount eaten.
Teens tend to obsess about weight more than food.
Jennifer’s daughter was obsessing about her weight but once she took control of her food she found a healthy path.
We need to learn to eat healthy and with proper portions.
There’s a difference between self care and self love. Self care is when our teens take care of themselves on the outside so they feel good on the inside. Self love is when they take care in what they say to themselves, when they speak to themselves with kindness and love.
Parents tend to be concerned with our teenagers’ grades, friends and social interactions but we need to be aware of their eating habits too. We also need to be a healthy role model for them.
Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Addicts come from loving homes and dysfunctional homes alike.
Food addiction is a mental, physical, and spiritual problem and needs to be treated on all levels.
Being overweight does not make you a food addict. It’s all about how you use food. If you use food to numb out, are hiding, obsessing, or binging then you may be an addict.
Women regularly discuss our weight but not our behavior around food.
If you’re concerned about your teen then having family meals and noticing their behavior around food is a good place to start. Are they eating? Are they counting calories? If they gain weight, are they still happy? Is their exercise balanced or obsessive? It’s all about how they’re feeling in their body.
Dig into their motives for doing and not doing things. Ask ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions in an effort to understand where they’re coming from.
Watch what you say to your kids and what you say to yourself, especially around your kids.
What you think about your kids matters.
Resources Mentioned in the Show:
Mighty Parenting episode 113 Understanding and Managing Emotions with Jude Bijou
Our Guest Jennifer Alembik:
Jennifer Alembik is a Food Addiction Coach and recovering food addict who has devoted her life to speaking, writing, and coaching on this debilitating disease. Jenny’s intense passion to raise awareness and help others comes from her own personal struggle with food. She sought treatment at age 21 and unfortunately, it was ineffective. Finally, at the age of 45 yrs., she learned of her severe addiction to sugar and flour; the addictive culprits of her insane obsession and compulsion to eat. She currently resides in Florida with her three children; maintaining a 75lb weight loss and enjoying a full life, obsession free.
To learn more or connect with our guest visit https://www.jenniferalembik.com
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