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Addiction to food, has it become bad enough in our generation to warrant the formation of a new group that follows the same bylaws as Alcoholics Anonymous?
Alexandra is not her real name but because Foods Addicts Anonymous is anonymous, the head of the Utah chapter here prefers to use a fictitious name. Alexandra is a mother of four, including twins. She agreed to go on camera representing the other members.
The FA charter is very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but instead of drink, food is the issue. "When I first got abstinence, what we call it, from flour and sugar in quantities, and I know the date, and it's amazing, my entire life has completely changed. It was like being born again," Alexandra said.
For all of us any time at any age, eating is both a necessity and a pleasure. FA does not argue that but does worry about food as an addiction. It has become a haven not only for overeaters, but those with eating disorders as well. "I was an extreme bulimic where upwards I would eat to get through life. It was like my drug. Food was my drug of choice. It was always about food," Alexandra said.
Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, Food Addicts Anonymous obviously does not abstain completely from food, but members of the group do dramatically modify the way they eat. Instead of grabbing everything, FA members choose carefully. More grain, fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods are on their menus, to name a few. Overeating and over-indulgence are out.
"I don't obsess about food. It's just for energy and fuel, and then I have this beautiful life in between my meals," Alexandra said.
Like Alcoholics Anonymous, Food Addicts Anonymous meets once a week for support and testimonials to help members to keep from falling off the wagon. It's a worldwide movement. The U.S. chapters assembled for an international convention in San Diego last year.
Meetings are held every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Charleston Assisted Living Center on 10020 N. 4600 West in Cedar Hills.
E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com
