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Getting Physically Clean
by Kay Sheppard, LMHC, CEDS  

One the greatest struggles in recovery is defining abstinence in order to obtain and maintain physical recovery. Some who have difficulty staying abstinent never get physically clean. When a food addict ingests even a small amount of addictive substance, cravings are triggered and along with them, such as the urge to binge. In order to get clean and stay that way, a food addict needs to:

..... Read the list of ingredients for every food purchase.
..... Know all of the names for sugar.
..... Understand the zero sugar concept.
..... Get the recipe for mixtures ordered in restaurants.
..... Mistrust sugar-free labels on foods.
..... Avoid mixtures of food prepared by others.
..... Eat simply.
..... Be prepared by planning ahead.
..... Take responsibility for all food eaten.
..... Leave nothing to chance.

Informed eating results in relief from craving. If you are struggling with abstinence, check the sweeteners you are using. Many contain dextrose, and all of the packets contain enough sugar to trigger craving. Zero sugar is the goal, but sugar is not the only substance which will trigger the addictive process. The following will also result in an addictive response:

..... Alcoholic beverages and extracts
..... Wheat
..... Flour
..... Personal trigger foods
..... Chocolate
..... High fat foods
..... Highly refined and processed food
..... Dried fruit and bananas, cherries, grapes and mangos
..... Volume

Ask Yourself:

Do I review the ingredients in every food I eat?
Have I eliminated all foods that contain addictive substances?
What changes will I need to make in order to achieve and maintain physical abstinence?

An Affirmation: I deserve clean abstinence.

BROWSING FOR SUBSTITUTES

The 'substitute browser' can be found in the grocery and health food store looking for "abstinent" forms of pasta, ice cream, candy, cake, crackers and bread in an attempt to maintain old eating patterns developed in the disease. The commitment to abstinence-based recovery involves surrender to the fact that these foods cannot be tolerated physically because they are not sugar-free or flour-free. Despite their appearance as health, diet or sugarless food they contain flour and other refined carbohydrates which will trigger the disease.

Longing for the old way of eating takes us mentally back into the disease process. A new way of thinking -- recovery thinking -- involves designing a new way of eating without the addictive foods we have come to depend upon. Seeking and preparing appropriate quality foods is challenging, exciting and supports our recovery process.

Can you say "I eat differently now"? Ask yourself:

Have I accepted food choices as a way of life?
Is my energy directed toward recovery?
Do I manipulate my food plan in order to maintain the old way of eating? If so, how do I manipulate the food plan?
Do I shop for trouble?

Identify all foods that contain sugar, flour, wheat or any other trigger substance. Abstain from these for 90 days and evaluate the results.

An Affirmation: I appreciate my food plan and enjoy clean abstinence.