Food Addiction, the Problem and the Solution

Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir
Food Addiction, the Problem and the Solution

The International School For Food Addiction Counseling And Treatment (The INFACT School) brings you the podcast, Food Addiction: The Problem And The Solution which explores the ubiquitous problems of food addiction and presents the solution. The school, founded by director Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir MSc, is the world’s first and only sugar/food addiction counseling training with U.S. and European food addiction counselor certifications.  infactschool.com Host, Susan Branscome, a recovered food addict, interviews guests who are professionals and counselors focused on the disease of food addiction, as well as individuals who have successfully recovered from food addiction.   The podcast will resonate with food addicts, those dieting unsuccessfully, those desperate to learn more about food addiction and recover, as well as professionals treating and counseling clients with food addiction and medical practitioners treating patients suffering from obesity and obesity-related illnesses and issues. Subscribe to Food Addiction: The Problem and The Solution wherever you get your podcasts!

  1. JUN 17

    Food Addiction Recovery is Possible; Treatment is Necessary

    Guests Amanda Leith  SHiFT, Recovery By Acorn and Esther Helga Guðmundsdóttir, INFACT School both experienced the misery of obesity and countless failed diets—until they discovered their real problem: food addiction, a brain disease. Like many late-stage food addicts, they used food to cope with life, consuming far more food than their bodies needed. Once they recognized their addiction, they began abstinent food plans and recovery programs, shedding excess weight and doing the emotional work required to heal. Today, they live at healthy body weights and enjoy freedom from food addiction—one day at a time. Today, they devote their lives to helping others understand and recover from this illness.Food addiction is a substance use disorder involving ultra-processed foods, similar to alcohol or drug addiction. Amanda and Esther assess clients using food use history and tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Sugar—technically not a food but an additive—has over 260 names and is often hidden in products through deceptive labeling by food companies.Many of their clients have tried everything to control their food use and/or lose weight, often arriving desperate and willing to try something new. At SHiFT, Amanda guides clients toward abstinence from addictive foods while addressing the emotional drivers behind food use. As cravings and withdrawal pass, clients gain relief from the addiction and obsessive food thoughts and learn to enjoy eating whole, nourishing foods.Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, we cannot abstain from food entirely, which makes food addiction more complex. Yet the solution lies in abstaining from addictive foods and engaging in emotional recovery work.Phil Werdell, website, a pioneer in the field, greatly influenced Amanda and Esther. His teachings on powerlessness and denial are foundational to their treatment approach, and they credit him for shaping their understanding and protocols.Amanda explains the difference between emotional eating and true food addiction in this episode. While emotional eaters may recover through therapy alone, food addicts must first remove addictive substances and engage in structured recovery with support. At SHiFT, Recovery By Acorn, food and emotional issues are treated concurrently.With chronic disease and metabolic dysfunction at crisis levels—primarily driven by poor nutrition, food addiction, and obesity—Esther Helga argues that food companies knowingly exploit this addiction for profit.The International Food Addiction Conference will hold its second event in London, September 4–5, 2025, highlighting food addiction and its comorbidities. At the 2024 London conference, an influential group of professionals reached a Consensus:   Ultra-Processed Food is a Substance Use Disorder.   Advocacy continues to classify food addiction within the ICD (World Health Organization) and the DSM (American Psychiatric Association), paving the way for insurance coverage of treatment.Don’t miss this powerful episode as we explore food addiction—its root causes, and the hope of recovery.

    1h 10m
  2. MAY 14

    My Mission is to Help Souls Fly

    Barney Reason is a recovering food addict who has also overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, and compulsive behaviors. His journey began early—he had his first drink at age 7 and got sober from alcohol by 25 years old. But as the alcohol stopped, his food addiction escalated, leading him to a peak weight of 365 pounds.  Barney grew up in a deeply unstable environment, marked by abuse, neglect, and chaos—he lived in 16 different homes in 16 years. As a child, his emotions, especially anger, were not welcomed or validated. In response, he turned to food, substances, and compulsive behaviors to soothe his anxiety and numb his pain.  For years, Barney sought relief from overwhelming feelings, not realizing that the intensity of his emotions was part of being human. Today, he embraces those feelings, knowing they pass, and feels more alive than ever.  Barney’s recovery has been long and difficult, but he now uses his experience to help others find hope and healing through 12-step recovery. Barney became a Certified Food Addiction Professional (https://infactschool.com/treatment-certification-program/) through the the INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) He is on staff at SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn (https://foodaddiction.com/) a food addiction treatment program which is committed to supporting people recover from food addiction and lead better lives.    He helps with SHiFT’s Intensive Treatment program, where attendees learn to experience sobriety from addictive eating, along with the incredible new freedom.    Barney Reason’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, transformation, and the possibility of achieving lasting freedom from addiction, as well as the gifts of helping others recover.

    58 min
  3. MAR 18

    It Is Only Because I am Powerless That I am Willing

    David Wolfe is a certified food addiction counselor and co-founder of SUGARx Global (https://www.sugarxglobal.com/), an online community dedicated to helping individuals overcome sugar and food addictions. David has been instrumental in developing impactful programs that support people successfully finding freedom from addictive food behaviors. He is also the co-author of The Fix For Cravings (https://tinyurl.com/yhnnnc3x) with Cynthia Myers-Morrison a book offering practical strategies and insights for managing cravings and maintaining long-term recovery.   David emphasizes community support, connection, and comprehensive lifestyle changes in the recovery journey. His approach blends professional expertise with personal experience to provide holistic, compassionate support for those struggling with food and sugar addiction. At SUGARx Global, trained counselors use assessments to help clients identify patterns of food and sugar use and cravings. Many clients arrive after trying countless approaches and suffering the painful consequences of food addiction. Through personalized tools and counseling, clients begin to recognize the addictive nature of certain foods and behaviors. The process often uncovers layers of denial, shame, and guilt, creating space for acceptance and willingness to heal. Counselors guide clients to plan, prepare, and remove trigger foods, which are essential steps toward recovery.   David also addresses common misconceptions about food addiction, urging patients to educate their healthcare providers on this often misunderstood condition. He highlights the power of group support, emphasizing how shared vulnerability and collective momentum within groups can drive lasting change.   Although David’s personal story is not one of obesity, he struggled with obsessive and compulsive food thoughts and behaviors. It wasn’t until he attended the The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) that he fully realized his own patterns of food addiction. This episode offers valuable, educational insights into what food addiction is, how to recognize it, and how to recover—making it essential listening for anyone seeking understanding, hope, and actionable solutions.

    51 min
  4. FEB 25

    Food Addiction is Not Your Fault, Yet It Is Your Responsibility to Recover When You Know

    Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota brings a unique blend of expertise as a practicing clinician, data specialist, researcher, and educator at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the largest university in Latin America. The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) (https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/fastlab/yale-food-addiction-scale/) is the most widely used food addiction screening tool worldwide. Dr. Soto-Mota utilized another food addiction screening technique, CRAVED (https://the-chc.org/assets/uploads/CRAVED%20Introduction%20and%20Notes%20for%20the%20User_Update_240506.pdf), a shorter yet effective screening method, in his research. His study distinguishes between binge-eating disorder and food addiction, highlighting key differences. While binge-eating disorder is recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, food addiction as a substance use disorder is not—an important distinction.  Having experienced childhood obesity himself, Dr. Soto-Mota understands the personal impact of food addiction and is deeply committed to addressing the ongoing childhood obesity crisis in Mexico. In May 2024, he participated in the IFACC conference in London, where he signed a groundbreaking Consensus Statement (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a00ee3aa6c.html). This agreement, developed by 40 experts over many months, recognizes ultra-processed food addiction as a substance use disorder. The next IFACC London Conference is set for 2025: IFACC London Conference 2025 (https://the-chc.org/fas/conference), Dr. Soto-Mota emphasizes that while food addiction is not our fault, we have a personal responsibility to acknowledge it and take steps toward recovery to live healthier, fuller lives. Tune in to this insightful episode.

    58 min
  5. FEB 4

    The Problem Was Never My Body Weight; the Problem was WHY I Overate.

    Sachir Ajlouni’s incredible journey from obesity and food addiction to recovery is a story of hope and transformation. Weighing 450 pounds at his heaviest, Sachir spent over 30 years trapped in a cycle of compulsive overeating and failed attempts at weight loss, including bariatric surgery. It wasn’t until he entered SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn (https://foodaddiction.com/) a food addiction recovery program that he realized the true nature of his struggle: it wasn’t just about his weight or eating habits—it was his addiction to food that had been controlling his life. After seeing success from others, he entered a food addiction program where he met Phil Werdell (https://www.foodaddictioninstitute.org/post/in-loving-memory), founder of SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn.    Through his own recovery, Sachir lost 250 pounds and gained a deeper understanding of how food can be as addictive as alcohol or drugs. He now devotes his life to helping others break free from the chains of food addiction through Aglon Recovery (https://aglonrecovery.com/), a center he founded to offer support and healing.  Sachir’s workshops help people recognize that food addiction is real and that overcoming it requires more than just willpower. It’s about understanding the emotional and psychological drivers behind eating behaviors and taking responsibility for recovery once the problem is recognized.  If you’re struggling with your own relationship with food, or if you know someone who is, this podcast offers an opportunity to hear firsthand how recovery is possible. Sachir’s story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, support, and commitment to change. Tune in to listen to an inspiring account of resilience and recovery—and learn how you, too, can begin your journey toward healing.

    53 min
  6. JAN 14

    All Behavior Originates In The Brain

    Dr. Bonnie Nolan holds a PhD in neuroscience and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With expertise in both neuroscience and psychotherapy, she works on the front lines of opioid addiction, understanding the brain's dopamine response to addictive substances. She also recognizes how genetics, environment, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression contribute to addiction. Having struggled with alcohol addiction herself, Dr. Nolan has been in recovery for years, seeing addiction’s prevalence in her large family. Her experience at the The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) led her to identify as a food addict, a diagnosis confirmed by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_Food_Addiction_Scale). She believes ultra-processed foods should be included in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-V)of the American Psychiatric Association as a substance use disorder. Dr. Nolan’s work focuses on the link between childhood trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and addiction, with many clients unaware of or minimizing past traumas. She leads group recovery courses, including one for women with food addiction, where she helps them process trauma and gain control over what they can change. Dr. Nolan has witnessed the brain’s ability to reset and the potential to reverse the dopamine response to addictive substances through recovery practices.  Dr. Nolan has witnessed firsthand the possibility of reversing the dopamine response to ingesting substances through recovery practices.  This podcast episode is excellent and delves into Dr. Nolan’s unique blend of education, professional expertise, and personal experience in addiction and treatment.

    59 min
  7. 12/10/2024

    Abstinence Without Food Addiction Recovery Is Just Another Diet!

    The INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) is the only school in the world that teaches students about the science of food addiction and how to treat it.  Graduates receive a Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP) which is recognized in Europe and the U.S.  This seven-month virtual training program involves speakers and many top professionals who study the disease of food addiction. Students are taught screening, assessments and intake technique processes involving looking at behaviors and addiction genealogy. They are trained in counseling and treatment for abstinence and the reversal of personality changes that happen as a person becomes addicted to a substance.  The guest is the podcast owner and highly respected pioneer and school’s founder, Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir, a recovered food addict who released 130 lbs. to achieve a healthy weight through abstinence and working a 12-step food addiction recovery program.  She then knew what her life’s mission would be: help other food addicts by opening a treatment center in Iceland and beginning the INFACT School.  Over 130 students have graduated from the school, with new classes offered in March and September each year.   We discuss the science behind food addiction, which is just like the addiction to alcohol and drugs: a dopamine response, and over time, experiencing higher tolerance, using more of the substance despite negative consequences. Late-stage food addicts are often obese with obesity-related health issues and cannot stop on their own from eating the offending foods, and once they start, they have difficulty stopping.   37 clinicians, researchers, and academics throughout the world have reached an agreement that food addiction, specifically ultra-processed food addiction, is a substance use disorder.  The International Food Addiction Consensus (IFAC) (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a00ee3aa6c.html) met in London, U.K. in May 2024, and a conference is planned in Mexico City in September 2025 as the application is being submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) to be placed in the International Classification of Disease, (ICD) to place ultra-processed food addiction as a substance use disorder, in the ICD. Esther believes in complete abstinence from sugar and addictive foods, along with treatment and recovery programs to recover from food addiction. Her work and that of the school have been impactful and revolutionary.  Listen to this wonderful interview with Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir. Yale Food Addiction Scale https://infactschool.com/yale-food-addiction-survey/

    54 min

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

The International School For Food Addiction Counseling And Treatment (The INFACT School) brings you the podcast, Food Addiction: The Problem And The Solution which explores the ubiquitous problems of food addiction and presents the solution. The school, founded by director Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir MSc, is the world’s first and only sugar/food addiction counseling training with U.S. and European food addiction counselor certifications.  infactschool.com Host, Susan Branscome, a recovered food addict, interviews guests who are professionals and counselors focused on the disease of food addiction, as well as individuals who have successfully recovered from food addiction.   The podcast will resonate with food addicts, those dieting unsuccessfully, those desperate to learn more about food addiction and recover, as well as professionals treating and counseling clients with food addiction and medical practitioners treating patients suffering from obesity and obesity-related illnesses and issues. Subscribe to Food Addiction: The Problem and The Solution wherever you get your podcasts!

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