[avaanstar]

When I feel bad about myself, I'll go eat candy and food.
Food is definitely a comfort to me.

How should I control this addiction?

[lovebug2140]

I would if I were you. If you eat comfort food in moderation it isn't bad. Its just that is easier to pack on the pounds then lose them. I gained 40 pounds in only a few months, and it took me a whole year to lose it.

[JBeaucaire]

Comfort food is fine. That's why it's called comfort food, it comforts you.

Feeling bad about one's self is often a waste of good energy, too. When you're done with your comfort food, get out there and compliment someone. Make them feel better about themselves. You'll end up feeling better, too. Guaranteed.

[linnealand]

If you're talking about junky comfort foods, I would recommend changing what you consider to be acceptable comfort foods. There are a lot of "comforting" foods that can be bad for you, and there are a lot of "comforting" foods that can be good for you.

If you make them yourself, they'll be better for you, better tasting, and a lot more special. This way you can savor the experience.

Good ones:

- apple sauce
- cottage cheese
- roasted veggies
- chicken soup
- minestrone
- pumpkin soup
- pasta fagioli (which is like a soup with pasta and white beans)
- stews loaded with vegetables (yes, you can definitely have meat in it; just use leaner meat and keep it heavy with colorful vegetables. You can also skim the fat from the top if you make it a day in advance)

Some tips:

Fill up on fruits! If you keep lots of your favorites in the house, they'll be much easier to snack on. It's also really pretty to look at when piled in bowls in various rooms.

Green tea or lemon water are great for detoxing your body, and they also fill you up.

Bad ones:

Anything that has been processed (including any and all diet versions), soaked in oil, fried, or smothered in cheese.

[linnealand]

One more thing. Drink a lot of water. Lots of it. If you drink a couple of big glasses of it before you eat, you'll feel full faster.

Also, maybe you need a hobby. What about painting or something similar that will give you an outlet for your feelings? Then whenever you're feeling upset, go right back to what you were working on. You'll feel that you're accomplishing a lot more, and you'll be building up yourself esteem in the meantime.

I think that there are support groups for people with food addictions. I don't know how serious your situation is, but you might want to look into it for some positive resources.