Binge Eating

Being compulsive is great if you're paying attention to your form at the gym or reading over a report that needs to go to your boss's boss. But it might not be as beneficial when it comes time to sit down to dinner: A new study published in the journal Appetite found a link between a compulsive personality and frequent binge eating—to the point where researchers considered many of the compulsive types food addicts. There is a silver lining, though: The study didn't show a connection between food addiction and an obesity-level BMI.

"This type of person is unlikely to plan ahead and tends to make quick decisions with an immediate reward or gratification," says Stephanie Middleberg, R.D., a nutritionist based in New York City. "Many people with food addiction have lower levels of dopamine receptors—the brain chemical in charge of pleasure—so as a result they need to reach a higher level of reward in order to feel the benefits." 

If you see these traits in yourself, you're not destined to be a donut junkie. Put the brakes on compulsive eating by setting clear guidelines for yourself (for example, maybe you'll decide to only eat out on weekends since most restaurant menus are basically designed to trigger overeating). Adding structure to your eating habits can help a lot, too, says Middleberg: For example, focus on dining with friends who have healthy food habits, or pledge to eat sitting down at a table rather than in front of the television.

MORE: Does Working Out Make You Eat More? 

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