... Food is a necessity, you have to eat to live. Other things aren't literally necessary for survival.

It's also hard to divorce yourself emotionally from food for many people. It's always there and always comforting.

I think one key is to radically change your views about it - you have to view it as fuel and nothing more, not as a friend, a reward, a pleasure, a pacifier, a sedative. If you don't look forward to ever meal, every snack, you will find it has less and less hold over you.

I fell into that mode. Used to think about it a lot when I was in my binging on pop and junk food the past two years, was always thinking about when it was time for the next can of Coke or Mt.
Dew. This summer did one thing for me, after my month of repulsion to food, I can eat most things again that are on my plan, but I still struggle daily to eat enough calories, I am satisfied or beyond with very small portions, I still look at many foods and turn away because it makes me queasy, and I have no desire for any kind of sweets or baked goods or fatty foods. I am always thirsty (the lamictal? My blood pressure meds?) and drink about a gallon of water a day. If I have to have an addiction, Dasani is a good one.

you should talk to a therapist.

But as Freud once said...Sometimes a muffin top is just a muffin top.