You probably already know that when alcoholics in recovery say they are “sober,” it means that they are not drinking any alcohol.  But when food addicts in recovery say they are “abstinent,” does this mean that they are not eating any food?  Of course not.  In OA, “abstinence” is the word used to describe freedom from eating compulsively.  What does that mean?  In general, it means that they have stopped eating whatever they want and as much as they want – – that they are following some type of food plan AND that they are no longer engaging in food-related behaviors associated with active food addiction, such as binge-eating, taking laxatives, vomiting,…  Specifically, however, abstinence means different things to different people.  Some people feel comfortable with the rigidity found in eating only 3 weighed and measured meals per day with nothing inbetween except coffee, tea, and low-cal drinks.  Others follow plans given to them by their medical professionals.  Some belong to popular weight loss groups and use those plans as their food plans.  Some don’t measure at all, believing that food plans are not supposed to be “diets,” but rather, plans for “eating normally.”   They may use descriptions like “one plateful of ” or “one scoop of” or “one piece of” rather than using scales or measuring cups.  Still others, like myself, use a combination of all these.  Whatever food plan you decide to use, you will know you are abstinent by the peace you feel inside.  Abstinence is freedom from the feeling that you are acting-out behaviors beyond your control.  When you are able to eat what you have planned to eat, a sense of calm and relief will replace those feelings of self-hatred and helplessness that dominate the lives of all active food addicts.