What I believe is that food is not like other addictions. You can do without drugs or alcohol FOREVER, but as long as you are alive (and want to stay that way) you will always have to eat food.

I don't ban food, but I also don't keep food that I know (from a lifetime of experiance) I will start obsessing over in my house. My kids get pleny of snacks and sweets (they are not too particular!) But no bagles or (quality) chocolates or strawberry-rhubarb pies, three things (there are a few others!) that I will eat at the slightest provocation, are coming into my house.

No one would expect a drug addict to keep heroin in his home for other members of his/her family, so why should I have this stuff (after all it's really not vital FOOD) in my home?

i think depends on you and how you react to food. For me, I have put a total ban on all bread and sugar and wheat. these are the things that drive me down a spiral of uncontrolled binging. I know I cant control myself so I dont eat it. Right now I am following a diet that doesnt even include fruit and that works for me and keeps me sane. What keeps me on this diet is the knowledge that if I have even a tiny bit of sugar (even natural kind) I wont be able to stop and will gain the weight back. My friend however is successfully doing weight watchers and eats the occasional chocolate or chips or whatver but she can control herself and ony does it in moderation. Find out waht works for you and do that, because not everyone is the same