Food Addiction is a Science: And You're the Target

You promised yourself today you would only eat a handful of Cheetos.  Just a handful, that is it!  Then you would put the bag back on the shelf and leave it there until tomorrow.  Tomorrow you are starting your diet anyway, so maybe you will just throw the bag away.  However, ten minutes later in the midst of your favorite new reality TV show you see an advertisement for ice cream and your taste buds start tingling.  So, you go to the fridge and decide a ½ cup will not do any harm; besides, it is not like you are addicted.  Or are you?...


How does it make you feel to know large food corporations such as Nabisco, Kraft, Coca-Cola, and General Mills have specific formulas to keep you munching on your favorite snack foods, breakfast cereals and sugary drinks?

There is whats called a 'bliss' point in food taste.  A taste that is not too overwhelming, but distinct enough.  Just enough, that you can keep eating it without your brain telling you to stop.  

So you are most likely, whether you know it or not, addicted to three substances 

- SUGAR - FAT - and SALT... 

the three giants added to foods to dazzle your testbeds and fool your brain.

Did you know that some Yoplait varieties - for instance, GoGurts that we so often feed kids - have the sugar of more than two oreo cookies.

Big deal you say, what's two oreo cookies?  7 grams of sugar.  Still not impressed? 

According to the American Heart Association, kids should only have 12 grams of sugar per day.

So if a kid eats one GoGurt and two oreos, they are already exceeding the maximum.

See how easy it can add up?

Stay tuned for more on food addiction, advertising affects, why we're hooked, chemical additives, and how to stop.

Feel free to post questions, comments, or topics you'd like to know more about - I'm happy to get to as many as I can!

America's Addiction

Hello dear readers!  

I hope you are all doing well on this lovely Tuesday morning (almost afternoon).  For many of us, I would hazard to say almost all Americans - we have a serious addiction.  An addiction that often causes iritability, sleeplessness (or worse sleep!), headaches, and the list goes on.  An addiction, to sugar.  Why?  Practically all of the foods you consume today have sugar in them.  If its not added natural sugar, then its refined sugar.  If its not refined sugar, its fake sugar.  Either way you slice it - its sugar, and its addicitve.  Highly addictive.   For most of us, this picture rings true however, whether you realize it or not, is another story. 


 Fun Fact: Today, an average American consumes 2-3 pounds of sugar each week. While at the end of the 19th century (1887-1890), the average American consumed only 5 lbs. per year.

    


Check out the pictures below.  Even drinks that claim "natural" sugar, or make "healthy" claims, have sugar.  More then you probably thought.    How about this thought: do NOTHING different to your diet and exercise habit but add only ONE glass of apple juice every day.  In one year, you will gain 10lbs.





      
   
   


Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!


 Stay tuned. 

Weekly Challenge: No White This Week

Hello dear readers!

Once again I've failed to be consistent!  I had my GRE test this weekend (Saturday), so I was a bit of a crazy mess until it was finally over.  Now, I feel as though a good weight has been lifted and I can blog once again!  Hip hip hooray for health! I know its Monday tomorrow, but lets all just try and enjoy the week.  After all, whats better then a mid-week break?! 

On to this weeks health challenge...its going to definitely be a challenge, considering this week is the fourth of July!  Good luck....

Challenge for the weeek: NO WHITE FOR A WEEK.


What does this mean you ask?  No "white?" Yes, no white. You heard me. 

None of this:



*Gasps* from the reader.  This guy, is a nasty fellow.  Just look at how sinister he looks! 

The Why:
White bread is bleached flour.  Most of the fiber that was in it - has been removed.  When the fiber is removed, it becomes a simple carb.  You're body treats simple carbs like sugar.  When you ingest white bread, because you're body treats it like sugar, your insulin levels rise.  Because your insulin levels rise, you're body in turn stores this into fat cells.

You wouldn't eat bleach.  Don't eat bleached flour. 

So when you're at the family picnic this Wednesday, just remember "the whiter the bread, the quicker your dead" and maybe you will stay away from white bread. 

For those of you who say, "I only eat whole wheat!" (with a triumphant face) please feel inclined to take this challenge to the next level.  Eat 100% whole grains this week. 

Please let me know how this one goes. 

Stay tuned.