Food...Is it Addictive?
This entry was posted on 1/16/2012 7:56 PM and is filed under general, diet and nutrition, fitness, media interests.
Interesting topic this afternoon...Dr Oz had a couple experts on talking about whether food is addictive or not. We'd like to weigh in with our thoughts. They may not answer the actual question, but we hope it will help people understand why they react the way they do.
As far as the classical definition of "addictive", we cannot see that any natural foods can meet that claim. Foods as they are found in nature are satisfying, good for you, and contain micro-nutrients that can be of great benefit. But there is nothing in naturally occurring foods that we can see that qualifies as addictive, implying a chemical need or dependency. If you discontinue eating natural foods, you may miss the way they make you feel energized and satiated, but your body probably will not "crave" the foods chemically if they are out of your diet for too long.
Processed foods, on the other hand, DO trigger certain "cravings". Not necessarily chemical dependency cravings, but the type that makes people more suggestive to desiring them when they are deprived of them...using all sorts of clever tricks...nutrient combinations (lots of sugar and fat together makes it very satisfying on the tongue), additives, artificially enhanced colors, fragrances, clever marketing using music and images that stay in your mind and are easily triggered by similar images...lots of things.
The reason we say they are NOT truly addictive is that you will not suffer conventional withdrawal symptoms if you cannot have the foods. You may be angry, you may be disappointed, but unlikely you will have severe headaches, psychological pressure, etc. (we are not saying it is impossible, but we are saying it is unlikely). In most cases, there are a couple simple steps to take to see if you are really addicted or simply craving something. We will introduce one idea in today's blog, more over the next few days.
Number one. Think back to your goal sheet. (You DO have a goal sheet that you carry around with you, right??) Put that image in your head, and think hard about what it is you are craving...will that craving make it harder for you to reach your goal? Is there something you can have in place of that craving that will help you move towards your goal? Give it a try. If you feel okay without it, make a note and remember that the next time you feel that way. Remember, while 300 calories may not sound like much, it can add up to 30 lbs in a year...and you KNOW you don't want that! If you really feel like you HAVE the item, try to plan it in to your meal plan for the following day...make room for it, and enjoy it as part of your plan, not an obstacle to derail your efforts.
We'll be back with more tips tomorrow.
