Like our friend fat, scientists at Duke University have also discovered that the biological mechanism that creates an appetite for salt is linked to the way addictive drugs influence the body.
According to the researchers, because the salt craving is so closely linked to drug addiction, this explains why abstinence-based treatments are so hard to enforce.
Sugar by far is the most well known when speaking about food cravings gone bad. The most heavily debated and studied, the bottom line is more science backs up its addictive nature than does not. The best pioneer in this area is Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. , author of the bestselling book: Potatoes Not Prozac, Little Sugar Addicts: End the Mood Swings, Meltdowns, Tantrums, and Low Self-Esteem in Your Child Today, and Your Last Diet!: The Sugar Addict’s Weight-Loss Plan.
Food manufacturers recognize and utilize our cravings, through ads and packaging, but also by using lots of dense little calories that stimulate dopamine production = feeling good (short term).
It is in and out of our systems so quickly – often we are still hungry and craving….
So, what does this all mean? No fat? No salt? No cookies EVER? No way!
Here are some key steps to regaining the Food Love Perspective:
1. Always listen to your body – not your mind. Often our inner dialogue is what is sabotaging our eating habits.
2. Reprogram automatic thoughts (from point 1) to be more aware of when, where, why, how and what you are eating. Write it down over a couple of weeks – it may shock you if you are honest.
3. Portion control yourself and don’t leave things out – unless a doctor has advised you to, or you have an allergy to something (even mild).
4. If you eat and drink – make food choices before that second drink. (We will have an entire blog on this subject at a future date).
5. Do what is good for you – not your neighbour, your wife or hubby, your skinny friend or your personal trainer.
Our goal is to use the blog to educate individuals on health and nutrition not advise. We hope that this piece does this, and puts you on a path to thinking about what you eat. Eating is a vital part of life and should be something that is enjoyed and relished. The end result is a happy body = a happy you.
I followed your blog before. I am hoping you have some of those great recipes soon. How about starting with a “good” version of those doughnuts? Common sense prevails with food, doesn’t?