Articles -
Unchaining Yourself from an
Unhealthy Food Addiction
The cry of “I have no willpower!” often emerges from the consumers
who jokingly surrender to their lack of will when it comes to eating
something clearly unhealthy. However, scientific nutritional research
has identified that something much more serious – much more dangerous –
is often at work here. For many people, what they perceive as a harmless
lack of willpower is actually an addiction an addiction to chemicals
that the brain secretes in response to stimulation by certain foods,
such as chocolate or cheese[i].
As dangerous as this addiction is, however, recent studies suggest
that it is actually much more frightening than it first seems. According
to one notable study, the human brain can release dopamine, which is a
neurotransmitter linked with feelings enjoyment, when a person merely
sees or smells certain foods[ii]. As such, people who may be sensibly
avoiding foods that release serotonin and other chemicals (such as
chocolate) may still be susceptible to a sight and smell-based addiction
to unhealthy food.
Understanding this complex problem begins with understanding the word
addiction. Defining a clear-cut definition of addiction is in itself a
challenge and a rather hotly debated pursuit at the moment. Still, there
is enough unity among credible social and biological scientists to say
that a person who is powerless to stop an action is addicted[iii]. When
applying this rather grave concept to eating, it becomes starkly clear
that choosing an extra slice of pizza or bar of chocolate may be the
expression of a very serious addiction to unhealthy food.
Remarkably, unlike how addictions to things like alcohol, drugs, and
sexual activity viewed biological and psychological illnesses, addiction
to eating is often ignored or, at the very least, diminished to be
something that is based on willpower. The insulting advice of “just
don’t eat it if you don’t want to get fat!” that some obese people
actually hear from their doctors, relatives, or colleagues is one of the
most common manifestations of this often well-meaning, but potentially
harmful, ignorance.
The bottom line fact – and one that more medical professionals are
accepting based on scientific evidence – is that obesity and related
eating disorders are often the results of an addiction they are a
serious health condition that must be approached methodologically like
other diseases[iv].
Understanding that food addiction is indeed a problem – a severe
disease, in fact – is a fundamental key in addressing this unique health
challenge. At the same time, the notion of “willpower” should be
removed, in most cases, from the eating disorder vocabulary, and
replaced with the word “addiction”. This will make that extra piece of
pizza or that third slice of chocolate cake be seen for what they often
are: the means to satisfy a bonafide addiction.
Once the “eating disorder as an addiction” paradigm is in place, then
and only then can both unhealthy eaters and those supporting them take
steps to solve the problem. While there are no overnight solutions,
there are paths that eaters can take that head in the right direction:
freedom from eating addiction. The first step on this path is to eat a
complete and balanced source of nutrition.
Taking this first step, like so much else associated with the
addiction to unhealthy food, is easier said than done. Eating sensibly
is unusually difficult in a time-starved culture and even more difficult
when there are arrays of self-described nutritious dietary sources to
choose from. Whether it is energy bars or fad diets, finding a simple,
convenient, and practical source of balanced nutrition is hard to find.
However, some exceptional products are garnering serious positive
attention from scientific community. These products deliver complete
protein in a vitamin enriched formula. Furthermore – and of critical
value – is that these products contain no carbohydrates, no unsaturated
fat, and few calories none of which are from fat. These products are
helping people unchain themselves from food addictions, and reflect a
trend towards nutritious and ethical nutritional supplement
manufacturing.
Of ultimate importance, however, is that these products return eating
choice control back to where it must always remain: with conscious and
empowered consumers, and not to some hidden and potentially destructive
addiction.
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with
offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica
manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact,
hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero
carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at
www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.
References
[i] Source: “That’s Why We Call it Junk Food”. MSNBC. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3606198/
[ii] Source: “Food on the Brain”. Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/free_forbes/2005/0110/063.html
[iii] Source: “Addiction”. eHealth Connection. http://www.ehealthconnection.com/regions/ehealth/health_information/
00036220.asp
[iv] Source: “Obesity as a Disease”. MPR News. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/03/29_bensonl_desease/
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