The average American probably doesn't realize that some foods, particularly those laden with sodium, sugar, and fat, can be addictive. To most, it's just a tasty treat. Unfortunately, this combo can impact the chemicals in your brain, stimulating its reward center, causing us to want more.
Every person has a sweet spot, so to speak, or peak pleasure point as it relates to sugar, sodium, and fat. The food industry calls it the bliss point. It is the target they hope to hit to leave a lasting impression on your brain. Much research has been done on people
There is a fair amount of research on the subject. One particular study was very interesting to me. Rodents were fed meals with substantial amounts of fat, sugar, and sodium. Researchers found not only that the rodents' reward centers were activated, but that when healthier meals were reintroduced, the rodents appeared to suffer from withdrawal, which highlights the addictive nature of such food ingredients.
The decision to eat sugar, fat, and sodium consistently causes many problems. Certainly, health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major risks of such unhealthy eating. What's more, the combination of these ingredients can impact the brain to such a degree that one can become conditioned to unconsciously eat too much. Another factor that doesn't help the situation is that sugar and salt carry the capability to extend the shelf life of certain products, making these unhealthy foods readily available. Hopefully, this sheds some light on the massive increase in overweight adults in our country.
The food companies, with the help of their advertising agencies, are more than happy to help condition us as well. I'm sure you've heard the term "comfort food" before. It's emotional eating. Have Grandma's apple pie and you'll feel better. Advertisers are paid millions of dollars if they can successfully tie subconscious emotions to products. Doing this with food and alcohol appears to be pretty easy to do. You never see a fast food commercial with an obese person scarfing down a value meal and every beer is cracked open at a standing-room only party with wall to wall models.
Unfortunately, these foods are very unhealthy and make us fat. It is probably not the intention of food companies, but it happens nonetheless. Their focus is on profit and customer retention. They do this by unleashing the potent combo of salt, sugar, and fat. It's easy to succumb to so I suggest avoiding these products at the grocery story. Additionally, pack a snack bag when on the road or around town, so you keep yourself from indulging in the nearest unhealthy drive through, solely because it's there and you're hungry. Sweet fruits can work extremely well in ending sugar craves and healthy fats in nuts and seeds can help make you feel full. I highly recommend giving it a chance.
Every person has a sweet spot, so to speak, or peak pleasure point as it relates to sugar, sodium, and fat. The food industry calls it the bliss point. It is the target they hope to hit to leave a lasting impression on your brain. Much research has been done on people
There is a fair amount of research on the subject. One particular study was very interesting to me. Rodents were fed meals with substantial amounts of fat, sugar, and sodium. Researchers found not only that the rodents' reward centers were activated, but that when healthier meals were reintroduced, the rodents appeared to suffer from withdrawal, which highlights the addictive nature of such food ingredients.
The decision to eat sugar, fat, and sodium consistently causes many problems. Certainly, health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are major risks of such unhealthy eating. What's more, the combination of these ingredients can impact the brain to such a degree that one can become conditioned to unconsciously eat too much. Another factor that doesn't help the situation is that sugar and salt carry the capability to extend the shelf life of certain products, making these unhealthy foods readily available. Hopefully, this sheds some light on the massive increase in overweight adults in our country.
The food companies, with the help of their advertising agencies, are more than happy to help condition us as well. I'm sure you've heard the term "comfort food" before. It's emotional eating. Have Grandma's apple pie and you'll feel better. Advertisers are paid millions of dollars if they can successfully tie subconscious emotions to products. Doing this with food and alcohol appears to be pretty easy to do. You never see a fast food commercial with an obese person scarfing down a value meal and every beer is cracked open at a standing-room only party with wall to wall models.
Unfortunately, these foods are very unhealthy and make us fat. It is probably not the intention of food companies, but it happens nonetheless. Their focus is on profit and customer retention. They do this by unleashing the potent combo of salt, sugar, and fat. It's easy to succumb to so I suggest avoiding these products at the grocery story. Additionally, pack a snack bag when on the road or around town, so you keep yourself from indulging in the nearest unhealthy drive through, solely because it's there and you're hungry. Sweet fruits can work extremely well in ending sugar craves and healthy fats in nuts and seeds can help make you feel full. I highly recommend giving it a chance.
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