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Why Are You Addicted To food?

ATTENTION: What are the signs of being a food addict and how to overcome food addiction…

food addiction

“Is Food Addiction A Common and Very Serious Problem…”

Listen, you might be laughing at the whole idea of food addiction as a common and very serious problem…

Through research, scientists have identified when a person is battling any type of addiction.

The pleasure center in the brain undergoes natural changes.

When it comes to food addiction it is still controversial…

You see the same changes happening when a person eats hyperpalatable foods.

Find healthy eating bland or boring?

Your taste buds may need to be reset as a result of hyperpalatable foods.

Hyperpalatable foods are processed foods which are now easily and readily available everywhere.

Thanks to the power of our almighty food industry…

Over the years the food industry has changed dramatically.

And majority of foods produced in the United States are intentionally engineered.

Foods are manufactured in such a way as they surpass the reward properties of traditional foods.

Vegetables, fruits, and nuts just don’t cut it anymore…

Food chemists have engineered the ultimate food solution.

Simply by filling foods on the market with increased levels of fat, sugar, flavors and food additives.

In fact, food addiction is still not recognised as an eating disorder.

They means it can’t easily be diagnosed in clinical treatments…

However, a rapidly growing body of scientific research suggests otherwise.

And food addiction can actually exist.

Recent study of young American adult women found approximately 35% displayed addictive-like eating tendencies.

Certain foods and eating patterns can prompt behaviours…

And brain responses similar to those seen in drug addiction like cigarettes and alcohol.

These addictive-like eating behaviours could be contributing to overeating.

And as a result obesity in so many individuals.

Could it be an important piece of the obesity puzzle…

Is it food addiction, emotional eating or overeating…

Food addiction is commonly characterised using the Yale Food Addiction quiz.

The criteria used for substance addiction such as tolerance and withdrawal.

They’re comparing this to eating behaviours…

This interpretation of food addiction shares many similarities with above criteria.

It’s also being used to diagnose binge eating disorder.

Identifying loss of control and intense craving for specific foods.

So how can food addiction be set apart from other types of overeating…

Studies show there is around 50% overlap between individuals who display addictive-like eating behaviours.

And those who meet the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder.

These can also occur independently.

A more recent study revealed overeating should be viewed across a continuum.

Ranging from non-problematic occasional overeating to most severe and compulsive forms.

The most severe, which can be harmful to health and social life.

Is food addiction similar to drinking coffee, alcohol, tobacco or taking drugs…

It can be seen in the same spectrum with most severe drinkers labelled as alcoholics.

Food addiction may be better understood in the same way.

Representing the more severe subtypes of overeating.

The devastatingly powerful combination and affects of salt, fat and sugar…

In many human studies aimed at identifying foods associated with addictive-like eating.

The types of foods we typically self-identify as addictive are processed “junk” foods.

The foods which are engineered to be high in fat, sugar and salt.

For example in animal studies…

Using lab rats which are fed a healthy diet…

The lab rats do not show same addictive-like changes in the brain as rats fed highly palatable foods.

This suggests certain properties or ingredients may make specific foods more capable of triggering addictive-like responses.

The ingredients added to palatable foods may have properties which influence and trigger changes.

This includes a number of physiological factors.

Dopamine and hormones responsible for regulating appetite…

In simple terms very easy to eat foods because they taste so good.

And neurotransmitters in the brain produce “feel-good” chemicals.

The effects of highly processed foods mirrors those of other addictive substances.

More “engineered” or refined rapidly absorbed substances increase the rewards of addictive substances.

This is also not surprising from an evolutionary point of view…

Because potency of the rewarding ingredients is far greater in processed foods.

Much more than in naturally occurring foods.

A recent Australian survey found people with addictive-like eating tendencies…

They ate significantly higher intakesof high-kilojoule and packaged foods.

A study from the United States showed addition of rewarding ingredients such as fats and sugar…

As well as the level of processing increases addictive properties of food.

What if you think about what actually triggers an addictive eating episode…

It is difficult to separate food from the actual act of eating.

It is therefore likely both are rewarding characteristics.

The food as well as problematic eating behaviours play a role in addictive-like eating episodes.

And the increasing abundance of convenience foods in today’s food environment.

This relates to engineered or manufactured foods…

All these types of foods are easily accessible and heavily marketed.

And could be problematic for people with addictive-like eating behaviors.

Treating and targeting food addiction needs to be better understood.

In coming years, rigorous research is needed to better understand what food addiction means.

And how it can be identified and potentially treated…

Such a strategy could inform the development of better weight-loss treatments.

And more effective ways to target addictive-like foods or behaviours in certain individuals.

In addition, understanding underlying triggers (mechanisms) for addictive-like behaviours…

Could help identify new drug targets to treat obesity in some individuals.

This type of research may also inform better public health policy…

And environmental changes to help people make more informed decisions about their food.

This can decrease triggers of addictive-like eating in many individuals.

Eating an overabundance of these hyperpalatable foods causes a surplus of dopamine.

The brain chemical which makes you feel a sense of pleasure to flow is overwhelming.

This is the very same reaction which happens when a person indulges in drinking or using drugs.

The brain can’t handle excess of pleasure for a long period of time.

And it causes the body to decrease total number of dopamine receptors.

The only way to feel pleasure is when dopamine bonds with its receptor.

The result is a decrease in receptors because your own perception of pleasure has decreased.

This causes you to want more of the drug, alcohol or sugar, fat and salt.

And for so many women this is how food addiction begins…

And if food addiction runs in your family genes.

The chances of becoming addicted to food are significantly higher.

Are you constantly obsessing about food or your body image and weight?

If so, maybe you are ready to declare freedom from food addiction!

Click here if you relate to these types of behaviours or have any concerns about your eating habits…

Food Addiction

The secret after dieting for 34 years…

The unique insights have helped tens of thousands of people.

Thanks for taking the simple quiz.

We asked you to answer 3 questions…

Okay “What do you think is your biggest obstacle to weight loss?”

The most common responses are five:

1. Unable to maintain results
2. Unable to fit a diet plan into lifestyle
3. Feeling deprived of favourite foods and drinks
4. Lack of support from family and friends
5. Unable to stay motivated

The results revealed are based on over 25%…

People think their greatest obstacle to weight loss is motivation.

14% say they struggle to achieve their goal. Why?

Because they feel deprived of their favourite food and drink.

Just 1% say their inability to lose weight and achieve their goal…

Because they are unable to fit exercise and dietary plans into their lifestyle.

Motivation is the number one perceived obstacle to weight loss. 

How to leverage motivation to lose weight fast in 3 steps…

Weight loss is simply how to breakthrough dietary habits.

But are you waiting for the perfect time to lose weight?

Do you want awesome results as quickly as possible?

Many people think they have to be perfect...

They get trapped in finding the exact diet or weight loss program.

They avoid simple choices, tasks and goals that get results.

They wait until a specific time or set of conditions feels perfect...

We may plan to start a diet on a Monday or first of the month.

Moreover it may be the first of the new year.

But the truth, there is never a perfect time...

The most important is the health transformation within you.

First, your body returns to it’s youthful vigour.

Then life is filled with joyful emotions and excitement again…

Honestly, all of this cannot be expressed in words!

But I want you to know fun with consistency is where it’s at.

We can accomplish simple goals in a fun, enjoyable way…

The only stumbling block is what?

One of the biggest reasons diets fail is because they’re too restrictive.

The most successful people think and plan long term.

They approach their nutrition and weight loss with excitement.

And always find ways to have fun and enjoy their favorite foods.

Yes, it is true…

Fewer restrictions means fastest results.

And makes your daily life a lot more exhilarating. 

You got it?

I think you do 🙂

test gut health

Why Do People Struggle With Diets and Exercise When We KNOW It Gets Results?

Because of our mindset; mental state of being, attitude and action…

Particularly in relationship to food choices, nutrition and weight loss.

This can be extremely personal, confronting and challenging, right?

In small or significant way, we want a noticeable difference in our lives.

weight loss

But there is resistance with long-held belief and behavior…

Absolutely, for most of us it can indeed be very difficult.

What if…change actually works for us?

And makes the whole transition simple, enjoyable and much more fulfilling?

The steps to change often means understanding.

Change depends on our level of awareness and readiness.

There are 5 stages and 7 elements of behavioural change…

Let’s take a moment to step back.

And examine our own feelings about change.

Then we can review the following Five Stages of Change.

This helps to identify which stage closely resembles current situation.

Stages of Change…

Stages of Change

Often it isn’t we can’t see the solution…

It is because we can’t see the problem.

Pre-contemplation is a period in which people are not yet clear.

They’re not committed to action in a reasonable time-frame.

Do you know it will happen or it can happen?

Many people may be in pre-contemplation stage in their lives.

And they’re unsure of the result or outcome in their behaviour.

This goes back to previous attempts of change which failed.

And that’s why so many people feel trapped or incapable of change.

Contemplation is the stage where we plan to make a change possible.

People in contemplation stage consider all benefit and cost of change.

And are aware of possible outcomes with consequences of their actions.

Furthermore this stage may last for an extended period of time…

Contemplation means we may not to be ready to firmly commit to change.

Preparation is the phase in which we commit to taking action.

Clearly within a time frame, for example, next week or month.

In the preparation stage…

Usually we have a plan of action to follow and guide us.

And are taking significant steps to make the plan of action reality.

Action is period in which we’ve made visible alterations to behavior.

At this point…

Modifications are significant enough to have impact on overall health.

The post-action stage actually consist of three different elements…

Continuing to move forward and actively working to stop relapse.

As time passes…

We become more confident that we can continue to change.

Relapse is a form of regression, which we re-enter earlier stage of change.

Even though we have reached the point of taking action…

Determination is the behavior modification which has been completed.

And you no longer need to actively seek to change.

stages of change

If you consider the different stages outlined above…

Can you clearly see and identify what stage of change are you in?

Why isn’t change easy?

Because outline of goal is too vague or broad, which sets up failure.

What if there’s no way to measure?

You don’t know if you’re achieving the goal, right?

How often have you or a friend said…

“I will start eating right” or “I’m going to get fit” and never actually do it?

The key to a result you desire is to set clear and specific goals…

Set a goal which is realistic and specific.

It is measurable, action-focused and time-based.

For example…

Instead of saying “I will get fit,” set a waist line or dress size goal.

weight loss

Be specific, “I will reduce my waist line by 3 inches, 8cm in six months.”

Active planning is a major part of goal setting.

And key to a starting point for a result towards meaningful change.

stages of change

Recent studies reveal that habit change is the key to transformation and change.

Real joy in your lifestyle and your body.

And it’s not hard to see why.

You know habits are self-perpetuating.

They don’t require endless amounts of grit.

Nothing has to feel like a chore or start and stop…

Instead, habits become part of your daily life.

And empower you to effortlessly eat nutritionally dense foods.

Including doing workouts with successful thinking into your everyday life.

It shouldn’t feel like a battle.

You can happily call this your “win, win, win”.

Now, think about each step…

There are activities you need to complete to reach your goal.

Use a diary or calendar where you can write steps or activities down.

Schedule and record your exercise and food intake.

Eliminate foods which tempt you relapse to your previous behavior.

Most importantly, establish a solid support network.

It’s important to find guidance from a reputable nutritional expert…

Personal trainer or women’s health coach.

You need to trust them for specific focused nutritional advice.

And for safer and effective weight lose…

Including healthier ways to maintain enjoyable and better quality of life.

Thank you for reading…

Remember to SHARE with Friends.

And Feel Free to Ask Your Biggest Questions About Weight Loss.

This Is Personal and All About Enjoying Better Quality Of Life!

Why Nutrition Plays a Key Role In Fat Loss and Elevating Mood?

Why is nutrition important?

Eating the right foods with good nutrition is vital for good health and wellbeing…

Food provides energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins and minerals to live, grow and function properly.

We need a wide variety of different foods with high quality nutrition in order to provide the right amounts of nutrients to support normal levels of health and fat loss if that’s your goal.

Key hormones for fat Loss:

a. Insulin (nutrient transport) – stimulated by glucose (carbohydrates)
b. Ghrelin (hunger hormone) – regulated by healthy leptin levels
c. Testosterone (energy and labido) – stimulated by fat ingestion, quality rest and short duration exercise for more fat loss
d. Growth hormone (lean muscle growth) – stimulated by quality rest, healthy ghrelin levels
e. Leptin (fat burning) – stimulated by healthy levels of testosterone and insulin sensitivity (lower insulin levels)…

Can certain types of foods actually help you feel happy?

why nutrition is important

Can depression be offset when nutrition consists of healthy foods?

  1. Nutrition is the science that interprets interaction of nutrients and other substances in food (e.g. phytonutrients, anthocyanins, tannins, etc.) in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism.

In fact, certain foods are not just good for you physically; certain types of foods also helps enhance and improve mental as well as emotional states…

There are many causes of depression and of course, if you feel that depression is a problem you should consult a licensed medical professional to get proper medical advice.

One of the, if not the most important considerations when planning a healthy lifestyle is nutrition.

If you think about it, food is basic fuel for your body’s livelihood and substance, health and well being greatly depends on what you eat.

weight loss for women

Your physical state is highly affected by food, nutrition and what you eat, so it makes sense that your brain and emotional state is influenced as well.

The More Colorful The Plate – The Better the Mood

Remember – “The More Colorful the Plate, the Lower the Weight.” That statement and nutritional adage refers to getting rid of the burden of depression too.

While an unhealthy diet consisting of processed foods or sugar puts on weight, it apparently extends to how one feels or their emotional health.

You Are What You Eat

Evidently, you are what you eat and the more healthy the diet, the lower the incidences of mood swings or depressive episodes.

why nutrition is important

Studies and research show diets are not packed with certain vitamins or minerals not only accelerate ageing process, also cause shortages in mood-enhancing chemicals, such as serotonin.

The Key to Reducing Stress and Elevating Mood…

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter as well as a mood stabilizer and plays an important role in reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

The following short list of foods can help increase the amount of serotonin which is produced in the bloodstream…enhancing overall outlook and mood.

• One of the less-known types of serotonin-producing foods, fruits like pineapple, sour cherries, plums and bananas are all good foods to eat to improve one’s mood.

In addition, cherries contain melatonin, which is a natural sleep aid.

• Protein. Eating turkey, which contains tryptophan, increases the manufacture of
serotonin in the brain. In turn, the food promotes feelings that are more positive.

Other proteins aid in serotonin production include seafood, eggs, whey protein and beef.

Choose animal products that are not raised with hormones and grass fed or pasture raised products.

Another serotonin-boosting protein food is nuts.

Nuts boost the manufacture of selenium, which is found to be lacking in patients suffering from depression. Lean meats and legumes contain selenium too.

why nutrition is important

Because sugar-rich snacks can slow production of serotonin…

It is better to replace sugary or processed snacks with more natural foods and whole foods like nuts or fruits and lean protein.

Carbohydrates help to boost the level of serotonin and reduces depression. Cooking and recipes like pasta, whole grain bread and white potatoes to the menu.

Dairy products make people feel happier too. Try such dairy foods as cheese
and milk, each of which contain mood-boosting chemicals or produce an increase in serotonin.

Nutrients That Help Ward Off Depression

Beta Carotene is also helpful in relieving depression.

Some of the foods in this group include cantaloupe, carrots, broccoli, and apricots.

Vitamin C – rich foods are helpful in fighting depression too. These foods are made up of citrus  fruits, such as limes, oranges, and grapefruit.

Vitamin E – not only plays a role in immune system functioning but contributes to nerve health as well, ameliorating any episodes of depression.

Nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and wheat germ are all foods which contain vitamin E.

Change the Way You Eat and Increase Your Level of Activity

Reducing depression via nutrition means healthy mix of complex carbohydrates combined with fruits and vegetables which helps alleviate mood swings and depression in general.

Make sure to avoid most pre-packaged, processed snacks like chips, packaged cookies, best to remove them from your shelves and focus more on eating fresh produce and fish.

Once you start eating healthier, you will feel like you can exercise more, which can further elevate mood and stave off depression…

In fact, when you take part in an exercise activity like walking, jogging or running, your body produces more of the mood-enhancing hormones called endorphins.

In fact, after a while, your mood will improve just by eating healthier and exercising more.

Research shows this kind of healthy approach helps your body to function at normal levels with less dependency to take on mood-enhancing drugs or anti-depressants.

Supports behavioral changes to make healthy eating and regular exercise a daily practice.

Resources: 1 Felsing, NANCY E., J. A. Brasel, and D. M. Cooper. “Effect of low and high intensity exercise on circulating growth hormone in men.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 75.1 (1992): 157-162.2 Tjønna, Arnt Erik, et al. “Aerobic Interval Training Versus Continuous Moderate Exercise as a Treatment for the Metabolic Syndrome A Pilot Study.” Circulation 118.4 (2008): 346-354.13 Davis, et. al. Concurrent training enhances athletes’ strength, muscle endurance, and other measures. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. September 2008;22(5):1487-1502.4 Scott, et al. Misconceptions about aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2005;2:32-37.5Boudou, P., et al. “Absence of exercise-induced variations in adiponectin levels despite decreased abdominal adiposity and improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic men.” European Journal of Endocrinology 149.5 (2003): 421-424.6 Schuenke, et al. Effect of an acute period of resistance exercise on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption: Implications for body mass management European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2002;86:411-417.7 Scott, et al. Misconceptions about aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure.. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2005;2:32-37.8Bogdanis, G. C., et al. “Short-term high-intensity interval exercise training attenuates oxidative stress responses and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 61 (2013): 171-177.9Ottosson, Malin, et al. “Effects of Cortisol and Growth Hormone on Lipolysis in Human Adipose Tissue 1.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 85.2 (2000): 799-803.10 Pedersen, B. K., et al. “The metabolic role of IL-6 produced during exercise: is IL-6 an exercise factor?” Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 63.02 (2004): 263-267.11 Ahtiainen, Juha P., et al. “Heavy resistance exercise training and skeletal muscle androgen receptor expression in younger and older men.” Steroids 76.1 (2011): 183-192.12Trapp, E. G., et al. “The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on fat loss and fasting insulin levels of young women.” International journal of obesity 32.4 (2008): 684-691.13Edwards, Andrew M., et al. “Self-pacing in interval training: A teleoanticipatory approach.” Psychophysiology 48.1 (2011): 136-141.
14 Winter, Bernward, et al. “High impact running improves learning.” Neurobiology of learning and memory 87.4 (2007): 597-609.
15 Wisløff, Ulrik, et al. “Superior cardiovascular effect of aerobic interval training versus moderate continuous training in heart failure patients a randomized study.” Circulation 115.24 (2007): 3086-3094.16 Heyn, Patricia, Beatriz C. Abreu, and Kenneth J. Ottenbacher. “The effects of exercise training on elderly persons with cognitive impairment and dementia: a meta-analysis.” Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation 85.10 (2004): 1694-1704.17 Chwalbinska-Moneta, Jolanta, et al. “Threshold increases in plasma growth hormone in relation to plasma catecholamine and blood lactate concentrations during progressive exercise in endurance-trained athletes.” European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology 73.1-2 (1996): 117-120.18 Lee-Young, Robert S., et al. “Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is central to skeletal muscle metabolic regulation and enzymatic signaling during exercise in vivo.” American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 298.5 (2010): R1399-R1408.19 Pedersen, Bente Klarlund, et al. “Role of myokines in exercise and metabolism.” Journal of applied physiology 103.3 (2007): 1093-1098.20 Nielsen, Anders Rinnov, et al. “Expression of interleukin-15 in human skeletal muscle–effect of exercise and muscle fibre type composition.” The Journal of physiology 584.1 (2007): 305-312.

Why Is Nutrition Important

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