No I don’t think food is my problem…

“Shock Horror! Are You Saying I Might Be a Food Addict?”

We all have moments when we feel angry, stressed and vulnerable…

What exactly is food addiction?

It is similar to several other eating disorders.

Including binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating.

Food addiction is an unhealthy relationship with food…

What causes food addiction?

Consuming “highly palatable” foods which are emotionally comforting.

Manufactured foods are designed to be emotionally comfort foods.

The combination of high carbohydrates, fat, salt, sugar, artificial sweeteners!

They play a role in triggering pleasure centers of the brain…

And release “feel-good” chemicals dopamine and serotonin.

Yes, and the underlying issues are triggered by deep emotions.

Here’s a quick look at my own uninvited scary thoughts:

• I could only make love with lights off
• Sometimes anxiety doesn’t subside
• I’d eat to the point of feeling ill
• Constantly worry if I’m good enough
• Confused and often feel no motivation
• Overwhelmed by simplest of tasks
• Worrying if my depression is out of control
• Obsessed trying to be good wife, adult, parent
• Making sure everyone is cared for before me
• Scared to talk about how I really feel
• Don’t know who I am outside of being a mother
• Have rage which comes out of nowhere
• Don’t want to be judged
• Feels like I’m failing doing everything
• Don’t know how to let go of anger
• Feels like I can’t trust a single soul
• Almost always wear the same clothes
• Haven’t worn makeup in months
• Need to take care of myself but I feel guilty
• Feels like I’m drowning (literally gasping for air)
• I need support but won’t ask or accept it
• I put too much pressure on myself
• When I’m in a bad mood I binge eat alone
• Keep eating food even if I was no longer hungry
• I’d always crunch angrily on a big bag of chips

The truth is…

I’d always worry about not eating certain types of foods.

I’d also worry about cutting down on certain types of foods.

And it terrified me when certain foods weren’t available…

I would sneak out and go out of my way to get them.

Food addiction and binge eating are invisible, subtle and progressive.

What if food addiction is left untreated?

Being overweight could develop into disease as a result:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Fatty liver disease

And for me, the personal consequences took its toll.

I had to get help because my mental health was deteriorating.

I was genuinely scared and terrified I was going to lose my sanity.

What is food addiction?

Food is essential to survival and is an important aspect of wellness.

In addition, a means of pleasure and enjoyment.

Food addiction is also a preoccupation with food…

The person finds themselves chronically thinking about food.

Worried about it, planning around it, and obviously eating it.

In addition, a person with food addiction typically uses food to manage emotions.

Turning to food to manage negative emotions such as:

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Boredom
• Loneliness
• Frustration

Did you know certain foods can overtake and control a person?

To the point where they can be distracted from people in their lives.

And lose sight of their responsibilities.

Be more interested in thinking and talking about food than other topics.

People with food addiction may find themselves trapped…

And needing to eat more to get the same emotional effects.

They may also become obsessed.

Focused on food and planning to eat food.

Matter of fact with little of inconveniencing other people.

Because their need to eat is a priority…

It’s almost like a ritual to eat at certain times or at certain places.

People with food addictions may find themselves eating more often.

And needing to eat more food to get same emotional effects.

Certain foods can have bring comfort, numbing or negative effect.

And may even experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Headaches
• Irritability
• Loss of concentration

Especially when they cut out certain foods like refined sugar.

They will often describe craving food…

Having made repeated attempts to try and beat their addiction.

And not being able to succeed.

For people with a food addiction…

Food often starts as a reward.

Eat and then feel good.

And then can jump off the rails with food being used to avoid a bad feeling.

Eat so you won’t feel bad.

That’s when food tends to get “stuck” as something that feels like an addiction.

What’s the difference between food addiction or other types of addictions?

The key difference between food addiction…

And other types of addictions is that all of us have to eat.

When talking about other addictions like drugs and alcohol…

Remember a person can live without drugs and alcohol.

The goal in for most treatments of many addictions…

Particularly drugs and alcohol is typically abstinence.

Which is an impossible goal in food addiction.

In addition, other addictions, particularly drugs and alcohol…

And this might result in more physiological changes in the brain.

Causing dangerous withdrawal.

While food addiction can be harmful to health.

Namely unintentional weight gain…

Unintentional weight gain is a result of putting on weight.

All without increasing your consumption of food or liquid.

And without decreasing your activity.

This happens when you’re not trying to gain weight.

And the impact could be higher cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The daily and necessary nature of eating…

Makes managing these symptoms uniquely challenging.

And it has implications for how to manage food addiction.

What is the difference between food addiction and emotional eating?

Emotional eating is a pattern of regularly eating in response to emotions…

Typically negative or distressing emotions (e.g. sadness, frustration, anger).

Emotional eaters may not experience the same level of preoccupation.

Sometimes it’s really obvious someone has a food addiction…

Emotional eaters may not feel the same level of “high” from the foods.

And instead may claim the foods distracts or numbs them.

There is a great deal of overlap.

And in some ways emotional eating is a symptom of food addiction.

Although there emotional eaters who don’t experience same impact.

Or levels of preoccupation with rewards from food.

What are some signs/symptoms of food addiction?

Preoccupation with food…

Including planning your schedule largely around food.

Spending significant amounts of time thinking about or consuming food.

This time can be better spent in other activities which may decrease.

Needing to eat more and more over time to get the same emotional “fix.”

This can be needing to eat more to get same level of emotional numbing.

It could also be the same level of emotional reward.

Using food to manage emotions, both positive and negative emotions…

Using food as a way to manage negative emotions (sadness, anxiety, anger).

Using food as a distraction from states such as loneliness or boredom.

Food is also relied upon to celebrate…

And recall and show respect for good events or good feelings.

Relying and becoming distracted by food…

And food-related issues could make us feel less engaged in life.

Not as engaged with family, friends, partner, children or co-workers.

Just not participating in other aspects of life in the same way…

Experiencing a sense of “withdrawal” and/or distress.

When we can’t get our reward foods such as sugary or fatty foods.

Yes, this can manifest and impact us in many ways.

As in headache, irritability, poor concentration and feeling ill.

And the struggle only intensifies with multiple attempts…

That’s the reason why it’s important to address food eating patterns.

And not being able to succeed requires support…

Craving food in an intense manner to a degree that’s distracting.

Food addiction is a combination of a physical compulsion.

And mental obsession with food that drives you to eat against your will.

Food consumes your every waking thoughts and your dreams for that matter.

How can someone get help for food addiction?

Some people may find it useful to seek out group therapy.

Meet with other people who are struggling with similar issues.

This can build a sense of empathy and help people feel like they are less alone.

Reading about the issue and becoming informed is also useful.

Bear in mind food addiction can often have very deep emotional routes.

The first step is admitting there is a struggle and taking one step at a time.

Food addiction means these days I eat to a food plan…

Three weighed meals, no sugar, no flour.

Being exact in following my food plan is an act of spiritual surrender.

And it limits the decisions I have to make about what I eat everyday.

No, I don’t let myself get too hungry, angry, lonely, tired or stressed.

Click here to take the quiz and find out are your a food addict…

My goal here is to help in raising awareness of food addiction.

And helping fellow food addicts through binge eating coaching and counseling. 

Does gut health, intestinal bacteria drive obesity and metabolic disease?

Health, fitness and quality of lifestyle…what does this all mean to you?

You probably already know the answer…

The bacteria within your intestines are key to a good digestive health.

Is gut health key?

Do healthy bowels (intestines) plays a major role in overall health and detoxification?

Dear Friend,

Recent studies have shown bad bacteria causes inflammation in the gut, which causes metabolic abnormalities, people need to eat more and this develops insulin resistance.

Intestines neutralize and break down toxins ingested with foods (good intestinal bacteria)

Even if your goal is just to become aware with understanding the basics, it becomes very clear at least why gut health affects your overall health (both physical and mental)…

Gut health provides three crucial functions for normal health:

• Gut breaks food down to nutrients
• Gut facilitates absorption of nutrients into blood through intestinal walls
• Gut prevents foreign and toxic molecules from entering bloodstream

Studies have shown changes in gut flora can increase the rate at which you absorb fatty acids and carbohydrates.

And this includes how foods are stored in calories as fat…

Yes, it means a woman with bad gut flora could eat same amount of foods as a woman with a healthy gut, extract more calories and still gain more weight.

Bad gut flora can even directly contribute to metabolic syndrome by increasing production of insulin (leading to insulin resistance)…

And by causing inflammation of the hypothalamus (leading to leptin resistance).

You can choose to eat quality organic foods, make sure you have low exposure to toxins and work at being healthy with the most positive attitude…

Still if your gut health, which includes digestion, nutrient absorption and gut-detoxification are not functioning properly, your overall health deteriorates.

How many times have you heard…you are what you eat?

More accurate would be you are what you absorb and assimilate…

You see, over two-thirds of neurotransmitters are made in your gut.

Why is the gut your second brain?

Because the majority of serotonin (90-95 percent) is made in your gut…

What if your gut is inflamed or not functioning optimally?

Production of serotonin is significantly lowered and end result could be depression.

Bear in mind that an inflamed gut effects the brain which can mean increased risk of depression and dementia.

Do you think poor gut health may be the root cause of most of your current health problems?

Do you suffer from type 2 diabetes, weight gain or struggle to lose weight?

May be its insulin resistance and obesity?

What about poor digestion, food cravings, poor immune system?

One possible mechanism for how changes in the gut flora are linked to different species of bacteria which seem to have different effects on appetite and metabolism.

Candida, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue…the list is endless, right?

Point is this…your immune system revolves around the gut…

Poor gut health can mean different ailments with horrendous symptoms.

Poor gut health may be linked to symptoms like:

• IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
• Diffuse or localised abdominal pain (contractions, spasms, heartburn)
• Bloating and gas
• Changes in digestive transit, bouts of constipation or diarrhoea (or both alternately).

There are so many different factors and reasons which can have short term or long term effects which are condition related to the digestive system.

Some may not last long and could be symptomatic to other factors.

Some food types as such can result in constipation and diarrhoea.

You want to become aware when changes happen in terms of some are long lasting, life changing and need proper care with professional support to help manage the condition.

Conditions related to poor gut health can be:

• Acute Diarrhoea
• Allergies
• Bad breath
• Bloating
• Candida
• Changes in brain function
• Coeliac Disease
• Constipation
• Crohn’s Disease
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue (chronic fatigue syndrome)
• Fibromyalgia
• Food intolerances (sensitivity to grains and dairy)
• Foul smelling excretion
• Headaches
• Gallstones
• Haemorrhoids (piles)
• Heartburn (acid reflux)
• Indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Skin problems (rashes)
• Ulcerative Colitis

Digested food should take between 24-36 hours from eating to elimination.

What causes gut health problems?

There are hormones and lots of other factors which can play their part in your gut health.

Non-steroidal or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen relieve pain and inflammation by actually blocking an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase.

The problem is cyclo-oxygenase enzyme performs important functions in protecting the stomach from corrosive effects from its own acid…

And is responsible for strengthening the activity of immune system.

Poor gut heath or a malfunctioning gut can cause intestinal inflammation, damaging the lining of intestine causing intestinal permeability.

This process can turn on an autoimmune response in the body…

Research shows women with long term or chronic use of NSAIDs, 65% develop intestinal inflammation and up to 30% develop ulcers.

Frequent use of antibiotics may decrease beneficial, protective gut bacteria (good flora).

Gut health is your body’s first line of natural defense, yet frequent or over use of antibiotics may be damaging your gut’s lining.

And without regular tests and monitoring (or own healthy intervention), your body’s unique diversity of trillions of beneficial bacteria won’t automatically be recovered after it’s lost.

Chronic and persistent stress levels weaken your immune system’s response to infection.

Your brain and intestines are controlled by many of the same crucial hormones (which is why gut is referred to as second brain).

This connection is referred to as the gut-brain axis…

Communications between gut-microbiota and gut-brain axis in stress response.

Overuse of alcohol has a negative impact on just about every system in your body.

Alcohol can irritate liver, stomach and intestines and suppress hormones which protect against inflammation which may contribute to leaky gut syndrome.

Research on grains and the negative impacts of gluten is well documented now…

Gluten-free grains have an abundance of amylose sugars, which may cause inflammation.

The anti-nutrients in gluten-free grains (lectins and phytates) bind to intestines and make nutrients inactive in the body,

Grains may cause a wide variety of inflammation with low grade damage to gut and health.

Different combinations of macronutrients in different ratios can have dramatic effects.

Bottom line: Your body needs carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water for nutrition, healing and to build, restore, repair body tissues and structures. 

How to repair and restore gut health…

It’s difficult to be told you must avoid all the bad foods…

Your goal (if possible) is to become aware of what negatively affects GI tract such as inflammatory foods, infections and gastric irritants like alcohol, caffeine or medication.

Inflammatory foods: gluten, dairy, corn, soy and sugar may lead to food sensitivities.

Infections may be a result from parasites, yeast or bacteria.

Some parasites like Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp can cause disease directly, while other organisms can cause disease by the toxins that they produce. 

To get to bottom of the cause (no pun intended) comprehensive stool analysis is key to determining the levels of good bacteria as well as any infections that may be present.

Removing infections may require treatment with herbs, anti-parasite medication, anti-fungal medication or even antibiotics.

Is it as easy and straight forward as replacing “bad” foods with “good” foods?

You’d need to know which foods are beneficial to your overall gut health, right?

You’d need to be able to identify which macronutrients have been depleted by medication (anti-acid medications), diseases or aging…

And be able to add back essential ingredients for proper digestion and correct absorption in order to restore an optimal level of good gut bacteria with correct digestive enzymes.

Probiotics and l-glutamine require proper digestion…

Consuming foods high in soluble fiber is also very important.

Other key nutrients include zinc, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin A, C and E…

Your gut is home to approximately:100,000,000,000,000 (100 trillion) microorganisms.

Your gut contains 10 times more bacteria than all cells in your entire body which includes over 400 known diverse bacterial species.

Organisms living in your gut determines how your body stores food you eat, how easy or difficult it is to lose weight and how effective is your metabolism functions…

If you’d I’d like to go into more detail on gut health, feel free to check out other articles…

Gut Health

Is it a Case of Mind Over Matter to Win the Mental Game of Stubborn Fat Loss?

We all understand the far reaching benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise, right?

Did you know as women our hormones play a key role in every aspect of our lives?

Dear Friend,

Allow me to start by being totally up front and saying I’m NOT an endocrinologist and I do NOT claim to be an expert…

You do NOT necessary have to become one either.

But the truth is unless you address your hormones in context to your nutritional plan as a key factor in weight loss, you’re most likely going to continue to gain weight and struggle.

Many so called experts don’t really cover the basics and true importance of your body’s chemical makeup on how and why hormones produce fat.

And how hormones influences how much fat your body burns and stores.

The goal is to keep this as simple as possible while providing you with sound research.

Why does it all start with hormones?

Hormones don’t often get talked about, yet are vitally important.

You see, whatever body type you are it comes down to much more than just how much and what you eat or exercise.

Hormones and body muscle content play a very big role in your ability to stay lean and healthy (not talking about becoming a body builder)…

So understanding how hormones work for or against you means you can only get better control over your waistline if you know what is happening, even if it is at a very basic level.

Hormones are the driving force behind the body you see in your mirror.

If your body produces the right hormones, your body thrives.

If not, your body suffers…

There is a BIG reason why America is approaching 70% overweight.

The signals women send their body through food they eat and exercise they do is detrimental…

And yes the results do show what’s happening.

If you want to transform your body, it starts with your hormones.

And that doesn’t mean via supplementation.

You see, the best and most effective way is through living a healthy lifestyle, eating the right foods and exercising consistently.

As Weight Loss Coach, I’m often asked about hormones and how they affect us?

Hormones are a complex topic, hopefully this short article explains it all in a really simple, easy to understand way…

Hormones affect the way we feeling during adolescence and continue to play a key role throughout our lives.

Hormones affect your metabolism, stress levels and reproductive system.

There are many hormones which influence your own health.

So how do these hormones affect your overall health…

A major hormone which is influenced by what you eat is called insulin.

Insulin is one of the biggest influences for many health areas.

Insulin is a hormone which is secreted by the pancreas after you eat carbohydrates.

When you eat carbohydrates, the sugars are absorbed into bloodstream, naturally causing your blood glucose levels to rise.

The pancreas secretes insulin in order to help your body process blood glucose.

Insulin helps to move glucose from blood into cells of your body so cells can use glucose for energy…

When you eat food, in particularly carbohydrates, your body releases insulin to lower the increase in blood sugar right?

You can never lose fat in the presence of insulin.

When you eat protein with carbohydrates, it slows the sharp release of insulin so you never have a spike of insulin. Try to always include some protein with every meal…

Insulin also helps to change any excess glucose your body does not immediately need into a stable form of energy called glycogen.

Glycogen is produced in the liver…

Leptin and ghrelin are hormones which tell you when to eat and when to stop eating.

Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and pancreas…

Ghrenlin alerts your brain when your stomach is empty.

Leptin is secreted by fat cells and triggers appetite suppressing hormones when you’ve eaten enough.

Both hormones are affected by sugar…

In other words, how much sugar you eat.

Eat too much sugar and the result can mean reduced leptin production, which leaves ghrelin to send out unnecessary hunger signals (pangs and cravings).

Cortisol is a stress hormone which is released from the brain into your bloodstream.

Now, in times of stress and anxiety, cortisol licks in to help accelerate your heartbeat, feeds your brain extra oxygen and releases energy from your fat and glucose stores.

Your mood and memory are partly controlled by serotonin…

Serotonin is often produced in the gut.

Serotonin is commonly known as the feel-good hormone or neurotransmitter.

Female sex hormones…

The most important hormones made by the ovaries are known as female sex hormones and the two main ones are oestrogen and progesterone.

The ovaries produce both testosterone and estrogen…

Women’s ovaries produce a minimal amount of testosterone, which drives sexual desire, muscle strength, bone density and metabolism.

Relatively small quantities of testosterone are released into your bloodstream by the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Too little testosterone can affect a woman’s energy level, libido and mood health.

Too much testosterone in women can contribute to acne and facial hair.

Oestrogen and progesterone are female sex hormones produced in the ovaries.

Oestrogen is primarily a female sex hormone…

Oestrogen enlarges breasts, widens pelvis and oestrogen is what gives women the curvy appearance.

Oestrogen stimulates a female’s instinct, increases alertness, lowers body fat levels, increases insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance.

Symptoms of low oestrogen can occur at any age, more prominent in menopause.

Progesterone increases sleepiness, helps to build and maintain bones, slows digestive process, promotes appetite and helps breast tissue mature.

Progesterone stimulates production of breast milk during pregnancy.

Symptoms of low progesterone include premenstrual migraines, irregular or heavy periods and anxiety…

Hormones from PMS to menopause these are messengers of womanhood which can affect your mood, weight, food cravings and even your desire for sex.

Some women experience normal “smooth sailing” and other women metabolize hormones differently…it just might feel like a roller coaster ride at every turn of the hormonal bend…

Eat fresh, nutritionally dense foods as often as possible.

If you can, avoid food from a box or bag; especially any ingredient you can’t pronounce.

Keep ingredient lists to fewer than five recognizable ingredients and you’ll experience fat loss with fewer cravings because your body is properly nourished.

Generally white or bleached carbohydrates have a high glycemic index.

Essentially it means food is broken down quickly and your blood sugar will spike.

This results in a dump of insulin…

And as you remember, you can’t lose fat in the presence of insulin.

So do yourself a favor and eat low glycemic complex carbohydrates and you avoid the roller coaster of peaks and valleys in blood sugar.

You won’t feel crazy hungry an hour after eating…

You’ll stay full longer and it’s easier to make healthy choices if you don’t feel starved or deprived.

Fat Loss for Females