Here's the Skinny on Food Addiction

Food addiction: now that's a new one. This is not a made-up addiction; it is as serious as any other addiction we have heard of. Is it possible to get strung out on food? Yes! Obesity is one of the consequences of food addiction, and we all know that obesity gives rise to health problems such as heart attack, diabetes and even depression.

Why We Get Addicted to Junk Food

Why is it that so many people have fallen prey to the allure of junk food and not the healthy food products? Why is it that we cannot stop stuffing ourselves with food of high caloric intake? One reason: dopamine.

Dopamine is the brain chemical that affects our ability to feel pleasure and pain. When we engage in fun activities such as eating, drinking and even sex, dopamine is released in our brain, allowing us to derive great pleasure.

So, the answer to the question about our addiction to unhealthy food is: food with high fat and sugar content causes the release of the highest levels of dopamine. This is why junk food sticks in our memories; we are especially happy when we get to eat hamburgers and fried chicken and chocolate — not to mention a sweetened soda to wash it all down.

Get Free! – Be In Charge of Your Eating Habits

If you want to fight your food addiction, you will first have to admit you have a problem with food. It sounds like an easy, almost redundant step, but admission is always the first step to recovery. Then, you will need to know the challenges ahead for you.

Do you know that why binge-eaters are so easily tempted by food? Research by the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory shows that a large amount of dopamine is released when binge-eaters see and smell food. Physician Gene-Jack Wang and psychiatrist Nora Volkow of Brookhaven also learned that obese people are not able to find joy in the simple things, such as people watching a sunset, or enjoying getting a tan. This is due to the fact that they possess fewer dopamine receptors.

Food is their only comfort. This is how addicts spiral out of control: when everything else fails, they turn to the one thing they can count on for solace. In the context of food addiction, addicts become overweight as a result of unhealthy eating. Their growing waistline becomes a source of worry for them, although there is nothing much they can do about it. They develop a love-hate relationship with food. This is dangerous.

If you know you have a food addiction, take steps now to slowly bring yourself out of it.

How? Change Your Diet

You already know the damage you do to your body when you gobble up junk food. Make a conscious effort to gradually stop your habit of eating junk food. Instead, replace your meals with healthy ingredients such as apples, bananas, and cheese. These specific food types will help to produce more dopamine in your brain.

Also, forget extreme diets; they will also cause the dopamine level to decrease. Keep to a balanced meal of carbohydrates, protein and fat and you are right on track.

Get Off Your Butt and Work Out!

You may already know this: exercising releases the happy chemicals in your brain, and your dopamine level goes up exponentially immediately after a workout. This is one natural way to spike your dopamine level! Be sure to choose the exercises you are most fond of.

Why put yourself through further hardship if you hate running? Indulge in a sport or activity that you truly love. Consider embarking on fitness programs such as p90x. It is a highly effective program because the exercises are meant to confuse your muscles, and this helps to avoid sticking on a plateau. Tony Horton's P90x workout schedule is one that you can easily fit in, because it only requires an hour of your time every day.

Sit back and Relax to the Music

Do you know why everyone loves music? It is because dopamine is released whenever we listen to our favorite tracks. There are different genres of music, and you are bound to be a fan of one or more. Whenever possible, jump on the opportunity to listen to music — be it on your way to work or while exercising. You will find that music is an instant cure for mood swings!

If It Makes You Happy…

…do it! What are the activities that you absolutely love? Eating, however, is not the answer we are looking for in this context. I will admit; I have a weird obsession: I love reading product reviews. I get excited reading about the different products that I would like to lay my hands on. Recently, I was reading a Bowflex dumbbells review and decided that I've got to get a set for my self.

Churn out a list of your favorite activities and spread them out during the week. These activities will need to be healthy in nature — you mustn't need to draw your blinds or engage in them behind closed doors!

Slowly but surely you will be able to fight your addiction to food and become a truly happy person. If you still experience mood swings, you may have to work harder at overcoming your addiction.

Drugs to trigger and control the release of dopamine are not yet launched in the market. A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition however suggests that vitamin B6 and amino acids, l-tyrosine and l-tryptophan can help boost the dopamine and serotonin level in our brain. However, be careful not to become overly reliant on these supplements.

One last tip: begin to write a daily journal. Make a list of the activities you partook in for the day, and make a note about your emotional state. Do this for one month. This way, you can take stock and be mindful of any triggers that would cause you to turn to food for comfort.

Are you a food addict? Share your story.

Author's Bio

Through his blog, Wise-Buyers.com, Derek Carroll shares with his visitors not-to-be-missed bargains and recommended products, as well as loads of useful tips, reviews and articles.

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