Food Addictions are a very common challenge for many. This short video spells it out in simple terms. Not only will you gain a better understanding of what a food addiction is and how it works, but you will also understand the foundation of the solution.
How To Overcome Food Addictions
A phrase we hear quite often is “moderation is key”. This is usually said in reference to certain foods and other pleasures. While this may apply for other areas of life, it certainly does not apply for most addictions, including food. Using moderation as a means to escape the dietary pleasure trap is likely to end in failure. In other words, the statement ‘everything in moderation is healthy’, does not apply for things that are known to be unhealthy and addictive.
When treating alcoholics, or drug addicts, moderation of their alcohol intake or drug dose is never used for the simple reason that it just does not work. This strategy has never been successful in treating these addictions and it most certainly will not work for food addictions either. To use moderation for addicts, borders on torture because when you introduce the addictive substance, it stimulates the release of dopamine. Since dopamine is the ‘pleasure hormone’, giving just a little bit of the addictive substance truly does create a cycle of wanting more, more, and more. This is exactly how the addiction started, whether it was drugs, alcohol or food. You try a little, you find out that you like it, and then you end up wanting more and more. Then, before you know it you’re hooked.
To have a success rate of 100% in treating alcoholism, alcohol must be eliminated 100%. The same thing goes for drugs. With food, it’s not quite so simple, since you can’t quit food! Although, you absolutely can quit the addictive foods. Successful treatment entails reprogramming the person to not have any desire at all for the object of addiction. This can only come from a change in attitude which will not come about if you continue to take a little bit of what you are not supposed to. As with many aspects of optimal health, attitude is so very critical! In the case of food addiction and obesity, the objective is to eliminate the stimulating effects of heavily processed foods on the dopamine-secreting portion of the brain. This can only come from eliminating these foods completely from the diet.
This opens the door to retaining good health and attaining optimal weight by shifting the diet exclusively to a healthy one. This healthy diet is composed primarily of plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits along with nuts, seeds, grains, beans and others. Ideally, all animal products should be eliminated from the diet or, at the very least, consumption should be extremely limited. Although those animal products may not be part of the dietary trap, they have other adverse effects on health which are best avoided by eliminating them as well. By adopting such a diet and combining it with exercise and sufficient rest, weight management will come easy. It is estimated that if such a combination is used, one can look forward to losing a minimum of 1 to 2 pounds a week, on a consistent basis until you reach your optimal weight. It must be stressed that this loss of weight will occur as long as you follow a plant-based nutritional plan.
So, by incorporating these tips, you can indeed make great progress towards overcoming your food addiction. Get your mindset right and begin to take positive actions. Your body, and your mind, will thank you for your efforts.
