The world has been warned once again about food addiction and its devastating effects on our health and our society. It seems everyone has a story about an addict that came clean and changed his or her life for the better. There are so many food addiction rehabs and self-help groups to choose from. It’s easy to get lost in this crowd of people, so why not look into how food addiction affects you? That’s where this article comes in.
As you read along, you’ll understand that food addiction is based on emotional and physical dependency on certain foods. People use them as « medicines » or « tricks of the mind. » This explains why so many addicts fall under the influence of sugary, fatty, and starchy, sweet foods. Obesity rates among youngsters doubled between late 1980s and 1999. Keep in mind, this wasn’t back then in 1999.
Today, obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and all over the world. Some experts blame the fast food industry for the rise in American obesity. The food industry deceptively markets to children by using words like « healthy, » « low calorie, » and similar marketing ploys. These words lure us into thinking we can eat like this without consequences. In reality, many of us are addicted to sweet things. This explains why so many adults are overweight.
The food industry uses food coloring to make their products appear more appetizing. Some companies even go so far as to add chemicals to food to make it seem less fattening. Have you ever eaten a chocolate chip cookie that looked so good you just ate it? I bet you did. It’s called home economics. If it looks good, we eat it.
When we talk about food addiction, people want a solution. They want to overcome their cravings for sugary, sweet, or salty foods. They want to live a fuller life. Many people want to lose weight, but not everyone wants to do it the healthy way. The fastest and easiest way for someone with a food addiction to lose the weight is to substitute bad foods with good ones. For instance, instead of having a desert with cookies and a drink, a person could make a homemade pie with fresh fruit.
People who suffer from food addiction can eliminate their cravings for sugar and other refined carbohydrates by eating more vegetables and fruits. When people say they want to lose weight, they usually mean they want to lose a few pounds around their waist. Instead of running to the store for ice cream, some people are looking for healthier alternatives. Instead of a large soda with soda water, some people are replacing soda with water. With these changes, they can be on the road to a new, slimmer, thinner you!