![]() |
![]() |
Nutrition Information |
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
Unchaining Yourself from an Unhealthy Food Addiction
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from the consumers who jokingly surrender to their lack of will when it comes to eating something clearly unhealthy. However, scientific nutritional research has identified that something much more serious - much more dangerous - is often at work here. For many people, what they perceive as a harmless lack of willpower is actually an addiction an addiction to chemicals that the brain secretes in response to stimulation by certain foods, such as chocolate or cheese[i]. As dangerous as this addiction is, however, recent studies suggest that it is actually much more frightening than it first seems. According to one notable study, the human brain can release dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter linked with feelings enjoyment, when a person merely sees or smells certain foods[ii]. As such, people who may be sensibly avoiding foods that release serotonin and other chemicals (such as chocolate) may still be susceptible to a sight and smell-based addiction to unhealthy food. Understanding this complex problem begins with understanding the word addiction. Defining a clear-cut definition of addiction is in itself a challenge and a rather hotly debated pursuit at the moment. Still, there is enough unity among credible social and biological scientists to say that a person who is powerless to stop an action is addicted[iii]. When applying this rather grave concept to eating, it becomes starkly clear that choosing an extra slice of pizza or bar of chocolate may be the expression of a very serious addiction to unhealthy food. Remarkably, unlike how addictions to things like alcohol, drugs, and sexual activity viewed biological and psychological illnesses, addiction to eating is often ignored or, at the very least, diminished to be something that is based on willpower. The insulting advice of "just don't eat it if you don't want to get fat!" that some obese people actually hear from their doctors, relatives, or colleagues is one of the most common manifestations of this often well-meaning, but potentially harmful, ignorance. The bottom line fact - and one that more medical professionals are accepting based on scientific evidence - is that obesity and related eating disorders are often the results of an addiction they are a serious health condition that must be approached methodologically like other diseases[iv]. Understanding that food addiction is indeed a problem - a severe disease, in fact - is a fundamental key in addressing this unique health challenge. At the same time, the notion of "willpower" should be removed, in most cases, from the eating disorder vocabulary, and replaced with the word "addiction". This will make that extra piece of pizza or that third slice of chocolate cake be seen for what they often are: the means to satisfy a bonafide addiction. Once the "eating disorder as an addiction" paradigm is in place, then and only then can both unhealthy eaters and those supporting them take steps to solve the problem. While there are no overnight solutions, there are paths that eaters can take that head in the right direction: freedom from eating addiction. The first step on this path is to eat a complete and balanced source of nutrition. Taking this first step, like so much else associated with the addiction to unhealthy food, is easier said than done. Eating sensibly is unusually difficult in a time-starved culture and even more difficult when there are arrays of self-described nutritious dietary sources to choose from. Whether it is energy bars or fad diets, finding a simple, convenient, and practical source of balanced nutrition is hard to find. However, some exceptional products are garnering serious positive attention from scientific community. These products deliver complete protein in a vitamin enriched formula. Furthermore - and of critical value - is that these products contain no carbohydrates, no unsaturated fat, and few calories none of which are from fat. These products are helping people unchain themselves from food addictions, and reflect a trend towards nutritious and ethical nutritional supplement manufacturing. Of ultimate importance, however, is that these products return eating choice control back to where it must always remain: with conscious and empowered consumers, and not to some hidden and potentially destructive addiction. About Protica Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com. References [i] Source: "That's Why We Call it Junk Food". MSNBC. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3606198/ [ii] Source: "Food on the Brain". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/free_forbes/2005/0110/063.html [iii] Source: "Addiction". eHealth Connection. http://www.ehealthconnection.com/regions/ehealth/health_information/ 00036220.asp [iv] Source: "Obesity as a Disease". MPR News. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/03/29_bensonl_desease/ Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
Look For
MORE RESOURCES:
Take A Look At Short-Term Rental Regulations That Are Already In Effect Nantucket Current Maui transient vacation rental phaseout—more housing, fewer jobs University of Hawaii System Phasing out Maui short-term rentals would increase housing but hit economy, UHERO report says Hawaii Public Radio Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Hotel or rental for your summer trip? Know the pros and cons of each WCPO 9 Cincinnati Vrbo Just Released Its Top Vacation Homes for 2025—and We're Ready to Book Our Next Trip veranda.com The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance for 2025 U.S. News & World Report Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Judge strikes down South Lake Tahoe vacation rental limits San Francisco Chronicle Vacation rentals rebound on Anna Maria Island as tourism picks up after 2024 hurricanes Bay News 9 Stunning Dripping Springs oasis named a Vrbo top vacation rental of 2025 CultureMap Austin Phoenix firm involved in bidding war for vacation rental company The Business Journals Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy thederrick.com Capitalizing on the $147 Billion Vacation Rental Market GlobeNewswire Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy Goshen News This Ohio Airbnb tops travelers' wishlists with a nearly perfect rating. See inside The Columbus Dispatch Dune Vacation Rentals Domus Pacis - Vrbo's 2025 Vacation Rental of the Year in Seagrove Beach, FL 30A Yahoo Finance Vrbo reveals its 2025 vacation rentals of the year Short Term Rentals - News It's Not Your Imagination: Palm Coast Homes Used as Vacation Rentals Increase by 70% in 2 Years, to Over 500 FlaglerLive Vrbo Just Revealed Its Top 10 Vacation Rentals of 2025—And You Won’t Believe How Stunning They Are Reader's Digest Indian Rocks Beach to fight vacation rental lawsuit Tampa Bay Times Vrbo Reveals the 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year Yahoo Finance The 9 Most Remarkable Airbnb Treehouses You’ll Ever Stay At Outside Magazine Cocoa Beach hikes fees to operate vacation rentals Florida Today North County Report: More Vacation Rentals, More Problems Voice of San Diego Vacation Rentals Florida Trend Find out how to book a night at this glamping dome most 'wish-listed' by Airbnb users Kewanee Star Courier Palm Springs eases vacation rental rules in effort to aid Los Angeles area wildfire evacuees The Palm Springs Post San Diego needs more money to enforce vacation rentals so it’s raising licensing fees San Diego Union-Tribune Indian Rocks Beach votes to weaken vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Manatee County Commission votes to pursue regulation of short-term vacation rentals Sarasota Herald-Tribune Why Hawaii Vacation Rentals Plummeted To 52% Beat of Hawaii Gulf Shores Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Citing housing crisis, Santa Cruz County supervisors take aim at vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz AI-Powered Travel Trends and the Smart-Bot Tsunami: The Future of Personalized Vacation Rentals GlobeNewswire Flamingo hotel operator is now offering luxury vacation rentals complete with concierge service The Press Democrat Groups file suit against Gallatin County over vacation rental ban Missoula Current Ventura gives initial approval to new rules for short-term vacation rentals Ventura County Star Why rich Americans are ditching their fancy hotels on vacation Business Insider Capital One Travel Adds Vacation Rentals — And You Can Earn 5x Miles on Venture Cards Upgraded Points Pinellas commissioners reject controversial changes to short-term vacation rental rules ABC Action News Tampa Bay Newry’s Vacation Rental Ordinance to be discussed at public meeting Lewiston Sun Journal Hawaii County Council’s vacation rentals bill shelved Honolulu Star-Advertiser Beachfront Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Vacasa founder Breon launches new vacation rental startup Fairly Short Term Rentals - News Owner-Managed Vacation Rentals Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism I'm a full-time traveler. I use these 5 questions to spot red flags in any vacation rental listing. Business Insider |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
The Business Traveler's Diet Problem: Staying Fit When on the Run Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed by almost anyone with an Internet connection or a library card, the 21st century has picked up where the last one left off: one dominated by poor eating habits.The reason for this national dietary deficiency is not due to any single source or kind of nutrition misinformation. Fibromyalgia: How Simple Sugars Turned Fatigue into Energy Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia. The Tibetan and Chinese health Secret: If you read one health report a year, this should be it! It seems as if the health of America is failing. One million Americans will die of circulatory disease this year. Physical Health is Attainable Through Proper Nutrition and Exercise Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and adults. The invention of television, video games, and convenient appliances help to influence us to be sedentary. What You Should Know About I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a huge problem with our health care. How Can Fat Be Essential? How Can Fat Be Essential? By Garry Gamber � ���� Did you know that some fats are essential to the body?� Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food.� Perhaps you've heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Five Steps to a Healthier Heart Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables.Studies have shown that populations that eat large amounts of fruits and vegetables have half the cardiovascular disease rate of those that don't. WLS Patients Feeling Gassy & Bloated? Sugar Alcohol May Be To Blame Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had gastric bypass, in fact most patients fear sugar. The foremost fear isn't weight gain, it's dumping. Seasonings: Add More Than Just Flavor Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also add health to your meals. Herbs and spices contain phytochemicals which are natural health promoting substances and have been found to protect us against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Understanding Amino Acids and their Importance in Diet The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well known to nutritional scientists, and widely understood by the general population. Indeed, every bodily system is directly or indirectly supported by protein. Fasting & Enemas...For A Clean Body Detox A hundred years ago, life was very different here on earth. The air was cleaner and the earth was rich in nutrients. What You Need To Know About Inflammation Inflammation is not a disease.Inflammation is best described as a defense mechanism to limit tissue damage. Busting the Dairy Myth - The Truth About our Health and Dairy Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on a daily basis. Our huge consumption of dairy is due not only to the convenience it brings to cooking and the habit of cooking with and eating dairy for the majority of our lives but more alarmingly because of the mantra that we are fed by government and the dairy industry that it is beneficial to our health that somehow you need dairy to ensure you consume enough calcium to maintain strong and healthy bones. Safely Transitioning Off Meal Replacement Plans Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for decades. They have helped numerous people lose weight, and more importantly, they have helped people learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy eating choices. Blueberries: Healthy and Easy on the Tummy After WLS All of my life I believed the best way to eat blueberries was with a muffin wrapped around them. No way could plain off-the-bush berries taste good. The Role of Nutrition in Martial Arts, Police, Military Personnel For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played a prominent role in the life of many martial artists, police, and military personnel as a means of improving performance. Top athletes are always looking for an edge. A Diet Deficiency Today is a Clinical Event Tomorrow For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance in our lives, this statement makes all too much sense doesn't it?Today, six out of the top ten causes of death are diet related and chronic degenerative diseases afflict over 120 million Americans. Cancer has moved from the eighth leading cause of death to number two, even after Richard Nixon's "War on Cancer" spent thirty billion dollars attempting to find a cure. 3 Things You Want to Know About Cholesterol You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You would want to open the book and read part of it to get a better idea about what is going on, right?Well, judging a book by its cover is what happens when you look at LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decide that this is the only - or even the best indicator of heart disease.Worse yet, you are told you MUST lower your LDL cholesterol level. You Dont Have to be Wealthy to Eat Well: The Truth about Your Grocery Budget Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than conventional. In many cases, organic foods are priced higher. 4 Steps To Brain Health New studies bring to our attention that high levels of cholesterol might make the brain cells more prone to dementia. The heart and brain are connected to long term health - many things that heart patients do are good for all of us to keep our brain healthy, too. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2005 |