My Brain Food Addiction. Studies suggest that someone who continues to fail in their weight-loss attempts may in fact be suffering from a food addiction. They do not have a general lack of willpower around food, but are battling a disease, an addiction just like cocaine, heroin, or alcohol. So maybe we need to think again about how to overcome and treat obesity and being overweight in society.
On this page we will explain how Food Addiction has become such an issue, and also we will share with you a few tips to help you reverse any addictive tendencies you may be experiencing.
Food Addiction
Research seems to indicate that the issue of food addiction doesn’t just affect those who are overweight, or obese. It is thought that people of normal, healthy weight could, in the same way, also be addicted to food. Scientists believe that those who are not overweight, are just genetically programmed to better handle any excess calories they consume. But, as yet, research isn’t conclusive.
Like addictive drugs, foods high in sugars and carbohydrates ensure the brain releases an elevated level of dopamine, which produces a feeling of pleasure. This scenario is not restricted to just carbohydrate-rich foods. Sugar, fat and salt (SFS) are definitely on the top tier of addictive substances that we consume.
Are You Addicted to Food
When we mix together Sugar, Fat and Salt, in the right proportions, this can create enormous levels of cravings. A classic example is the relatively new concoction developed by the food industry, which is almost guaranteed to hook us. We are talking about salted caramel chocolate. They recently launched Salted Caramel Baileys!!!
My brain Food Addiction
By carefully mixing the three most addictive substances together they effortlessly deliver a ‘tsunami’ to the neuron receptors in your brain. Within seconds of the chemical combination arriving in your brain, you hand over control of your eating to a higher level. These three substances, when combined, are as addictive as cocaine, or heroin. They are, legal and easier to purchase. Consequently, you do not need to find a dealer, and you can relax as the government, via taxes, is taking a cut at every level.
It is known that the consumption of junk food and the resulting cravings often lead to the development of a full-blown addiction. Experts believe that this is because highly processed foods trigger the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs. You may also like to read our page, which summarises the Michael Mosley, Channel 4 TV documentary: “Who Made Britain Fat?”
Food Scientists call it The Bliss point.
Adding SFS to food is excellent news to the food industry. These ingredients are guaranteed to drive over-consumption. Additionally, they’re cheap and readily available. So, it maximises their profit margins! The fact that their shelf life is almost off the scale, is an additional bonus. The food scientists are constantly searching for what we refer to as the ‘bliss point’.
Bliss Point or Blissy Food.
So, an example of a “blissy food” is pizza. Food scientists have spent years experimenting with the chemical structure of the SFS to enhance their “mouth feel” – the warm, melt-in-the-mouth sensation you get when you bite into your favourite, cheese-stuffed pizza. The entire experience is engineered to hook you. And it will; Pizza, of course, consists almost entirely of sugar, fat and salt. Read more information on Empower Health website.
Is Food Addiction a Thing?
All addictions are the result of you experiencing a big surge, followed by a slump in the production of the ‘reward’ neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the brain. More specifically, increased levels of dopamine create more pleasure and pleasure seeking addiction. In less than half a second, sugar consumption can trigger blood sugar surges that release dopamine.
However, when they are over stimulated, gradually the receptors in the brain become desensitised, so less dopamine is released. So, over time, just like what happens to a drug addict, those addicted to food will need to consume ever increasing quantities, in order to achieve the same ‘high’.
Not All Foods Are Addictive
Many people ask if all food groups are addictive, and the researchers are still working on the definitive answer to that question. It is true, however, that over consumption, especially of sugar, fat and salt, is the fastest route to addiction. Experts believe this is a result of the release of dopamine in the brain.
Chocolate contains natural chemicals like encephalin, and the opioid receptors triggered when eating chocolate are similar to those activated by morphine. This explains why some people find it hard, if not impossible, to stop, after eating just one square of chocolate. It’s all about brain food addiction!
Try Celery and Spinach
There are, of course, some foods that are more addictive than others, but research shows that the opposite can also be true. Celery and spinach are two examples of healthy foods, along with salads, that experts believe are non-addictive.
My Brain Food Addiction
Hunger is triggered in the brain by hormonal signals from ghrelin and leptin, among others. It surprises many people that it has absolutely nothing to do with sensations in the stomach. It is a fact that many people eat when they are not happy, feeling alone, or maybe just under the weather. True hunger pangs are seldom experienced.
It is a fact that in the majority of circumstances people have absolutely no idea exactly why they are eating. They may have just had a large dinner, maybe they have had to loosen their belt afterwards. And then someone asks them if they would like a piece of chocolate cake with ice-cream for dessert. As if by magic, and not knowing why, they say yes! It really comes down to dopamine levels in the brain and their subconscious answering this question for them.
There is good news for the overweight; genes can explain why they overeat. It may not be entirely their fault. They just have an overall weakness around food. So, they experience elevated cravings and feelings of discomfort when deprived of certain foods. But, just as traditional drug addicts can take control of their responses to stimuli, so can food addicts. It can be reversed, with a little concentration.
My Brain Food Addiction
Certain people experience an elevated level of craving for certain foods, leading them to feeling depressed when they cannot consume their food of choice. Some people visit the shops on the way home from work. The stock up on chocolate for example, then sit in their car and consume it all ahead of arriving home, ensuring that they get rid of any wrappers etc to hide their shame.
Stubborn dieters have reported following the identical actions of seasoned alcoholics by purchasing and then hiding food in different locations around the house for future use.
People may feel they can’t stop eating and that their food consumption is out of control. Often they will be aware that they need to take action to reverse the level of obesity and control other health-related issues. Many overweight people who become aware that they have an addiction problem feel overwhelmed that it is out of their control.
Seek Help
If you suffer from food addiction, like other addictions, with some effort, you can overcome it. Just like with alcoholism, the first step is to admit, and face up to the issue that you are addicted. Share the news with close family, and then they can help you. If you are overweight, sign up to a recognised weight-loss programme, one that will give you the support you require. If you invest the time and effort, you can reverse your addiction.
One of the first steps to recovery will be figuring out the triggers for your addiction and understanding what initiates your unwanted behaviour around food. Then you can make sure you avoid them. Seek help, because you need to understand the tools required to go about reversing, or recovering from the addiction.
My Brain Food Addiction
You may find that for a temporary period you will need to reduce the amount of time you spend with certain friends. Some of them are what we refer to as ‘diet terrorists’. They will lead you down the wrong path, maybe without even being aware of their actions.
Brain Food Addiction
Going forward, you will benefit by adopting a more healthy diet. You should slowly reduce your consumption of processed and high carbohydrate foods. Try to incorporate a healthier diet by increasing the quantity of protein and green vegetables you consume. As a result, you will feel better and fuller on much less food. You maybe interested to read our new page. The Diet Tips That Don’t Work
Food addiction, can be controlled, and even reversed; it just requires effort and commitment.
View our Weight Loss to Wellness page here.
FAQ 1 Are all overweight people food addicts?
ANSWER Not necessarily, but obesity or being overweight is a strong indicator of food addiction. If you know that your excess eating is having a departmental effect on your health and is worrying your family, but you continue to over indulge, you are probably addicted and should seek help.
FAQ 2 How do I know if I am an addict?
ANSWER If you eat when you are tired, depressed, sad, lonely, or bored, but seldom because you are actually physically hungry, then this is an indicator of addiction. Next time you reach for something to snack on in between your meals, stop and ask yourself: Why Am I Eating This?
FAQ 3 What foods should I restrict to help reverse my addiction.
ANSWER Any food can play a part in fueling your addiction. However as said earlier, the combination of sugar, fat and salt, particularly in highly processed foods are possibly the worst offenders!
Our Psychology-Focused Weight Loss Treatment
– Permanent Weight Loss –
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During the twelve sessions that make up the Award Winning My Weigh Less Course we will share with you a number of psychology-focused, unique, weight-loss interventions that you can start to use immediately. The medically endorsed treatment is based around 15,000 1:1 clinical hours, working with over a thousand individuals. My Weigh Less delivers a permanent solution. Below we re-confirm three tips for dieters that everyone should be following.
A few tips to get you started.
Tip No. 1 – Drink a Glass or Two of Water Before Your Meal!
Reduce Your Calorie Intake by over 20%, with almost with no effort! Research results, published by Harvard Medical showed that people who drank two large glasses of water, just before eating, consumed, on average, around 20% less food than previously. This is possibly as a result of the stretching and fullness sensation in the stomach.
Tip No. 2 – Eat Your Favourite Foods on the Plate First!
You may not be aware of how important this tip is, but the order in which you eat your food can actually have a big impact on how much you consume! It’s quite common for overweight people to “save the best til last” when eating. In other words they only eat their favourite food right at the end. It’s not so surprising then, that they also tend to eat everything on their plate, regardless of how uncomfortably full they feel. Because, of course, they don’t want to miss out on the “best bit”!
However, our advice is to eat your favourite things first. Not only will you enjoy it more, but it’s also much easier to stop when you’ve eaten just the right amount and leave the rest on the plate.
Tip No. 3 – Eat Slowly and Mindfully!
A growing number of studies have consistently found a correlation between speed of eating and weight, so it is officially accepted now that faster eaters are definitely more likely to become overweight. Studies have also shown that people are much more likely to eat more when their eating is mindless, as opposed to mindful. So, make meal times an occasion by sitting down at a table, with no distractions. Then eat slowly and savour every mouthful. You will naturally eat less food and also find it easier to lose weight as a result!
A Permanent Solution to Weight Loss
Are you tired of trying an endless list of diets that just don’t work? Are you becoming weary of your efforts, always resulting in you regaining all the lost weight? Has your approach to dieting made you fear social events?
Are you looking for a medically endorsed solution; one based on thousands of hours of experience? Do you dream of finding a ‘Permanent Weight-Loss’ treatment? Have you searched on Google in the hope of finding a proven programme? Maybe something that doesn’t involve following a restrictive diet, doing lots of exercise, or having invasive surgery… And no need to buy any “Meal Replacement” products!
My Weigh Less Downloadable Course
Read on the pages of this website how Oxford Therapeutics Limited – ‘My Weigh Less’ is successfully delivering what is ‘Utopia’ to dieters. A medically endorsed, proven weight-loss approach. A programme based on over 15,000 1:1 clinical treatment hours.
You can download a free MP3 introduction right now. No email or credit card details required, just a few minutes of your time. Find out how My Weigh Less can help you reach your weight-loss goals and discover long-term weight management!
Martin and Marion Shirran, the developers and joint Clinical Directors, appeared on both the Good Morning America and the This Morning Breakfast Show. Kay Lindley, photo below, lost over 105 pounds, and reversed her type 2 diabetes, following her treatment with the Shirrans.
Lose Weight Permanently
So go ahead, relax, and take a few minutes to daydream about what it would be like to be slim and healthy. If you were at your target weight? And then imagine if you never had to go on a diet again, or be afraid of food? What if you were able to enjoy every social event? And you also had an abundance of extra energy, and improved self-esteem.
Welcome to the evidence-based My Weigh Less Master Class. A proven, psychology focused downloadable weight loss treatment, that delivers Permanent Results. It’s also based on over 15,000 1:1 clinical hours treating overweight clients. Sarah Hart, below, lost 140 pounds following her treatment.
No Diets, Just Psychology
The My Weigh Less treatment is psychology-focused, built around the experience of treating over a thousand clients. The fully downloadable treatment has also been the subject of extensive real person trials. But, as with your considerations regarding any weight loss approach, do take a look at the verified case studies, and their before and after photos on the My Weigh Less Site. And afterwards, if you require additional comfort, visit the Medical Endorsement page.
The Gold Standard in Non-Surgical Weight Loss
The downloadable My Weigh Less course consists of twelve, one-hour weight loss sessions, with the Shirrans, who have accumulated in excess of 15,000 hours of 1:1 clinical treatment time. In addition to the twelve sessions, clients receive a number of videos, animated presentations, visual aids and hypnosis sessions.
Martin Shirran below was one of first trial candidates.
The My Weigh Less Course is new and refreshing, incorporating the latest, science-based, behavioural change techniques. It’s also completely based on an approach that has changed the lives of over a thousand people. And now, you can also experience all the benefits, the changes in your life, and your thinking around food from the comfort of your own home. Martin, above, also went on to lose 84 pounds himself. Read Pre Wedding Weight Loss Info Here.
Psychologies Magazine featured their work.
Permanent Weight Loss is the Goal
If you want to lose weight permanently, and have looked into different diets, and possibly even surgery, then take a step back, before you decide which approach to adopt. You don’t need to spend any money right now, but just take ten minutes to read the pages of the My Weigh Less website. After all, you have nothing to lose. There is also plenty of additional information on Martin and Marion Shirran’s GMB site.
Registered Stakeholder in NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Marion Shirran, is proud to be a registered Stakeholder in NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Marion is registered with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity.
She looks forward to being able to share her vast experience, and help you achieve your weight-loss goals.
The Downloadable Weight-Loss Solution.
Martin and Marion Shirran are Directors of Oxford Therapeutics Limited, which owns the Intellectual Property rights of My Weigh Less product.
You can download the complete My Weigh Less course, and start your weight-loss journey today.
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