cravings

Food Cravings Explained

by Tracy on November 21, 2011

in Health And Wellness, Medical Weight Loss News, Weight Management Strategies

Did you see the article on Junk Food Addiction from Bloomberg News that was in the Denver Post last Month( November 6th)?   Twenty-eight scientific studies and papers on food addiction have been published this year. And just as David Kessler proclaimed two years ago in his book, “The End of Overeating”, certain combinations of sugar, fat and salt can hijack our brains and create an addictive process with food. This process is similar to what happens in cocaine addiction.

“The data is so overwhelming, the field has to accept it.”said the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Nora Vulkow.  The studies were performed at leading universities and government laboratories:  Brain scans of obese people and compulsive eaters reveal disturbances in brain reward circuits similar to those experienced by drug abusers.  If fatty foods and snacks and drinks sweetened with sugar and high fructose corn syrup are proven to be addictive, food companies might face the fiercest consumer safety battle since the anti-smoking movement took on big tobacco a generation ago.

OK, so what could this mean for those of us who struggle with overeating, binging and  compulsive eating?  Do we just accept this and give up?  No.  I think that this can provide us with the strength (finally) to banish the food-drugs from our homes.  It’s not that we are lacking in willpower – we are being addicted to sweet and fatty foods without our permission!  How many times have you told yourself: “I’ll just have one”, then find yourself cleaning up the whole bag of whatever the goodies were.  It is not a just lack of willpower – the “food” has strong addictive properties and messes with the brain.  Why didn’t our grandparents have trouble with this?  Because OUR  modern food processing techniques concentrate the sweet and savory flavors in food so that is has a much stronger effect on us.

This whole idea is both fascinating and terrifying.  What can we do to regain control?  David Kessler has a section in “The End of Overeating:”  Food Rehab, which entails treating specific foods like addictive drugs.  As crazy as this sounds, it seems that this new research gives the treatment real validity.

Tracy L Boykin, RD

Be the first to comment

Why is it so hard to maintain or lose weight in the winter?

by Tracy on November 17, 2011

in Recipes, Weight Management Strategies

So what is it with this cold weather?  Do you find yourself craving thick , hot stews and homemade bread with lots of butter?  Falling temperatures and gray skies make our thoughts stray to comfort foods of yore.  What were the family customs when you were a child?  Chocolate chip cookies?  Chile con queso and chips?  Bowls of M&Ms in the house?  What in the world happens to our good salad-eating habits?

There are numerous reasons for the “heartier food” cravings:  Cold weather does raise our metabolism a bit as we use more calories to warm ourselves.  This only works when we’re outside in it, however (darn!).  The extra effort of holidays leads us to treat ourselves.  How did Halloween go for you?   We’re also more tired from all the preparations!  The days are shorter and darker – making those yummy carbohydrates even more compelling. Sunshine raises our serotonin levels – missing that, our brains can make it when our blood sugar is high.  Bummer!

On top of this, our activity level tends to drop.  Gardening, biking, hiking and swimming have been packed away. awaiting the sweet call of Spring.  We may watch more TV, catch up on that book, and wish that just thinking about the treadmill will raise our metabolism.

So what’s a calorie conscious consumer to do?  Move to a warmer climate?  Take a long tropical vacation? It’s time to get out the winter tools (not just the shovels and scrapers).   Think crock-pot recipes, roasted vegetables and hot, spicy drinks!  Clear broth soups and stews thickened with vegetables are so satisfying and hearty, with little fat or starch.  Think beans instead of rice (more protein and fiber) and lean proteins like chicken breast.  Spicy hot tea is a lovely little lift at the end of a cold day.  Good Earth tea has great flavors.

Here’s a super simple crock-pot meal for a cold day:

Mediterranean chicken- serves 6 241 calories, 7.8 gm fat, 21 gm carb, 20 gm protein

3 small boneless chicken breasts, cubed

2 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can artichoke hearts

1/2 c. red wine

3 tsp low sodium Better than Bouillon, chicken flavor (In the soup aisle on the top shelf)

1/2 c, water to mix with the bouillon paste

1 Tb dried oregano, crushed

1/4 tsp black pepper

1.  Mix all ingredients in the crock-pot

Cook on low 8 hours

You may throw in a can of black beans as well, if you’d like.

Stay warm, eat well.  Put on some music and dance!

Happy Autumn!

Tracy Boykin, RD

 

 

3 comments