Are You Addicted To Food???

How can you be addicted to a substance you have to consume to stay
alive?  Is it possible to be addicted to food?  Researchers say yes.
 

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When
scanning the brain of a food addict thinking about food, the scan shows changes nearly
identical with the brain changes of a drug addict or alcoholic thinking about drinking
or drugs.  Most of the time the food being contemplated by the food addict
 is rich and calorie dense, such as pizza, chocolate cake and ice cream, or
pasta with cream sauce. 
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style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another
similarity is that food addicts like drug addicts, and alcoholics, have fewer receptors
for dopamine, the feel good hormone.  It could be that in order to feel good,
food addicts have to eat more in order to reach the same state as normal people.
  

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over eating
leads to the brain over emphasizing the sensation and pleasure of eating by decreasing
the awareness of other body parts, than the mouth.  Food addicts often go
through similar withdrawal symptoms like drug addicts.  These symptoms include
anger, depression, irritability and moodiness.  />
Food addiction can be controlled.
 Even if you're not addicted to food the tips below can help you
target="_blank">lose weight. />
Keep a journal. Writing down what you
eat and how you feel when you eat can help you pinpoint danger areas.  Seeing
what you've eaten in a 24 hour period brings home just how much of your life is
controlled by food.

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Know your
triggers and avoid them. Certain foods are triggers to out of control eating.
 If you know what they are you can avoid them.  Triggers can also
include events, such as holidays, and people.  If you know someone irritates
you and your reaction is to eat, avoid that person if possible.
 

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Focus on the
food.  It sounds counter productive to emphasize food when that's all you
can think about.  The idea is to focus on foods that you sincerely enjoy, not
just on filling up your stomach with whatever is at hand.  Food addicts in some
ways have it rougher than other addicts, they can't just give up
food. 

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Slow down
when you eat.  Use small plates. Put your fork down between bites. Have
multiple courses rather than everything on the table or on your plate at once.
 Drink water between bites.  Take at least 30 minutes to eat your
meals.  

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Join a
support group.  People who are facing the same challenges as you are can
provide the positive support you need. Knowing you're not alone can boost your
morale. 

style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't
give up.  Your first efforts at controlling food consumption might not be
successful, but that doesn't mean all your efforts will fail.  See the
positive progress you've made rather than the back sliding. />

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