Here's a MUST READ blog post for anyone who struggles with overeating....
Janice Taylor, weight loss coach, hypnotherapist, and author of All Is Forgiven, Move On interviews Dr. David Kessler, author of, The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite (one of my new favorite books) on the Huffington Post
My favorite quote from the interview:
Dr. David Kessler
"The food industry is a for-profit business. Their business model is to pull out all the bells and whistles, load the food with multiple layers of salt, fat and sugar, thus creating what I call "carnival food." This carnival atmosphere keeps us wanting and coming back for more.
The food industry's first priority is to make their foods as highly 'palatable' and appealing as possible. They discovered that certain foods can and do keep us eating and eating, with no end in sight."
_________________
So many people think that food wouldn't be sold if it was really bad for you. The truth is that most food companies care far more about profit than how nutritious their food is. In fact, if they are a publicly traded stock, by law, their NUMBER ONE concern is profitability for their shareholders.
My question is, how long does it take to restore your system to good chemical health when you were raised on an over 80% processed food diet AND spent nearly 45 years eating that crap?
__________________
2nd favorite quote:
"Palatability refers to how food engages our senses. Is it cold? Creamy? Does it smell good, and does it taste good? Usually, the most palatable foods contain layer upon layer of fat, sugar and salt. The combination of these factors can and do stimulate the neurons, which are the basic cells in the brain. The brain responds to these highly palatable, rewarding and pleasurable foods by firing electrical signals and releasing brain neurons that are encoded with 'palatability.'
Our brains are being excessively activated - bombarded throughout the day - by food cues. Food cues include the actual food we eat, as well as external cues such as anchors to time of day, location, sound and sight. These cues activate the brain, grab its attention, arousal sets in and it drives consumption.
It's important to understand that when we think of the word 'palatable,' we think of something that tastes good. When the food industry uses that word, they are primarily referring to the food's capacity to stimulate the appetite and prompt us to eat excessively."
_________________
The implications of this are enormous - especially for ADDers like myself who have difficulty controlling their attention in the first place. How long before these food conglomerates get the same treatment the tobacco companies did for DELIBERATELY manimpulating their products to CREATE AND/OR ENHANCE ADDICTION??
The greatest power you have right now is to:
- stop watching commercials if you possibly can.
- minimize your exposure to advertising in TV and Movies
- STOP buying any products you find difficult to resist
- Get someone else to do grocery shopping for you for a month or two to help you detox (Many grocery stores offer online shopping and delivery. This can be a GREAT tool in controlling what you buy.)
- Shop at smaller grocery stores that emphasize fresh food. Whole foods at least does not sell products with transfats in them (one of the most addictive substances)
Not sure if writing to crongressman and senators would help, but surely in a profit driven world, you DO vote with your dollars. You stop buying a product and start buying healthier choices and eventually they will get the message.
Any other suggestions from readers would be most appreciated....I'm sure there are lots more ways you can make a difference!
Yours in Organizing for Health!
p.s. There is still time to register for our July Getting Unstuck Program which starts July 9!
p.p.s Here the link to the orginal post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janice-taylor/is-the-food-industry-mani_b_226463.html
