Food Addiction - Finding Happiness Outside of Food

FOOD ADDICTION

Today’s blog is a rather controversial one. Some believe food addiction is nothing more than a lame excuse for overeating, others will testify food addiction runs their life. On the one hand we have those who, fortunately, have never had issues with food, consider yourself blessed. As a result, it is hard for those who have never experienced food addiction, to understand the complexities of those who do suffer from addiction. However, with an estimated 4 million adults suffering from food addiction, it’s very real.

Food addiction can be likened to any other addiction: pornography, gambling, sex, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, television, and more recently, internet, and Face Book. Yes, all of these are but a few of the addictions people suffer from, around the globe.

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:

Addiction is Habitual psychological or physiologic dependence on a substance or practice that is beyond voluntary control. Withdrawal has many meanings, one of which is A psychological and/or physical syndrome caused by the abrupt cessation of the use of a drug in an habituated person.

WHAT CAUSES FOOD ADDICTION?

It would be so nice to just list what causes food addiction, wouldn’t it? It’s just not that easy. Food addiction has been under a tremendous amount of study, and the list the of possible causes grows as more research is done. One thing scientists, psychologists, researchers, and doctors, and even patients agree on though, is it can stem from one to a number of various factors.

A common thread that runs through ALL food addictions, is coping with overwhelming emotions of shame and depression, suffer from low self-esteem, and have a constant need for love and validation.

TOP 10 CAUSES OF FOOD ADDICTION

1. Dealing with emotions, using food as a ‘band-aid’.

2. To gain weight, as a ‘protective’ measure. Particularly those of sexual abuse.

3. Yo-yo dieting, which throws the body out of homeostasis, creating a ‘cycle’.

4. Refined sugar, fat becomes outright habit forming, and becomes an addiction.

5. Low serotonin levels.

6. Biological abnormality of the hypothalamus not sending proper signals.

7. Researchers have recently found a genetic mutation that appears to cause food addiction.

8. Negative psychological influences at a young age. Critical comments, etc.

9. Depression.

10. Loneliness.

Keep in mind there are other causes which can be linked to food addiction, as well.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP FOOD ADDICTION?

There is no ‘one size fits all’ remedy. You may require several of the following to meet your needs and recover from addiction. One thing is for certain, you will need support, both at home, at work, wherever you may be. The more support you have, the more the people around you can be of help in a weak moment. A listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, someone to hold, and express your frustrations to, can make a world of difference.

STOP THE MADNESS

1. Get nutritional counseling.

2. Get medical counseling.

3. Look into both individual and group psychotherapy.

4. Read Self-help books.

5. Look into your spiritual self.

6. Learn to manage stress.

7. Learn to remain objective about yourself.

8. Get out in nature.

9. Develop new coping mechanisms when feeling the ‘urge’.

10. Be willing to listen and try new things from the resources listed above.

THIS IS EMBARRASING!

If you, or someone you love is suffering from food addiction, please, know you are not alone. Yes, many feel it is embarrassing. All addicts feel the same way, until they learn to accept the fact that they are indeed, an addict. Think about it, alcoholics try to hide the fact that they drink as much as they do, or they try to show that they can ‘handle their liquor’. Drug addicts do their deals where they cannot be seen, use where they cannot be seen, and often suffer in unseen places. Gamblers don’t want to admit how much money they’ve lost, the relationships lost along the way, jobs, etc. Porn viewers secretly log on and get their fill, it’s no different for a food addict. Money spent on food ‘addictions’, hiding food in secret places, eating the addictive food while alone, it’s all the same.

YOU’RE HUMAN

Some humans are more prone to addictions than others. Many people move from one addiction to another. Accept yourself for who you are. If you want to change, make the necessary arrangements, appointments, and be ready to allow your deepest secrets and hurts to be made manifest on a conscious level. This is a painful process, so be sure you have support.

WHAT’S THE COST and 

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU PAID ALREADY?

The cost will be determined by the duration and type of help you need. Think about how much you have already paid. What have you paid by your health due to food addiction? How much money have you spent/wasted on your food addiction? How much have your relationships suffered from your addiction? Your career? Your ability to be a mother/father/ sister/brother, etc.? How much time has been wasted both in the pre-occupation with food, and the time spent shopping, storing, and consuming it? I’m sure the cost has been high.

WHY ARE FOOD ADDICTIONS SO HARD TO STOP?

Food addiction is different from many other addictions in the way it is a part of everyday life. An alcoholic may feel anxious when driving bar their favorite bar, a gambler when passing their favorite casino. Because food is food, and we are, fortunately, surrounded by it literally everywhere, it makes your challenge that much more difficult. You must eat to survive. Period. You must establish different views, and a new mindset to overcome. You must eliminate.

ARE WITHDRAWALS REAL?

Food addiction withdrawals ARE real. Your body has grown accustomed to the fats and sugars ingested, and will be screaming for more. Be extra careful not to purchase or partake of processed foods, as it is illegal for manufacturers to add addictive substances to them, but they do it anyway. Can’t eat just one? Hmmm… be suspicious.

FINDING HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF FOOD

Reading, writing, playing sports, enjoying the outdoors, serving others, the list goes on and on. Honestly, you can find happiness outside of food. Truth is, the happiness has always been there, you have just been too pre-occupied to perceive it as such.

BOTTOM LINE

You’re life is too short to waste any of it pre-occupied with an addiction of any kind. You deserve to be ‘free’, truly free. You deserve to be happy, and healthy. May you have the courage to stand up to your addiction, deal with it, and move on to a fruitful, successful future. Begin living today.

Answers to Your Questions About Protein

Hi Team:

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been extremely busy working on some important items. I hope all is well with you.

Today, I'd like to take a moment to answer questions on the topic of Protein, from a reader.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ON PROTEIN POWDER REPLACING REAL PROTEIN?

It largely depends on each person and their circumstances. For the majority, I DO NOT suggest 'drinking' your meals via protein shakes. Let me explain why. Our bodies are meant to break down food. In the process, it causes our metabolisms to work harder. Look at it as an internal stove looking to cook something up. In the process of consuming a 'chewable' protein, you're going to cause internal heat simply through the process of digestion. You are also going to burn more calories digesting those 'chewable' proteins than drinking a liquid. Period.

I realize there are many multi-level marketers pushing liquid meals. I've been approached at least a dozen times in the last few weeks. Body by Vi, Isagenix, are a couple to name a few. I will tell you exactly what I tell them. I enjoy eating too much, and look forward to my meals too much, to drink it in 5 or 10 minutes. I had a friend in AZ. who literally lived off 3 Slimfast shakes a day. When I met her, she'd been doing this for years! How much work do you think her digestive system is getting? What doesn't gets exercised gets lazy, and  

WHAT GETS LAZY....GETS SICK!!!!!

How 'clean' do you think her insides are? Seriously folks.

Don't get me wrong. I've been a distributor for Isagenix for years, this is why. I assist my clients with various detox's. Many of which require time, effort, and above all sacrifice and determination. Some of my clients are too weak (mentally), to handle a regular 'Natural' cleanse, as it requires they go without food, lightly exercise, deep breathe, rest, and follow a very regimented schedule which requires they be at home for 2-7 days. This type of detoxing works. Popping pills, capsules, etc., do not come near true detoxification. I have found Isagenix ideal for someone who either can't be home, or must 'have' food. The Isagenix 9 day cleanse works very nicely for them.

Now, these powders, and many of the standard protein powders contain many types of ingredients. Some contain many fillers, and GMO's are used, others have wonderful ingredients, great nutrition, and studies to back them up. (Don't get me started on studies.) The fact is, we need variety of color, texture, taste, and above all,  

CLEAN

HEALTHY

UNADULTERATED 

food. Yes, I know, we've got people hollering about pesticides, how nutritional value is going down over the years on crops, how you'd have to eat a ton of broccoli to get your vitamin C, how fruits and vegetables are picked weeks before they're ready and driven for weeks to get to the store, and the latest, Monsanto's push to get out of labeling GMO products to keep consumers in the dark about GMO's. Is there truth to these claims? Absolutely! Should we abandon eating and turn to powdered meals? Absolutely not!

Like anything else in life, YOU have got to do your research. If you don't have the time, find a trusted resource and ask their opinion, until you can come up with your own data. Knowledge is power, my friends. These days, with technology, you have to work hard to stay in the game. 

THERE IS A PLACE FOR MEAL REPLACEMENT PROTEIN SHAKES

They are perfect for post-workouts. They are perfect for traveling when you're in the middle of nowhere, and have no cooler, etc. They are perfect for individuals who require such a large quantity of calories, they literally would either be shopping, prepping, or eating all day long, if they didn't replace a couple meals throughout the day with protein drinks. They are perfect for post-surgery when, many times, due to meds, or other circumstances, food is not tolerated. They are perfect when you're in a pinch, or recovering from illness. They are perfect for individuals who have medical conditions of the gut (digestive system), who have a hard time breaking down food. In this latter case, the individual must consult a knowledgeable doctor to get to the root of the problem, rather than ignore it and keep consuming liquid meals, as something could very well be seriously amiss internally.

BOTTOM LINE:

There IS a time and place for meal replacement protein shakes, however, getting your protein from a variety of sources is best.

WHAT ARE THE FOODS YOU EAT TO GET YOUR PROTEIN?

I was a vegetarian for several decades. I found I was cold all the time, my muscle mass was poor considering the amount, and intensity of my workouts, and I had periods of feeling dizzy. I began eating meat nearly two years ago. I immediately saw a change in not only muscle mass, but also the power behind it. The muscle itself had more 'umph' to it. Does this mean everyone ought to eat meat? Each person must decide for themselves what is best for them. No one knows your body as well as you. 

WHAT DO I EAT FOR PROTEIN?

I eat a variety of proteins, but I'd have to say the mainstay of them are from the following list:

1. Chicken breast

2. Turkey breast

3. Egg whites and whole eggs

4. Salmon

5. Flank steak

6. Nuts/Seeds

7. Greek yogurt (plain, non-fat)

8. Whey

I used to have soy, legumes, and beans quite often, however, since I consumed these three foods for decades in place of meat protein, I developed an allergy to them. I'm working on overcoming them to this day. When a person eats the same foods all the time, eventually they will almost always develop an allergy to them. Beware. Variety is crucial!

HOW OFTEN DO I EAT MEAT AND/OR EGGS?

I eat meat several times a day. I used to go through a good dozen of eggs a day. I currently have eggs a few days a week, about a half dozen at a time (serving). I'm always changing my meal plans. I will generally stay with the same plan for 4 weeks, then I sit down and formulate a new one, switching things up.

I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN JUICING AND HAVE REALLY LOVED HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL - HOW WOULD YOU INCORPORATE THAT INTO DAILY MEALS? ARE THOSE MEALS REPLACEMENTS? SNACKS?

I, too, am a fan of juicing, however, it must be done ever so SPARINGLY if you desire to lose fat, and maintain blood sugar levels. If you are an athlete looking to get those 'extra' calories in, juicing is a good option as long as you time it right. If you are a patient who has just had chemo and cannot tolerate food, juicing is a wonderful way to go. These two circumstances are polar opposites.

As healthy and wholesome as home juicing can be, you must be careful what you are juicing for. Is it to cleanse? To quench your thirst? To get in some extra calories? To heal? I won't even ask if it's to lose weight, as it may appear juicing works at the onset, but in the long run, you will suffer. Juice is juice, highly concentrated sugars. Now, if you're looking at consuming 4-6 oz. post-workout, or to throw in with your whey protein go for it. This would be considered your 'meal'. Even if you're juicing a 16 oz. glass of carrots, apples, and beets, I still would not consider it a 'meal or meal replacement', as it's lacking both vital fats, and protein. It's simply liquid calories which spikes your blood sugar, the same as drinking a can of soda. Blood sugar spikes, then falls. Not even an ideal situation for a healthy individual. Take someone with hypoglycemia, and it wreaks havoc. Not only that, but drinking juice in this manner day after day will surely set you up for fat gain in the long run. Also, keep in mind, you're losing the benefits of fiber when you juice. 

DOES THIS MEAN I WASTED MY MONEY ON A JUICER?

No, it doesn't. It simply means you need to carefully think about what your objectives are. Healing? Cleansing? Extra calories? Post-workout accompaniment, etc.

Okay Team.

I will get to some more questions very soon, and post more often, as time permits. Feel free to send me your questions at: www.jillstightbody@earthlink.net, Face Book me, or simply leave them on the blog under comments.

Next topic of discussion from a reader:

FINDING HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF FOOD

Have a splendid day!!!!