Your eating habits are influenced by various factors, and one of them could be your inclination towards processed foods. The food industry has mastered the art of targeting our brain's reward system, which could explain why you may feel addicted to these types of foods. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you are truly addicted. In this week's blog, I delve into the ways the food industry impacts our brain reward circuitry and explore why it doesn’t have to be this way.
Biscuits, chocolate bars, pretzels and pringles, like many ultra processed foods contain a combination of refined carbohydrates, the unhelpful fats, sugar and salt that affect our brain-reward circuitry. They overpower our appetite signals that tell us when we’re full.
These foods have been coined hyper-palatable foods, by researchers studying their powerful effects. Most processed foods commonly consumed in Europe and the US, meet the hyper-palatable food criteria. This was defined and accepted in 2019 by researcher’s who came up with specific quantities and proportions within processed foods that have the ability to affect our brain chemistry in this way.
Professor Fazzino and his team conducted a study that found that food companies have well designed formulas for foods to increase the amount we eat. The scientists believe they can activate our brain neuro-circuits in a similar way to cocaine. The researchers also discovered that these foods may have the ability to overcome our satiety and fullness signals that tell us when to stop eating. The same study found that 49% of foods labelled low or reduced sugar, fat or salt also met the criteria. Understandably it feels almost impossible for most to navigate the food isles and avoid these brain-hacking food products.
Most people I who come to me for help with overcoming compulsive and emotional eating feel guilty and blame themselves for having no will power, failing at diets and not being ‘good’ enough.
However, this is so much more complex than having will power. The addictive nature of these foods is one of the many components making it so hard. Our food choices are influenced by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
If this is something you struggle with, it’s important to acknowledge that just because you find these foods addictive (as they have been designed to be), it doesn’t mean that you are a sugar or junk food addict. It is possible to learn how to eat these foods as part of a balanced diet without feeling out of control around them. Part of the problem is that you are likely to spend much of the time either in your head in conflict with yourself or physically trying to restrict these foods. This is when they become ever more powerful and alluring.
But you are not alone in this struggle, and there is no shame in seeking help. Taking the first step towards overcoming your eating behaviours is a brave and empowering decision.
If you are feeling stuck in a rut and it’s impacting your life, book in a complimentary call with me to see how I can help to support you to overcome your challenges with food for good.
Do also come and join me in The Food Freedom Collective community - a free group to support you on journey to find freedom around food and your body
If any of these resonate then this community is for you :
💠You are on and off diets all the time
💠You find yourself binge eating
💠You are an ‘emotional eater’
💠You restrict food in order to lose weight
💠 You can’t stop thinking about your weight, appearance or food
💠 You feel overwhelmed and confused no longer knowing what you ‘should’ eat
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