Addicted to Food? Break the Spiral

Most of us would love a normal healthy body weight but do find it difficult to achieve.  In theory, weight reduction is simply cutting down on what we eat.  So why is it that we are continuously tempted to overeat?

A recent study shows we eat for many reasons unrelated to our daily energy requirements. Many of us eat out of stress, frustration or for sheer pleasure.  Artificial food from the supermarket shelves provides an easy temptation that many of us simply cannot resist.

What are your Eating behaviours ?

Eating behaviours are often driven by highly-processed foods, especially those with a high glycaemic index. High glycaemic index foods include refined starches and concentrated sugar and cause a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar. Typically, blood sugar falls below fasting level within a few hours of a highly processed meal, causing hunger and the spiral begins, with more food that is not really very good for you.

While food is necessary for life, we eat for reasons beyond our daily energy needs. When overeating becomes a pattern that is hard to break, we say someone is “addicted” to food.

Natural foods with a low glycaemic index, whole fruit, vegetables, legumes (plants grown in pods – peas, beans, lentils, peanuts – high in protein & dietary fibre) minimally-processed grains, produce relatively little blood sugar fluctuation.  These fill you up for longer and you’ll find basically all of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, calcium, dietary firbre, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, protein, riboflavin, thiamin & zinc.

The fact is food addiction centres in the brain, independent of calories or pleasure.  On this basis we need to redesign our diets to encompass the nutrients our bodies crave for a full & healthy lifestyle.

My story

When I found myself somewhat overweight, slightly sluggish and lacking the energy needed to get me through the day I decided to “take control”.  I started to detox my body & mind with a juice fast diet.  21 days later I had lost 11lbs, stepped back into my favourite clothes & had the energy to take on all the tasks I had put on the perpetual long finger. I have reduced the fatty stores in my liver and improved my metabolism!

I am delighted to be hosting a juicing event on Weds the 25th of September @ 7.45pm with our resident naturapath Kevin Callan where you can learn all the basics and benefits of juicing.

Try this great juice any time of the day

Here’s a recipe for my super green juice to get you started; process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve and enjoy !!!!

• Apples (granny smith) – 2 medium (3″ dia)
• Celery – 4 stalk, large (11″-12″ long)