Junk food Causes Energy Loss, Weight Gain & Is Addictive: My Love-Hate Relationship With Junk Food
Posted: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
Maybe there should be a rehab center (maybe there is) for junkies like myself who have a love/hate relationship with junk food. Just recently, I realized I had slid into a dangerous slope of mindlessly eating that only led to more eating.
I was like the “boiled frog.” I had no idea what was happening because the water got hot gradually, so that I didn’t even realize what happened. This is illustrated by the fable below:
The Boiled Frog
They say that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water,
it will leap out right away to escape the danger.
But, if you put a frog in a kettle that is filled with water that is cool and pleasant,
and then you gradually heat the kettle until it starts boiling,
the frog will not become aware of the threat until it is too late.
The frog's survival instincts are geared towards detecting sudden changes.
(from http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml)
What Is Junk Food?
Junk Food is any food that has poor nutritional value and/or is high in fat, sodium, and/or sugar. It is often referred to as “empty calorie” foods . An empty calorie lacks in micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, and fiber.
Some examples are soda, chips, crackers, candy and cookies. I have noticed recently that cookies and some of the chips have supposedly added things like “Omega Fats” or some other healthy food.
Junk Foods are popular (even more so with teens) because they are tasty (extra additives), quick, and cheap. Some of the side effects of Junk Foods are obesity, dental cavities, heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
Junk Food Is Definitely Addicting
Just like the poor little frog did not know what hit him, I didn’t realize that I was a junk food junkie. Yep, that’s right. Data shows that some foods make you crave more of the same and before you know it, you are addicted.
Here is how it works: A study by Paul Johnson and Paul Kenny at The Scripps Research Institute suggested that junk food consumption alters brain activity in a manner similar to addictive drugs like cocaine or heroin.[9] After many weeks on a junk food diet, the pleasure centers of rat brains became desensitized, requiring more food for pleasure. After the junk food was taken away and replaced with a healthy diet, the rats starved for two weeks instead of eating nutritious fare. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_food#cite_note-9)
I am overcoming my addiction with Junk Food by eating tons of veggies and fruits. The fruit serves as something “sweet,” I am already feeling more energetic and in a happier frame of mind. If you are “addicted” to Junk Food, why not take this journey with me?
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Fran,Thanks for this. I have recently had the same sort of experience. It's so easy to fall into poor habits with food and become complacent, then wonder why I feel lethargic, bloated and gain weight. Great wake up article. I'll go with you!
I agree, apart from being of little nutritional value, junk food is also addictive.
Hi Fran. I feel you here! I go through spurts. The problem is the weight doesn't fall off because I catch myself and stop. Thanks for this important reminder! Blessings, T
I wouldn't say I'm a junk food junkie but I do eat my share of it. Everything in moderation I say! Very interesting article and I love the comparison to the Frog fable. I've been doing a lot of mindless eating of late too Fran and your article has prompted me to smarten up in that regard. Thank you! Good luck on your journey. :)
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