It’s in our face every time we turn around. Warnings that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and is a known cause of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. A recent CNN Health article stated that more than 100,000 cases of cancer each year are caused by excess body fat. Do you ever wonder why a nation such as ours—filled with so many intelligent people—is continually giving in to extremely unhealthy food choices?
In his book, The End of Overeating—Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, former U.S. Food and Drug Administrator David Kessler, M.D., sheds light on how the brain and body respond to rich, unhealthy foods. Dr. Kessler explains how foods high in sugar, fat, and salt alter the brain’s chemistry by creating a release of powerful chemicals, such as dopamine and natural pain-killing substances called opioids. Surprisingly, these are the very same chemicals that are released when people are addicted to alcohol, cigarette smoking, drugs, and gambling.
Addictive cycles can result due to “cue-urge-reward” patterns. And let’s face it; in our lives today there are no shortages of extremely seductive food “cues” that result in “urges” (aka: cravings). Most of us are bombarded with unhealthy food cues and temptations every day and evening—via the media or a well-intentioned family member or our work environments.
If we continue on the “cue-urge-reward” path and we succumb to the “urge,” then the so-called “reward” phase is when the dopamine and opioids are released…offering us a mood alter. For this reason, when our behavioral patterns become conditioned responses to cues (or stimuli)—such as foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—then the biological circuits of our brains are altered.
Meanwhile, countless prepared foods that are sold today are loaded or layered with this “tantalizing trio” of sugar, fat, and salt. For example, a leading food consultant (who did not want to be identified to protect his business) described to Dr. Kessler how the “layering” of fat and salt often occurs in the production of Potato Skins. Here’s what the food consultant shared:
“Typically the potato is hollowed out and the skin is fried, which provides a substantial surface area for what he calls ‘fat pickup.’ Then some combination of bacon bits, sour cream, and cheese is added. The result is fat on fat on fat on fat, much of it loaded with salt.”
Isn’t it disappointing to see how much of today’s food industry is cashing in on this disturbingly lucrative trend toward selling foods that are loaded or layered with high levels of sugar, fat, and salt? Unfortunately, many of us are ingesting these foods at the expense of our health…and our children’s health.
On the other hand, while small amounts of sugar, fat, and salt in our diets are necessary, high doses can trigger chronic emotional and compulsive eating. Since we now know that our brain circuitry is physically affected and altered by eating foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—it’s no wonder that many of us feel powerless when a food craving hits…and hopeless when it comes to losing weight.
Can you relate? If so…you’re certainly not alone. When I work with weight loss clients, I offer various mind-body tools that include educational, cognitive-behavioral exercises and self-hypnosis. Cognitive behavioral exercises teach my clients how to observe, measure, and modify their unhealthy behaviors. Whereas, self-hypnosis offers a relaxed, focused state where unhealthy conditioned responses can be addressed at a deep, unconscious level—below the surface.
And, here’s some GREAT NEWS: According to clinical studies, when self-hypnosis was added to a weight loss program that utilized cognitive behavioral exercises—the resulting weight loss more than doubled. These clinical studies also showed that the positive effects of self-hypnosis increased over time—which indicates that long-term maintenance of weight loss is strengthened by the use of self-hypnosis.
So, if you’re ready to interrupt your own “cue-urge-reward” patterns—that relate to foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—then take the first step onto a solid weight loss path…and contact me. I will teach you cutting-edge tools that will help to propel you toward your goals and transform hope-LESSness…into hope-FULLness.
Attend Trina’s Inspiring Workshop: Managing Emotional and Compulsive Eating for Women at John Muir Women’s Health Center: 1656 N. California Blvd., Suite 100, Walnut Creek, Thursday, Oct 21, 6:30-8:30 pm. Seats are limited—register today: (925) 941-7900 option 3.
For more info, go to www.TrinaSwerdlow.com & click on “Private Sessions & Workshops”
To receive my FREE newsletter “Trina’s Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up on my website: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com.
Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author of the 2-CD Set, Weight Loss: Powerful & Easy-to-Use Tools for Releasing Excess Weight. She is also the author of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Her CDs and her book are available from John Muir Women’s Health Center online store: www.womenshealthcenterstore.com/books1.html.
Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com. To receive her free newsletter, “Trina’s Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up at her site: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com (Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.)
Photo by Susan Wood, www.SusanWoodPhotography.com