I would like to discuss the topic of food addiction concerning weight loss. Why does it seem like a losing battle to lose weight? The success rate is between 3 to 5 per cent to lose weight and keep it off so why bother?
The more you know not just about food but how the body works when you’re on this path will increase chances of reaching the goal. People not just in Canada but throughout the world are becoming more obese. This increase in weight tends to trigger diseases such as heart, kidney, cancer and especially diabetes. In Canada diabetes has increased 100% since 2000 to 2010. The cost of diabetes for Canadians will be $8 billion per year with no decline in sight.
Research is now revealing some of the reasons it is so hard to stay on a diet long-term. Certain foods such as sweets and fatty ones can be very addicting. Calling it addiction, puts the problem it in the same category as heroin, smoking, alcohol, etc. The main reason people become addicted to drugs is that it increases the production of dopamine in the brain exactly the same as certain foods. Dopamine does many things for us such as pleasure and the ability to focus to name a few. It is a neurotransmitter brain chemical that will drive you to seek ways of increasing its level thus giving the sensation of pleasure.
So how do we control these addictions to certain foods? Well, let’s talk more about ways of increasing dopamine without the use of food and/or drugs.
Any pleasurable sensation will cause an increase in this neurotransmitter. Yes, simply hugging someone, accomplishing a task, hobbies, and exercise or just sitting back and listening to music will increase dopamine production. Sounds simple but the trick is to do this before reaching for that cookie. When food is used to raise dopamine levels especially when stressed or depressed it will increase that craving. Each time you use food to improve your mood it will continue to reinforce that pattern.
In order to break free of any addiction including certain foods you must substitute it with something else that also will give pleasure.
Watch for patterns
Not that we are all food addicts, but when you notice that there is a pattern of eating which you can’t control then evaluate if it could possibly be an addiction. Sometimes just becoming more aware of what you’re eating and why can be enough to change the pattern.
For more information about any of the free services offered by your local Family Health Team ask your doctor or nurse practitioner during your next visit, visit the website www.afhto.ca or google “family health team locations.”
Mike Libbey is a registered dietitian at Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
