Food Addiction May Be a Bigger Problem Than You Think

Food addiction is a problem that is gaining more recognition. Scientists are beginning to think that food addiction may be a contributing factor behind the obesity crisis. When you eat a diet high in some processed foods, you are consuming large amounts of salt, sugar, fat and  high-glycemic refined carbohydrates. These foods can trigger changes in the brain that can lead to compulsive overeating.

You probably don’t think eating certain foods can be habit- forming.  Studies have shown that when you consume a lot of an ingredient such as sugar, your body will start to crave it (Avena, 2008) .Over time, you will find that you will need to eat more and even binge-eat to satisfy your craving. This food can cause the release of chemicals such as dopamine in the brain, which gives people the rush that drug addicts experience. If you try to stop, you may find yourself suffering from withdrawal symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

You may be more prone to food addiction if you are carrying certain genes. Overeating can also be a way to deal with stress. Lifestyle plays an important role too.  If you have a job and a family, you probably do not have a lot of time to prepare proper meals. Processed foods are quick, easy and require little preparation.

Eating too many processed foods have been linked to obesity, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, high cholesterol and other serious illnesses. There are ways to reduce cravings and compulsive overeating. You will want to replace processed foods with more healthy options. Also eliminating refined sugar and white flour is a good place to start. Add in fresh vegetables, fruits and meat.  Use portion control. Address your emotional issues that you have with food. If you can’t do this alone, get professional help or join a support group.

Food addiction is a complex problem to overcome as you have to eat food to survive.  However, if you are willing to do the emotional work and eliminate processed foods from the diet, your food addiction problem can be managed.

Avena, A; et al.(2008) Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent,excessive sugar intake. Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews (32), 20-39.

Unfortunately many of the processed foods available for purchase at supermarkets and grocery stores are laden with refined sugars. Sugary foods may taste great and provide a quick energy boost, but they are to blame for the escalating health crisis in the developed world. Obesity is on the increase in the US and Europe. Consequently obesity-related ailments like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease are also on the rise.  Teas like Green tea can help you loose weight.

Green Tea To Slim Down

What can you do if you want to slim down and reduce your risk for obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis? One way to effectively lose weight and regain your health is to consume only low glycemic index foods and drinks. You gain weight when your body produces excessive amounts of insulin to process the refined sugars in processed foods.  Low glycemic foods are broken down into glucose at a slower rate than high glycemic foods, and consequently take longer to enter the bloodstream. Thus the body does not need to release as much insulin in order to process them.

Following a low glycemic diet takes stamina because it involves giving up sugary snacks and beverages. However, there are some foods and drinks on the market that are both delicious and low glycemic. For instance, if you like to consume energy drinks that keep you going while you are at work, you will probably enjoy drinking Nuvo Gene Tea Green tea.

Nuvo Gene Green Tea

Nuvo Gene Tea is a natural green tea thermogenic energy drink.  Nuvo Gene Tea offers all of the antioxidant health benefits of ordinary green tea. The fundamental difference between Nuvo Gene Tea and ordinary green tea is that the former is a thermogenic drink. Nuvo Gene Tea promotes maximum adipose fat burning while providing you with the extra energy you need. Drinking three glasses of Nuvo Gene Tea on a daily basis can help you to get rid of excess body fat while you focus on getting on with your day.  Nuvo Gene Tea is certified low-glycemic and non-cephalic through the GRI, and was developed by Glycemic Index researchers.

Are you really serious about losing the extra weight, improve your health, and enjoy a better quality of life? Are you looking for a low-glycemic product that tastes great and helps you to get back into shape? Do you often wish you had more energy when you experience that afternoon slump during your work day? If so, you should definitely consider trying Nuvo Gene Tea.

The region of Italy known as Tuscany is famous for, among other things, its wonderful food. This western central area of the country experiences generally mild climatic conditions, making it the perfect area in which to grow tomatoes, basil, olives, grapes, and other delicious ingredients that world-class chefs and home-kitchen cooks alike use to create some of the most magnificent dishes in the entire world.

Tuscany – Cacciucco alla Livornese

A traditional stew native to the harbor of Livorno in Tuscany (hence “Livornese”) that uses whatever fish happens to be the fresh catch of the day in combination with red pepper, fresh onion, garlic, tomatoes, and parsley along with flavorful olive oil, salt and pepper, and red wine vinegar. Most cooks will be generous with the red pepper, as this is one of the very few spicy Tuscany dishes. As such, white wines pair best with this dish, especially a Bolgheri Bianco or a Bianco della Val di Cornia. This is a very hearty stew, usually accompanied by toasted bread rubbed with garlic, and is a favorite of the northern region usually in the winter and its holidays.

Tuscany – Bistecca alla Fiorentina

The perfect dish for those passionate about a good cut of beef. In America, England, and other English-speaking countries the cut of beef used for Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or Florentine-Style Steak, would be called a “Porterhouse.” However, for those looking for authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina the cut must come from Chianina animals, which are large, white oxen specifically raised in the Val di Chiana, near the Tuscany region of Arezzo. This meat is especially succulent because of the size of the animal—for this dish a steak can weigh at least 6 pounds, the rich flavor of the meat, and a texture so tender if prepared right can be cut with a spoon. The perfect preparation of this dish can only be paired with an equally luxuriant, rich red wine, namely a Chianti Classico Riserva, a Brunello, or a Barolo.

Tuscany – Caldaro dell’Argentario

A traditional Tuscany dish served during Christmas in the area of Mount Argentario. Like Cacciucco alla Livornese, this dish is another fish stew whose foundation is the fresh catch that the fishermen brought to port that day. In addition to the fresh catch, this recipe uses squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. The best wine pairings for this stew on a cold December night is a Muscadet or a Sauvignon Blanc.

Tuscany – La frittata con gli zoccoli

Also known as an “omelet with clogs,” is a light summer dish found all over Tuscany, and truly is eggs and ham at its finest. Simple but still delicious, a delicate Chablis or Muscadet for those who enjoy white wine, or an Anjou or Brouilly for those who prefer a red.

Tuscany – Schiacciata (pane) unta

A type of bread, known as focaccia elsewhere throughout Italy, that is found literally everywhere throughout Tuscany. A wonderful alternative to regular breads, schiacciata is a flatbread that can be used for sandwiches or topped with olive oil and herbs—or any other topping, for that matter—for an incredible afternoon snack! The wine best paired truly depends on what is accompanying the schiacciata; a Chianti Classico is a great choice, as is any choice from the Indicazione Geografica Tipica.

Tuscany – Covaccino

Also known as a “white pizza” lacks tomato sauce. Instead of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese is the foundation of the pizza, and is often accompanied by hot salami, chopped onions, sliced zucchini, and sliced prosciutto. Try a champagne with covaccino (think Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, or even Moet & Chandon); a Pinot Grigio or even a Sauvignon Blanc.

Tuscany – Ribollita

A hearty soup from Tuscany made from bread and vegetables. While the main ingredients vary from kitchen to kitchen and cook to cook, the staples of a good pot of Ribollita always include stale bread, cannellini beans, carrots, cabbage, silverbeet, cavolo nero, and onion. The soup originated in the area prior to the Middle Ages, and began by reheating the leftover soup from the day before; some stories claim that the soup was created when servants and peasants gathered up food-soaked bread off silverware from feudal lords’ feasts and boiled them to make their own meals. A wine with an earthy tone would accompany this dish nicely, perhaps a Viognier, Carmenere, or even a Gewurztraminer.

Tuscan – Rosticciana

These are roasted pork spare ribs. Generally sprinkled with salt, garlic, and rosemary and then roasted over a charcoal or wood fire, this succulently sweet roasted dish can be found on many a Tuscan table during the chilly winter months. Rosticcaciana pairs well with a cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, or even a merlot.

Tuscany – Manafregoli

A dessert popular in the Tuscany area that begins with sifted chestnut flour that is added to boiling water until it makes a soft cream. It is then boiled for half an hour and served on hot plates with milk or fresh cream drizzled over the top. Because it is a dessert dish, a white Riesling is ideal, but a nice Moscato will do well, or, for those more daring, try a Riesling or Cabernet Franc icewine!

If you’ve been advised to avoid carbohydrates, then you may want to think twice. While cutting carbohydrates can be a great way to reduce your caloric intake, there are several reasons why excluding them altogether can be not only ineffective but detrimental to your health.

The tendency to view all carbohydrates as bad is an unfortunate by-product of society’s obsession with fitness. Once a nutrient is given a negative label, it becomes very difficult to change the way that people see it. In lumping carbohydrates together, today’s popular no-carbohydrates diets have set up a false choice between carbs and no-carbs, and it is this all-or-nothing approach that has so many people spinning their proverbial wheels. Fortunately, with a little practice, you can learn to tell the good carbohydrates from the comparatively bad carbohydrates, which will bring you one step closer to achieving your goals.

Good Carbohydrates, Bad Carbohyrdates

Carbohydrates can be defined as good or bad according to the rate at which it releases energy. Slow-burning, or complex carbs are considered good because they provide a constant supply of energy throughout the day. Simple, fast-burning carbohydrates like sugars and starches are considered bad because they raise blood sugar levels. This, in turn, triggers the release of insulin to bring those levels back down. The resulting crash saps you of your energy and makes physical activity that much more difficult.

Since carbohydrates fuel vital organs like the brain, eating too few of them can have a negative effect on memory and concentration. A lack of carbohydrates will also cause the body to burn protein for energy, which affects your muscles’ ability to recover after exercise. Add dehydration, and you’re looking at a possible trip to the emergency room.

If you’re eating too many carbohydrates, then, by all means, cut back. No one is saying that you should continue drinking sugar-filled sodas. If you’re eating complex carbs such as brown rice, whole grain bread and whole wheat pasta, then cutting back further is the last thing that you want to do.