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Here's a more substantive look at Kessler's new book "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite" via Lyndsey Layton's Crave Man - David Kessler Knew That Some Foods Are Hard to Resist; Now He Knows Why (WaPo). Excerpt:
Kessler was on a mission to understand a problem that has vexed him since childhood: why he can't resist certain foods.
His resulting theory, described in his new book, "The End of Overeating," is startling. Foods high in fat, salt and sugar alter the brain's chemistry in ways that compel people to overeat. "Much of the scientific research around overeating has been physiology -- what's going on in our body," he said. "The real question is what's going on in our brain."
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10 comments:
Sorry.. I was joking!!! I have a great hubby that gets it all!
As for the 80's stuff... I plead guilty. I told you I was a candidate for What Not To Wear!
Hey Lee. Too funny. I wrote about this here:
http://truth2beingfit.com/2009/04/23/conditioned-hypereating--when-unhealthy-foods-hijack-overeaters-brains.aspx.
I can see that you did not see that post since you are so great at letting me know what you think.
Maybe I am looking at it wrong but I thought it was a bit off. And in this article, he told people to tell themselves "I'll hate myself if I eat that". Am I looking at this wrong. That was my question in the post because the whole article about him turned me off. Set me straight Lee!!!!
Jody - I really think Kessler's on to something with his theory. Maybe this combination of sugar, fat & salt activates certain areas of the brain in certain people -- much like how reaction to alcohol differs among people. Of course, more research is needed but anything that may help to solve the problem of over eating and obesity is a positive step.
I agree. By the way, thx for your note on my site. I guess for me, I just thought it was an obvious thing but of course a lot of people don't have this info at their fingertips. To me, I think we all know that those things cause people craving .. either salt/crunchy, fat/creamy etc. BUT, I guess he meant them all together. I just did not like him telling people to tell themselves "I will hate myself". That is never appropriate in my book. I guess that is what got me going.. HA!
Thx so much for taking time to respond! Always good to have another perspective!
Keep up the good work!!! You are getting there!
So it's all in our heads then. Too bad it winds up on our thighs and butts.
Not only do I think this is true, that is why I try to stay away from most processed foods, including the so-called healthy ones (maybe even more so)...because I believe food scientists that work for the food corporations come up with ways to modify the foods to intentionally create an even stronger addition/craving.
It doesn't surprise me that our food is processed to make us addicted. Like his example about tabacco company's, our country loves to keep us in a self-destructive mode. Even now they don't want to give up gas driven cars.
Lee, you always find ways to make me think!
This totally makes sense to me, that there's something more complex going on with our junk food cravings than simple failure of will power.
But I agree with Jody, telling people to hate themselves is probably not a great idea. But reminding yourself that you will regret it if you give in constantly and feel so much better if you exert some self-control? That seems like a better message.
Jody & Crabby - I agree Kessler's suggestion for self talk was inappropriate -- seems this part of his theory is his weakest. He should team up with a good cognitive behaviorist. I haven't read his book yet, so maybe he has. Sometimes when scientists - researchers are interviewed about their work, they goof up trying to make it accessible for us lay people to understand.
Thanks everyone for your comments about this book. We'll have to stay tuned as more research is done to test this theory. Can you imagine warning labels on food. "Warning: this product contains a combination of ingredients that have been found to be addictive and may cause overeating that is threatening to your health."
Lee, your "warning" comment was too funny!!!! OMG, that warning would be everywhere! :-)
Jody - For now, the three amigos warning will just have to be in our heads.
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