Why eating the wrong food is not your fault!

Helice

I just read this and felt that maybe some people would want to read it too.
From ->>.. http://www.unique-bodyweight-exercises.com/bodyweight-exercises-blog.html

"Have you ever wondered why so many people seem to crave calorie packed, processed and fast food that we all know are bad for us? From a logical point of view it makes no sense at all as such food can seriously damage our health. It is even stranger when you consider that the foods we should prefer are the natural ones that our ancestors ate.

One theory for this bizarre and unhealthy trend is that we are genetically programmed to eat the foods that contain the highest calories in order to ensure survival. This theory may seem strange or far-fetched, but remember that thousands of years ago before man first began to farm crops, we were hunter gatherers. We obtained whatever food we could whenever possible, as there was never any certainty when food would next be available. As a result, such a genetic programme made perfect sense because the more calories one consumed when they were available, the more fat that could then be stored for energy reserves in case of famine. As it may have been many hours or even days before it was possible to eat again, this genetic programming would not have proved problematic to health at that time.

Unfortunately, this genetic programming became part of our nature a long time before the current high calorie foods full of fat and sugar became plentiful all day every day. In spite of the fact that our high calorie consumption has caused a wide range of obesity problems across the globe, it has only been decades since so many low cost foods became available and would therefore be unrealistic to assume that we could change our genetic programming in such a short space of time.

We may indeed choose high calorie food as part of our survival make-up, but all is not lost because as I often mention the human body is a wonderfully adaptable creation.

Therefore, the good news is that if you are following a healthy diet and stay on it for sufficient time, your body will indeed adapt to its new choice of food. You will even begin to enjoy the new tastes and textures. So, if you find it difficult following your diet at first, stick with it and you will soon learn to enjoy it."

hroush

I disagree with this for a couple reasons.

1. The human species is very fond of forming habits. If we make it a habit of eating bad things, then we will continue to eat bad things, even if we "know" it's bad for us. We will make excuses to not change because it is easier to procrastinate than to change. In some ways you could call this an addiction, which ties in with #2.

As practically everyone on here will attest to, there was a specific moment that made them want to change, which was powerful enough to overcome the desire to continue to eat (and overeat) the "bad" food. Many will also say that they have had multiple moments, but people slipped back into old habits as the desire faded away.

2. Many of these foods cause the release of "feel good" chemicals in the brain. If these foods make us feel good, of course we will continue to eat them! I suppose this could be the "genetically programmed", but it's still giving people an excuse to continue eating badly.

Kimmer2011

No matter what the reasons are, it's still MY CHOICE to eat what I eat.

CuteAndCurvy83

I also think there are additives and chemicals added to foods to make them addicting. However if you were to raise a child with nothing but non modified organic foods, and they never touched anything that was not processed,their cravings would be different then yours or mine. When i'm craving something sweet I want a candy bar, mean while they would reach for a piece of fruit, if I wanted something high in fats and calories I would reach for fried foods,ect, while that child would reach for nuts and nut butters. When all is said and done, it IS My fault. I KNOW what those bad food choices are doing to me,my body, and my brain, yet I still choose to reach for another cupcake.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I disagree with this for a couple reasons.

1. The human species is very fond of forming habits. If we make it a habit of eating bad things, then we will continue to eat bad things, even if we "know" it's bad for us. We will make excuses to not change because it is easier to procrastinate than to change. In some ways you could call this an addiction, which ties in with #2.

As practically everyone on here will attest to, there was a specific moment that made them want to change, which was powerful enough to overcome the desire to continue to eat (and overeat) the "bad" food. Many will also say that they have had multiple moments, but people slipped back into old habits as the desire faded away.

2. Many of these foods cause the release of "feel good" chemicals in the brain. If these foods make us feel good, of course we will continue to eat them! I suppose this could be the "genetically programmed", but it's still giving people an excuse to continue eating badly.

I agree with this. I don't really crave fast food. I think animals in general are adaptive to their food supply. When food supply is higher than demand most animals stop gorging themselves. I really think it's the type of food we are supplied with, and that we have adapted accordingly. Do I think that fried chicken dripping with grease is yummy? yes. Am I sitting here craving it? No, I'm craving blueberries. Could I walk to the restaurant and pound down a half chicken? probably, but it would be out of sheer pleasure, not some compulsion or undeniable need.

brnsgrsbody

I disagree with this for a couple reasons.

1. The human species is very fond of forming habits. If we make it a habit of eating bad things, then we will continue to eat bad things, even if we "know" it's bad for us. We will make excuses to not change because it is easier to procrastinate than to change. In some ways you could call this an addiction, which ties in with #2.

As practically everyone on here will attest to, there was a specific moment that made them want to change, which was powerful enough to overcome the desire to continue to eat (and overeat) the "bad" food. Many will also say that they have had multiple moments, but people slipped back into old habits as the desire faded away.

2. Many of these foods cause the release of "feel good" chemicals in the brain. If these foods make us feel good, of course we will continue to eat them! I suppose this could be the "genetically programmed", but it's still giving people an excuse to continue eating badly.

i agree with the above

27strange

Yep, that inherent instinct for high calorie foods is exactly the reason why my body always wants McDonalds! haha Gross.

I don't know how to form a basis of opinion for this article so I will wait and come back...