The conspiracy to make (and keep us) fat...
MeRoBi
Posts: 127 Member
I recently came across two reports that made me realize how much the choices we make affect our success.
The first one I heard on NPR. It was someone talking about how we’re “hard-wired”, …we’re made to want high fat, high calorie foods (and a lot of it). Our ancestors who ate as much of those things as they could, when they could are the ones who survived. The problem is, our ancestors didn’t have the abundance of these things that we do today. My take away? Don’t start eating these things, because it’s too hard to stop (and not just because I my willpower isn’t strong enough).
The other was an article in the NY Times magazine, that discussed how food manufacturers make the food we eat. The one thing that blew my mind? There is an actual term they use, called the “bliss factor” that is the point at which a food triggers a response in your body that makes you want to keep eating. Let me repeat this…they actually create foods with the goal to make it physically more difficult to put it down.
Wow, like it isn’t hard enough for me already! What this made me realize is that I really do need to focus on the items around the perimeter of the store. I have been aware of that for a while, but these two things made the light bulb go off for me…when I eat the things that are processed, I’m making it much harder on myself than it needs to be.
And why on earth would I do that?
The first one I heard on NPR. It was someone talking about how we’re “hard-wired”, …we’re made to want high fat, high calorie foods (and a lot of it). Our ancestors who ate as much of those things as they could, when they could are the ones who survived. The problem is, our ancestors didn’t have the abundance of these things that we do today. My take away? Don’t start eating these things, because it’s too hard to stop (and not just because I my willpower isn’t strong enough).
The other was an article in the NY Times magazine, that discussed how food manufacturers make the food we eat. The one thing that blew my mind? There is an actual term they use, called the “bliss factor” that is the point at which a food triggers a response in your body that makes you want to keep eating. Let me repeat this…they actually create foods with the goal to make it physically more difficult to put it down.
Wow, like it isn’t hard enough for me already! What this made me realize is that I really do need to focus on the items around the perimeter of the store. I have been aware of that for a while, but these two things made the light bulb go off for me…when I eat the things that are processed, I’m making it much harder on myself than it needs to be.
And why on earth would I do that?
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Replies
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People actually believe that all the proccessed crap is really food.0
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That was all covered very well in movie: Hungry for Change0
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It's funny because I watched forks over knives with my fiance and it really really changed our perception of everything. I've been 100% vegan and 90% raw for soon to be two years, my hypothyroidism went away proven by blood work, my acne cleared up, my hair grew faster, and I slept much better and wasn't so drained all the time after I changed my diet around. I think meat and dairy is one big conspiracy and I say this because we're not told about the high amounts of proteins we can get from beans which are also very high in fiber, we are not told about the high amounts of proteins we can get from greens such as spinach and broccoli, and yet we are constantly told that we need to eat dairy and meat to survive. I have been a full on vegetarian for almost 3 years and a vegan for soon to be 2 years and in the past and I have not gotten sick once, I'm 18...three years ago in high school I missed 26 days out of a 180 day school year because I was so sick and exhausted all the time. I am living proof of how we are brain washed to think everything backwards and how I changed my life around once I realized this.0
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Processed food companies pay good money to "food scientists" (yes that's a real occupation) who's entire job is to make the food they market as palatable and (if they can) addictive as possible.
Highly refined carbohydrates combined with fat is usually the key to doing this. We love both sweetness and high-fat foods, and while the high-fat foods can be healthy (if they're not trans-fats or refined oils) the refined carbohydrate on the other-hand causes insulin spikes and drops that both promote storage of fat (excess calories are stored as fat, regardless of if they're dietary fat or carbohydrate) AND causes hunger cravings.
Much like our blood glucose, insulin also peaks and drops for most people. After the insulin and glucose 'spike' the resultant drop usually causes neuro-chemical hunger cravings for food we don't actually need. This is commonly called the "chinese food" effect, where we're hungry 1/2 an hour after eating something that's high in fat and refined carbohydrate.0 -
Vegans often attribute cutting meat/dairy to any beneficial changes in their life while ignoring the fact that many also cut refined/processed carbs and sugars.It's funny because I watched forks over knives with my fiance and it really really changed our perception of everything. I've been 100% vegan and 90% raw for soon to be two years, my hypothyroidism went away proven by blood work, my acne cleared up, my hair grew faster, and I slept much better and wasn't so drained all the time after I changed my diet around. I think meat and dairy is one big conspiracy and I say this because we're not told about the high amounts of proteins we can get from beans which are also very high in fiber, we are not told about the high amounts of proteins we can get from greens such as spinach and broccoli, and yet we are constantly told that we need to eat dairy and meat to survive. I have been a full on vegetarian for almost 3 years and a vegan for soon to be 2 years and in the past and I have not gotten sick once, I'm 18...three years ago in high school I missed 26 days out of a 180 day school year because I was so sick and exhausted all the time. I am living proof of how we are brain washed to think everything backwards and how I changed my life around once I realized this.
If you notice, BOTH raw vegan and paleo dieters state incredibly positive changes to adopting the diets they have... and the ONLY thing in common is the elimination of refined/processed carbohydrates and often the introduction of more fresh/whole foods.
This indicates meat/dairy isn't the problem, but the refined/processed carbohydrate and lack of fresh/whole foods in people's diet.0 -
um, hi! I was just talking about this at work; after losing close to 80 lbs, i went to walmart for some new clothes. (something cheap since i am continuing to lose, lol) anyways, noticed that i fit size 8-10, when 5 years ago at this weight i was a 12-14. i think clothing sizes have changed to make people feel better, but i think maybe people don't realize, (or want to realize) they are getting bigger. Society is really against losing weight...i dont usually buy into conspiracy theories, but weight management is a billion dollar business, just saying.0
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of course they want us to be addicted to their products! it means big profits for them!
Stick it to the man and eat healthy! :-)0 -
Well you all keep believing that. I just finished two beers after downing half a bag of chips, 400 calories worth of Heath Bar Ice Cream, and am about to dig into some spicy chicken wings and fettuccine alfredo from the local pizza shop. I'd be happy to compare health stats any time.0
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Every manufacturer of everything seeks to make their product more appealing to the consumer. Duh!
Tin hat nonsense does not relieve YOU of the responsibility for everything you put in your mouth. BS like this is soaked up by people who would rather subscribe to mindless conspiracy theories than actually engage their brains or their self control.
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Every manufacturer of everything seeks to make their product more appealing to the consumer. Duh!
Tin hat nonsense does not relieve YOU of the responsibility for everything you put in your mouth. BS like this is soaked up by people who would rather subscribe to mindless conspiracy theories than actually engage their brains or their self control.
QFT. Also for the cute chicken in a tinfoil hat.0 -
I'm so glad that gaining weight was not my fault. It's really convenient that I can blame my upbringing and the Big Food Manufacturers instead of blaming my inactivity.
Thank you for letting us know that we have no accountability with regards to our own health and well-being.0 -
Many of us have heard of the "Bliss factor". I believe it. In fact, I eat foods that are delicious and make me feel great due to high sugar and fat content. However, I take responsibility for the things I eat, and don't go hog wild and blame it on the industry. It's hard to fight it when there are high calorie foods everywhere that you just want to keep eating. But in the end, it's up to the person whether or not they'll do what the industries want.0
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Tin hat. No one is chasing you around throwing donuts in you mouth. Keep feeding those lawyers looking to get big dollars now that tobacco is out of the way.0
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"Bliss Factor" Do you want food that is artificial AND horrible?0
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Luckily for me ice cream tends to be close to the perimeter of the store too..0
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I'm so glad that gaining weight was not my fault. It's really convenient that I can blame my upbringing and the Big Food Manufacturers instead of blaming my inactivity.
Thank you for letting us know that we have no accountability with regards to our own health and well-being.
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Hell yeah my friend! :drinker:Well you all keep believing that. I just finished two beers after downing half a bag of chips, 400 calories worth of Heath Bar Ice Cream, and am about to dig into some spicy chicken wings and fettuccine alfredo from the local pizza shop. I'd be happy to compare health stats any time.0 -
My college buddy was a physical anthropologist. His work also showed that we are hard-wired to crave "salty-sweet-fat" to survive. No wonder we crave sweet fats at the end of the meal (pie, cake, etc.) and love salty, carb-loaded, fatty snacks like potato chips or fries.
I've been working on portion control the past 3 months. What a portion is and what is served is the biggest gap there is.
Thanks for posting this for us to ponder as we record our calories for the day!0 -
Tin hat. No one is chasing you around throwing donuts in you mouth. Keep feeding those lawyers looking to get big dollars now that tobacco is out of the way.
Mmm donuts.
I'm going to have a donut tomorrow.0 -
I'm so glad that gaining weight was not my fault. It's really convenient that I can blame my upbringing and the Big Food Manufacturers instead of blaming my inactivity.
Thank you for letting us know that we have no accountability with regards to our own health and well-being.
I love Grimace. I suddenly have the urge to wolf down 18 Happy Meals. Be right back.0 -
Interesting.
Anyway I'm off to eat my pop tart ice cream sandwich, you have fun without the bliss factor. I'm going to enjoy mine :bigsmile:0 -
Many of us have heard of the "Bliss factor". I believe it. In fact, I eat foods that are delicious and make me feel great due to high sugar and fat content. However, I take responsibility for the things I eat, and don't go hog wild and blame it on the industry. It's hard to fight it when there are high calorie foods everywhere that you just want to keep eating. But in the end, it's up to the person whether or not they'll do what the industries want.
^ This.
You can look at this two ways, IMO.
1. It's a conspiracy and "food corporations" are in cahoots with the pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and hospitals to get us sick and wring money from us.
or
2. We, as consumers, demand cheap, tasty, fattening food and the market is willing to provide it for us.
I think option #2 is much more likely.0 -
Many of us have heard of the "Bliss factor". I believe it. In fact, I eat foods that are delicious and make me feel great due to high sugar and fat content. However, I take responsibility for the things I eat, and don't go hog wild and blame it on the industry. It's hard to fight it when there are high calorie foods everywhere that you just want to keep eating. But in the end, it's up to the person whether or not they'll do what the industries want.
This.
And honestly, I want my food manufacturers to make food as tasty and delicious as they possibly can. Who wants to choke down dinner and think, "Gah, glad THAT's over!?"0 -
we're all going to die anyway...may as well enjoy the donuts and ice cream while we can :drinker: :bigsmile:0
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Many of us have heard of the "Bliss factor". I believe it. In fact, I eat foods that are delicious and make me feel great due to high sugar and fat content. However, I take responsibility for the things I eat, and don't go hog wild and blame it on the industry. It's hard to fight it when there are high calorie foods everywhere that you just want to keep eating. But in the end, it's up to the person whether or not they'll do what the industries want.
This.
And honestly, I want my food manufacturers to make food as tasty and delicious as they possibly can. Who wants to choke down dinner and think, "Gah, glad THAT's over!?"
I'm thinking we won't see Ben and Jerry's releasing crap flavored ice cream any time soon. But they really should, because I could totally avoid eating that.0 -
I ate a snickers bar about 30 minutes ago.0
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I think is a combination of how and what is in the food that we eat and letting ourselves go for that feeling of satisfaction after a "fix" It did not hit me until I stopped drinking drinking sprite zero and diet 7-up just several months ago after ceasing in drinking the other types of sodas. Now I can not pass the taste of any of those but during the first day of ceasing in drinking that I actually felt like a junkie with headaches, dizziness and constant garble of my body which would not stopped if I had a drink of those but eventually I had to be stronger than my own body to reprogram it. Sure it took me several tries until I have succesfully done it! So in my opinion is a combination of how the food is process, pressure and the self of how far we are letting go of eating that kind of food.
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My 2 cents:
1) Stop blaming others for not being able to control your eating. If you become obese from overeating 'bliss' food, it's not the food manufacturers fault for making it, it's your fault for knowingly sacrificing your long term goals for short term enjoyment.
2) Everything is about moderation, no one is expecting you to give up pizza and go cold turkey completely. If you completely stop eating these foods, it's still letting it control your life.0 -
Every manufacturer of everything seeks to make their product more appealing to the consumer. Duh!
Tin hat nonsense does not relieve YOU of the responsibility for everything you put in your mouth. BS like this is soaked up by people who would rather subscribe to mindless conspiracy theories than actually engage their brains or their self control.
Yey, the chick made it over from the "udder" thread
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Every manufacturer of everything seeks to make their product more appealing to the consumer. Duh!
Tin hat nonsense does not relieve YOU of the responsibility for everything you put in your mouth. BS like this is soaked up by people who would rather subscribe to mindless conspiracy theories than actually engage their brains or their self control.
QFT. Also for the cute chicken in a tinfoil hat.
x3 That's a cute chicken0
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