maillemaker Member

That's because alcohol is a chemical dependance. But there are many addictions that do not involve chemical dependence. Let me be pedantic here and state that since all addictions involve brain chemistry, all addictions are technically about chemical dependance. But I'm talking about an external chemical that causes the…

Yes, but your question was quite specific in its context all by itself. Nothing in the article suggests there were substances comparable to cocaine in processed foods. I suggest you read it again more slowly.

It's not really fair to ask me a question, which I answer, and then when I ask you one, you can't be bothered. If you are going to make a statement, you should defend it, or don't bother making the statement.

Engineering. First, I'll point out that there is no lard (rendered pig fat) in Oreo cookies. Here is the ingredient list: ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI),…

Sure. My doctor even suggested it. I don't have money for those kinds of luxuries. So like most people, I keep trying again and again on my own. My only real hope is that someday they will develop a safe and effective appetite suppressant. When I was on Redux it totally solved my problem. I lost 60 pounds in the 6 months I…

My feeling is that if you replace calorie-dense foods with foods that are not so calorie dense, your normal feelings of satiety will be more likely to result in a normal caloric intake. As our typical food becomes more calorie dense, it's likely that you will eat a surplus without knowing it.

OK, here it is: If I said, "if you want to stop drinking alcohol and you can't, you might have an addiction problem." Or if I said, "If you want to start gambling, but you can't, you might have an addiction problem." most people would agree. Presumably you would, also. Ah, I think I see the point of confusion. Let me…

Exactly. This goes back to my comment about lay-persons getting confused and thinking it's something toxic about the food itself. It's not. While Oreos may not be the most nutritious food in the world, I doubt there is anything inherently unhealthy about them. They are just extremely compelling to eat and calorie dense. If…

Perhaps you could explain, because I fail to see what is silly about it.

I'm not sure how else to take your question. You asked: You seem to be laboring under the idea that someone suggested that there is an ingredient in food that is comparable to cocaine. No one has suggested that there is an ingredient in food that is comparable to cocaine. Now if what you really meant to ask is what is it…

A relevant article that appeared in my newsfeed this morning: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/junk-food-diet-stops-new-foods-082814 “The work suggests that consumption of junk foods may make you relatively indifferent to novel food, which may encourage overconsumption. Also that you may overeat when exposed to…

No one has claimed that there is any ingredient in potato chips that is comparable to cocaine.

Huh? I don't think I've ever reported a post ever. Well you are going to have a very limited group of people to talk to, I'm afraid. Most people are like me, they diet, lose weight, then put it back on again when their willpower gives out. I lost 30 pounds last year, and gained it back +2. This is the way it goes for…

If you can take or leave naan, then you aren't addicted to it. If you want to stop eating naan and you can't, you might have an addiction problem. By definition, addictive behavior is behavior that you want to control but can't. This link was provided earlier and I think it's a good synopsis:…

Yes, manufactured food products *do* vary in calorie content. But the very tasty ones typically are high in calorie content. Look, the majority of Americans are overweight. There is a reason for this. Part of it is that we are not as physically active as we used to be, but caloric expenditure is only a small part of the…

So the correct answer here is to point out that what they were addicted to was not sugar, but the sweet, calorie-dense foods that probably contained sugar that they could not control themselves from eating. This gets back to my previous comment about the lay-person blaming "processed food" for America's general weight…

To quote a line from the movie of the same name, "What if this is as good as it gets?" Though I am definitely holding out for a safe and effective appetite suppressant, also.

Great post!

Boy, I have. Many times.

Great post!

If you can stop, then you are not addicted. Addiction is when you want to stop but can't.

Great post!

Great post!

I'd settle for just an acknowledgement of its reality.

Of course not. I think we all agree that controlling caloric intake is key to weight loss, and controlling caloric intake takes willpower. It is of absolutely no use to say to someone, "Welp, you just need more willpower and stop making excuses!" Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows that they need willpower.…

From your link: I'd say the uncontrollable urge to eat can be both. There is the pleasure of the eating, and the relief of no longer being hungry.

First of all, all addictions are the result of a lack of discipline. Second of all, there are plenty of people addicted to cigarettes who don't rob grocery stores to feed their addiction. It seems to be a common misconception by many around here that in order to be addicted to something you must have a life-destroying…

Sure makes it harder, though, right? I submit to you that it probably wasn't just not measuring snacks that contributed to your calorie surpluses. I bet you no one counted calories for any food input. If you do that with the modern American food supply, most people will end up eating a surplus and ultimately end up…

People who have made the connection between processed foods and weight gain. I think we need to agree on a definition of "processed food". Just about all foods are "processed" in some way today. Apples are picked with machines, washed by machines, and packaged by machines, so you could say that apples are a processed food.…

This is the kind of "moderation" that I cannot fathom. To me, the willpower required to open a bag of M&Ms, pluck out only 10-15 of them, and then not eat the rest is far, far greater than the willpower required to not eat any.