Are you addicted??

I am reading a very interesting book about  the hidden reasons behind food cravings.  It is written by Dr Neal Barnard who heads up the Cancer Project that I have mentioned in the past.  He said that there are certain foods that are capable of stimulating precisely the same part of the brain that responds to heroin.  He named 3 big ones: sugar, chocolate, or cheese. 

He mentions several ways to start breaking the addiction.  Here are a few to try....

• First, be sure to have breakfast. 
• Second, fiber rich foods are essential. (Plant based foods)
• A few ideas for breakfast: a bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal (not instant...this spikes your insulin and is the same as eating sugar...he says this will trigger your cravings)  I agree completely. Another option a half of a cantaloupe, some toasted pumpernickel bread.  These are all loaded with fiber.
• Third, choose healthy protein sources.  He is a vegetarian so he recommends: beans, veggie sausage, tofu etc.  (He believes meat also triggers cravings)

I would like you to try these few things compared to what you normally do and see if you can see any change in your cravings. 

Do you notice that you are not dying to have chocolate or junk food when you make these changes.  I will continue to post more of what the book suggests.  He completely believes the same as Dr Joel Fuhrman who wrote "Eat to Live." 

Remember that small changes can make a big difference in the long run.

To your health,

Melissa