even if i have food in the fridge to cook myself i often dont bother to cook it but opt for a takeaway (pizza, curry, burger etc) instead. I f***ing love this food and cant stop eating it, but every few months i manage to break away, excercise, eat healthy etc but i always end up going back into the same old rut of eating crap. So is this an addiction or am i just a lazy fat f**k?
2006-09-03 11:23:48 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Can we be addicted to junk food?
Broadcast: October 29, 2002 | Reporter: Wendy Mesley; Producer: Greg Sadler; Researchers: Colman Jones, Leonardo Palleja
In Duncan, B.C., a group has gathered for a meeting. It’s one of those 12-step meetings - a gathering of people who are hooked. But the substance at the heart of this meeting is one we have all abused. It is a gathering of Food Addicts Anonymous.
“I’ve been addicted to many substances and it’s exactly the same," one participant says. "The getting ready to go to the store to get my food…feels exactly the same as when I was going for other addictive substances in my past.”
Addicted or not — almost half of Canadian adults are now overweight. Fifteen-percent are considered obese. Only smoking is a bigger health problem. The numbers are growing at an alarming rate.
We all joke about being junk food junkies. But a growing number of scientists say there may be something to that.
Addicted rats
Given a mixture of sucrose and water, Dr Michael Persinger's rats were insatiable
At Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, one researcher says rats may have something to teach us about why we eat the way we do.
For several months, Dr. Michael Persinger fed his rats sucrose — water and sugar — one week, and then just regular water the next.
It was no surprise rats liked sugar. But who doesn't? Persinger set out to test just how much they would drink. They drank up to 30 per cent of their body weight every day. They ate more too. They were insatiable.
“Can you imagine spending 24 hours a day, once every five minutes, sucking on a sucrose bottle? I mean, that’s typically what addiction is considered to be,” Persinger said.
Compulsive behaviour – one sign of addiction. Another comes when you take the desired substance away.
“The worst bite I ever received in 30 years of research was with those animals.”
Another sign of addiction – the rats’ sleep patterns were disturbed. But how does it relate to people?
"The important aspect of addictive behaviours is that the time between the craving and the reinforcement’s immediate. That’s why fast foods are so effective.”
Persinger adds that based on his experiments and observations, part of the general population could be labelled as junk food junkies.
2006-09-03 11:25:11 · answer #1 · answered by Irina C 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I feel for you, because I think I am hopelessly addicted to junk food myself..namely chocolate and eat it on a daily basis. Sure, I'll eat some veggies, etc, too., but can (and do) make a meal out of brownies or such. Once you get in that cycle, it is really hard to stop, and i haven't had the will power to say no myself. I think everyone has an addiction of some sort to something if they are honest. They say the first step is identifying the problem right? So at least we are that far lol. I hope you can overcome it, but don't judge you because I sure haven't. Sure, I am young and it doesn't seem to effect me too much yet, but I know if I don't stop, my day is coming. Have a great day and if nothing else, be encouraged to know you are not alone. (maybe they put addictive stuff in the junk food so we keep coming back for more lol)
2006-09-03 11:35:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is an addiction. Processed food has a great deal of saturated fat, and carbs. It's very addictive because of the way it tastes. It's not good to eat out at these places everyday. It's easier and better for you, to fix food for yourself. We Americans are by most part lazy people. We don't want to cook for ourselves or anything. We want it all easy. Junk food and fast food is just an easy way out. Yet, the quickest way to die.
2006-09-03 11:29:36 · answer #3 · answered by Timothy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The most addictive part of most junk food (sodas, candy, ketchup, even some bread) is SUGAR. Sugar is a refined carbohydrate that is absolutely addictive. Go to any gas station and you'll see their shelves stocked with sugar delivery systems in various forms (twinkie, candy bar, soda, chips, donut, etc.). Some people are more susceptible to sugar addiction than others. (Sugar addiction is sometimes called Carbohydrate Addiction.)
For people who are highly susceptible to Sugar Addiction, it only takes one bite of a heavily sugared food to reignite their cravings and send them back into addictive behavior with sugar even after many months of moderating their sugar intake.
See sources below for more info...
2006-09-03 11:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is mostly because it is loaded with carbs that send signals to go for more as they mix up controls in the system. For example potato chips, bet you can't eat just one! Even an apple does it. Once knowing this and following recommended serving sizes you can easily get back to your normal weight.
2006-09-03 11:30:00 · answer #5 · answered by The Global Community 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's evident that your greatly lacking; and eating junk foood is not good for you; go see a nutritionist ; or your diet for a healthy meal plan
2006-09-03 11:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by Fredrick A. Simpkins 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem. I just deal with it and eat. But I'm young so I have a fast Metabolism. Just try not to eat as much.
2006-09-03 11:26:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
why don't u just get away from the junk food and buy some healthy stuff that r good like fruit bars
2006-09-03 11:27:19 · answer #8 · answered by nina buena 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes you are just a lazy F**K
2006-09-03 11:27:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-09-06 14:51:53 · answer #10 · answered by minniemeandsam 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋