Lean and Hard

(Photo: Sugar Shock Blog)

Everyone knows that nicotine from cigarettes is addictive. Not only that, it'll destroy your health and possibly kill you. People who have never used them stay away, and current users are either trying to quit or seriously thinking about it. Illegal drugs are addictive. And bad for you. And expensive. Most of us stay away from them. Gambling and alcohol can be addictive for certain people. Unfortunately you won't know you're one of them until you're addicted.

What about food?

First, what does it mean to say that something is addictive? Let's go to that old fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia:

"Addiction is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse dependency consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors."

If certain foods are harmful to your health, alter your mood, and create dependency, what would you call them? Addictive?

According to this article in The Independent:

"Food addiction could be one of the reasons behind the rising number of individuals suffering from eating disorders and obesity, scientists have said.

Food is not currently included in the official diagnostic manual of addictive substances, but scientists believe excessive over-eating shares many of the psychological characteristics associated with other addictions, such as gambling and compulsive stealing."

What I experienced certainly fits the bill. Simple carbs absolutely altered my mood. They provided empty calories and spiked my glucose levels. And they made me crave more. How about you?

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