For some people, swearing off dairy because of lactose intolerance is about as effective as a college freshman swearing off alcohol after a night of a few too many. After the aches and pains have gone away, suddenly indulging in a latte doesn't seem like that bad of an idea. Whether you're dealing with food intolerances or not, most of us have eaten a little more of something that we know we shouldn't have, feeling happy-go-lucky while filling our face, but regretful afterward.
Why do we keep going back for more?
Food Heroin
Consider yourself warned. The following foods contain a protein molecule that mimics our body's feel-good endorphins, called exorphins. Exorphins are found in certain foods that mimic our body's natural endorphins, causing a drug-like high when we eat them.
Even though the four food categories below aren't inherently bad for you. They can create the addictive like behaviors of eating more and more, even in those of us who have intolerances.
- Milk, cheese, yogurt (all casein-containing foods)
- Wheat
- Chocolate
- Coffee and Tea
On a different, but unrelated note to addiction-causing exorphins, sugar is also addictive. In fact, the average person consumes 140 pounds of processed sugars annually! (Lipski 2012, 156) Processed foods containing any form of sugar were created, literally, with some sort of a plan to keep you coming back for more. From soda to tomato sauce, added sugars are in everything to appeal to our taste buds. In fact, fructose intolerance, or the inability to absorb fructose properly, is something people are born with...or something people acquire. The more fructose (including high fructose corn syrup) we eat, the greater the likelihood of developing this intolerance that can cause bloating, nausea and cramping to name a few.
What to do, what to do...
This article has some great suggestions and good information, Traci. Thank you.
To help get to the emotional root of the need for all the cravings and emptiness that is behind food addiction, and for some strong help in emotional over-eating, I hope you will check out my book: What’s Behind Your Belly Button? available on Amazon.
Thank you again for your article and reminders.
Thank you, Martha! I’m glad you liked it!