Is Food Addiction Real? Or is it Lack of Willpower That Drives People to Overeat?

70% of people in this country are overweight or obese and 40% of those people are kids. So why are people struggling with weight gain? Is 70% of the population gluttonous, weak, and lacking moral fortitude? I think, not.  Science clearly shows that obesity is not about psychology, but about biology.

One of the most significant findings in the last 30 years is that obesity is not driven by calories, or lack of exercise, but by the dietary composition of food we eat. It’s all about the type of calories, not the amount of calories. I used to think maintaining an optimal weight was a math equation; calories in, calories out. But that’s an antiquated theory and science proves otherwise. It’s the kind of food we choose that matters.

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, big food companies have “taste institutes” who hire “craving experts” to find the “bliss point” of foods to process and package to create more “stomach share” and get “heavy users”. These are actual internal terminologies. So much of packaged food, is addictive by design. Big food companies say they’re just giving customers what they want.

So if certain types of foods are biologically addictive and make us gain weight, then what do we do? Avoid processed foods, sugar, carbohydrates, and fast food. Sugar and carbohydrates are what is driving the fat accumulation. Sugar comes in many forms from processed food like and fast food to pasta, bread, pretzels, breakfast cereal, and desserts.

Think about how much time we spend talking about and agonizing over ways to lose weight and gain energy. Cutting down on bad carbs and processed food is one of the quickest way to achieve results. Now you’re freed up to think about other things!

— Nicolle Kate

Instead of eating those types of calories, go for healthy fats, (avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, salmon) lean proteins, (only high-quality, free-range meats)  plant based proteins, ( lentils, beans) and healthy carbs (leafy green vegetables)

We shouldn’t have to work so hard for our health, we should work at getting rid of the things that are blocking it.

— Nicolle Kate

Here’s a healthy low carb, no sugar recipe that’s quick and delicious. I try to share easy recipes without a lot of ingredients and easy to substitute ingredients, because if healthy eating gets complicated, we won’t do it.

Chick Pea Salad Tacos

Ingredients

4 organic corn tortillas, or 4 collard green leaves

Salad

2 C mixed greens
1 avocado, 1/2 avocado sliced in long slices for garnish, and cube the remainder
1 can organic chickpeas, smash half the can with a fork
10 grape tomatoes, quartered
2 Tbs red onion, chopped
mushrooms, sliced; raw or sautéed
1 hard boiled egg, sliced or other high quality protein (optional)

Dressing

2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Italian dried spices
Pinch salt & pepper
1 tsp lime zest

Process

1. Add all salad ingredients in a bowl

2. Combine dressing ingredients and whisk (or if you’re lazy like me simply combine dressing directly into salad) and toss well.

3. Top with slices of avocado, squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of salt & pepper.

4. Fold and eat!