Are You Addicted To Food?
Research suggests that some foods actually can be addictive and may lead to withdrawal symptoms when you try to give them up. The foods most likely to trigger addiction are highly processed and loaded with sugar, salt, oils, fats and other additives. (Think pizza, chocolate, potato chips, cookies, ice cream, French fries and cheeseburgers.) Research suggests that these foods contribute more than half the calories in the average American diet and are linked to obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems. Reportedly, efforts to cut back on these foods can trigger withdrawal symptoms that are said to be most intense between the second and fifth days.
Source:
Carlos Augusto Monteiro et al “Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study,” March 7, 2016, doi: 10.1037/adb0000544.
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