Did you know that according to a University of Michigan survey [1], the most addictive foods are:
#1 Pizza
#2 Chocolate
#3 Chips
#4 Cookies
#5 Ice Cream
The authors state these processed foods can be as addictive as cigarettes, alcohol, and cocaine…
Because their salty, crunchy, fatty, and sweet flavors hijack the dopamine receptors in our brains, creating a “food-high”, and then you “come down” from the food-high, craving more.
And just like cigarettes, we know processed foods are harmful for our health, leading to obesity, metabolic dysfunction and other chronic diseases.
But unlike cigarettes, processed foods are EVERYWHERE, and widely encouraged and accepted.\xa0
\u200aHere’s how you can quit processed foods for good 👇
#1 Don’t have them in the house
It may seem obvious, but if you want to quit processed foods, the first step is not to buy them and bring them home.\xa0
Because you’re far more likely to eat them if they are in your house.
#2 Swap them for animal-based foods
Make sure you have plenty of your favorite animal-based foods on hand when cravings strike.\xa0
Craving something sweet? Reach for some fruit! 🍌
Craving something salty? Try pickles, bacon or sweet potato fries!\xa0
#3 Get enough nutrients
If you aren’t getting enough nutrients in your diet, then your body will respond with increased cravings for junk food.
So be sure to get enough high-quality animal fats and protein…\xa0
And make sure your micronutrient tank is fully topped up with the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet -organs!
#4 Get enough sleep
Randomized controlled trials [2] have shown sleep restriction to result in more hunger and less ability to control intake of “palatable snacks.”
You probably already knew this… when you’re tired you don’t have the “willpower” to resist your favorite processed foods.\xa0
So treat sleep like business!
#5 Address the emotional component
There’s almost always an emotional component to cravings, often boredom or stress…
The key thing is to be aware when this is happening.\xa0
Take a moment and breath.
Because sometimes that's all it takes to realize:\xa0
“hey I only want this pizza because I had a tough day at work”
What’s also important is replacing the junk food with a different form of stress relief…\xa0
Some options include going for a walk, lifting weights, reading a book, or even watching your favorite tv show.\xa0
If that doesn’t work and you still crave something to eat, then go back to #2 above and opt for an animal-based alternative.
We hope these tips help you on your journey to radical health, and if you’d like some extra support quitting processed foods, join us inside the Heart & Soil Community App. Available on\xa0AppleandAndroid, it's your direct line to a community passionate about radical health just like you!
The Heart & Soil Team
