Addiction journal
Addiction journal
Highly processed foods and addiction with Ashley Gearhardt
Highly processed foods and addiction with Ashley Gearhardt
Highly processed foods and addiction with Ashley Gearhardt
Monday 5th December 2022
Dr. Ashley Gearhardt from the University of Michigan explains the addictive nature of highly processed foods and their impact on health in this episode of Addiction Audio.
32 minutes
Informative
Thought-provoking
Raw
Engaging
Educational
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Get the buttons here!Ashley Gearhardt on the Hidden Addictive Qualities of Processed Foods
I see a lot of the hallmarks of an addiction epidemic where you the amounts of excessive intake and obesity and diet-related disease and binge eating have skyrocketed since the time that our food environment has changed and highly processed foods have started to dominate it and people want to quit.
Have you ever wondered if that irresistible craving for pizza or donuts might be more than just a love for tasty treats? In this thought-provoking episode of 'Addiction Audio', Dr. Rob Calder chats with Dr. Ashley Gearhardt from the University of Michigan about the addictive nature of highly processed foods. Dr.
Gearhardt kicks things off by defining what exactly constitutes highly processed foods and dives into why these everyday items can trigger cravings and lead to a loss of control, much like other addictive substances. From refined sugars to added fats, she breaks down which ingredients are the biggest culprits in fostering addictive behaviors. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Dr. Gearhardt and Dr. Calder also tackle the tricky issue of defining what makes a substance addictive.
Unlike drugs or alcohol, where there's a general consensus on diagnostic criteria, the same can't be said for food. Yet, despite the lack of agreement on definitions, the evidence of addiction-like behaviors is hard to ignore. Dr. Gearhardt also highlights the impact of these foods on our health, particularly pointing out their role in obesity and diet-related diseases. She discusses the need for reformulation and stricter marketing regulations to curb these addictive tendencies, especially in children’s diets.
If you've ever found yourself unable to resist that bag of chips or wondered why you keep reaching for that second slice of cake, this episode offers some eye-opening insights. Dr. Gearhardt's extensive research sheds light on why highly processed foods might be more than just a dietary choice—they could be an addiction.