I think that fat, salt and wheat have to be one of the challenges in my life.
I believe they all have addictive qualities but they also lower the quality of my life by their side effects and discomforts that result in my body.
All of these "substances" I feel are widely advertised on TV, and in restaurants and on the internet and around all the holidays: Fettucini Alfredo, Garlic Bread, FAT Burgers, Burgers with sauteed mushrooms, bacon and guacamole, French fries
Plus it seems that these 3 substances are constantly seen and eaten in conjunction with each other:
Take bread & butter. Bread in itself already contains fat and salt. Plus bread is made with processed stripped wheat.
Butter and oil are pure fats, containing 14 grams of fat per tablespoon. We went to "Zio's Italian Restaurant" the other day and what do they offer but a big loaf of bread and with what to drench it in - a plate of pure fat aka "olive oil", which is deemed as a "heart healthy" oil. However studies done on individuals resulted in blood circulation being slowed down by olive oil. The oil actually causes more sludge going through the veins. Imagine pouring oil through a hose instead of water.
Not only does it slow down the circulation, but it eventually causes build up within the vein's walls. Just like what happens to our pipes at home after all that grease gets poured down the drains.
Some believe that different kinds of oils are healthier than others, and that butter is healthier than margarine. While it is true that trans fats are more dangerous, too much fat is unhealthy all around, and the public is sometimes led to believe that eating oil and nuts promotes health. When in fact, all plant foods contain small and healthy amounts of fats in them.
Too much fat in the body inhibits circulation for many areas. A doctor I'm working with has even stated that some men who are taking Viagra probably just have too much fat in their diet, when there's no circulation, there is problems everywhere, and health issues rise since everything is slowed down.
Salt is for sure a huge addiction with many people. Sodium naturally occurs in all plant foods. But when Sodium and Chloride get together, you get inorganic sodium. Also known as table salt, sea salt, etc. The white stuff people use to season things. When you eat a lot of salt, your body expands. People don't understand why they "swell".
Why do wedding rings not come off?
Why do we get sock marks in our legs?
Well, for one, sodium chloride is really a poison. And our bodies, when poisoned have a unique defense system. They flood various parts with water.
"The solution to pollution is dilution"
Our bodies retain water to product vital organs and other body parts from the dangerous sodium chloride, aka table salt, sea salt, soy sauce, tamari sauce, Braggs, etc. Anything that has sodium chloride in it.
Salt is also known as an "excito-toxin"...when you put salt on a baby's tongue, it burns! If you were to get off all salt for a week and put it on your tongue you'd feel the same sensation. But when you are eating salt on a regular basis, the salt tends to taste good and you tend to want to "season" everything. Because it tricks your tongue into thinking things taste "better". This is kind of what fat does. It carries the flavor of foods.
Can you make a meal of salt? That would be a good answer to if salt really is meant to be eaten. The same would go for fat. Can you make a meal of butter, or of oil?
Wheat has its own issues. Most people have an intolerance to wheat they just don't know it. They are used to wheat. But if you've even been "off" wheat for 2 weeks and then re-introduce it, you will feel bloated. When wheat is cooked it turns into an addictive food item. Scientists have discovered that baked bread contains 15 known opioid-like substances. Opioids are highly addictive. They cause you to have cravings and feel "good" after ingesting them.
Ever smell "fresh baked bread" and your mouth waters? This is what happens to me.
Of course we can make a meal of bread, but can we really make a meal of its components. Could we make a meal of wheat stalks, oil and salt in a bowl? Or course not, it has to be processed & stripped, and then combined and risen and finally baked to actually be edible.
I do believe that much of this addiction can be tied into anxiety and well being. Not everyone of course will experience anxiety, but people with the propensity to already feel anxious who have food issues might discover that by eating certain foods, and being in an anxiety producing situation may further cause anxiety to happen. Some foods tend to be more calming while others can be more exciting.
It's important to know what makes us tick and I hope you found the above information about some of these substances helpful!
Food Addictions: Fat, Salt & Wheat
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Some more information I came across on salt consumption:
www.nytimes.com
Scientists writing in The New England Journal of Medicine conclude that lowering the amount of salt people eat by even a small amount could reduce cases of heart disease, stroke and heart attacks.
From the article.... "If everyone consumed half a teaspoon less salt per day, there would be between 54,000 and 99,000 fewer heart attacks each year and between 44,000 and 92,000 fewer deaths, according to the study, which was conducted by scientists at University of California San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center. "
Now, since the majority of sodium in the American diet is hidden in packaged and processed foods we have to limit the amount of sodium in the packaged foods we choose. The best guidelines to follow is to make sure the sodium in mgs per serving is no more than the calories per serving. So, if something has 100 calories per serving, the sodium should be no more than 100 mgs. This is not a "rule" but a "guideline" to help you make better choices.
Restaurants are another land mine for salt.
The following examples of the 20 Saltiest Meals comes from an article that originally appeared in Men's Health.
Now remember, the National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine, guidelines recommend a range of 1200-1500 mgs/day for healthy people. The set an Upper Limit at 2300 mgs/day. While you often hear the 2300 as "recommended" this is inaccurate. The 2300 is the Upper Limit.
The 20 Saltiest Meals...
20: Saltiest Side Dish
Denny's Honey Smoked Ham, grilled slice
1,700 mg sodium, 85 calories
19: Saltiest Dessert
Atlanta Bread Company Raspberry Scone
1,750 mg sodium, 360 calories
18: Saltiest Soup
Baja Fresh Chicken Tortilla Soup
2,760 mg sodium, 320 calories
17: Saltiest Burger
Hardee's 2/3 lb Monster Thickburger
2,770 mg sodium, 1,420 calories, 108 g fat
16: Saltiest "Healthy" Food
Chili's Guiltless Grill Chicken Platter
2,780 mg sodium, 590 calories,
15: Saltiest Pasta
Fazoli's Rigatoni Romano
3,180 mg sodium, 1,090 calories, 54 g fat,
14: Saltiest Chinese Entrée
P.F. Chang's Beef with Broccoli
3,752 mg sodium, 1,120 calories, 65 g fat
13: Saltiest Breakfast
Arby's Sausage Gravy Biscuit
3,754 mg sodium, 961 calories
12: Saltiest Beef Entrée
Bob Evans Steak Tips and Noodles
4,131 mg sodium, 822 calories, 43 g fat
11: Saltiest Frozen Dinner
Swanson Hungry-Man XXL Roasted Carved Turkey
4,480 mg sodium, 1,360 calories, 70 g fat
10: Saltiest Bread
Dunkin' Donuts Salt Bagel
4,520 mg sodium, 320 calories,
9: Saltiest Sandwich
Quiznos Turkey Bacon Guacamole Large Sub with Cheese and Reduced-Fat Ranch Dressing
4,670 mg sodium, 1,120 calories, 49 g fat,
8: Saltiest Pizza
Pizza Hut Meat Lover's Stuffed Crust Pizza (3 slices of the 14'' large)
5,070 mg sodium, 1,560 calories, 87 g fat,
7: Saltiest Comfort Food
Denny's Meat Loaf Dinner (with Mashed Potatoes and Corn)
5,080 mg sodium, 1,210 calories, 69 g fat,
6: Saltiest Salad
Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Florentine
5,460 mg sodium, 840 calories, 53 g fat
5: Saltiest Mexican Entrée
Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas
5,690 mg sodium, 1,730 calories, 107 g fat,
4: Saltiest Kids' Meal
Cosi Kid's Pepperoni Pizza
6,405 mg sodium, 1,901 calories, 93 g fat,
3: Saltiest Seafood Entrée
Romano's Macaroni Grill Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
6,590 mg sodium, 1,230 calories, 74 g fat,
2: Saltiest Appetizer
Papa John's Cheesesticks with Buffalo Sauce
6,700 mg sodium, 2,605 calories, 113 g fat,
1: The Saltiest Dish in America
Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Portobello
7,300 mg sodium, 1,020 calories, 66 g fat
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200905111.html
CSPI researchers examined 17 chains and found that 85 out of 102 meals had more than a day's worth of sodium, and some had more than four days' worth, including these:
* Red Lobster Admirals' Feast with Caesar Salad, Creamy Lobster Topped Mashed Potato, Cheddar Bay Biscuit, and a Lemonade: 7,106 mg
* Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas (with tortillas and condiments) and a Dr Pepper: 6,916 mg
* Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Seasonal Vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg
* Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) with a Breadstick, Garden Fresh Salad with House Dressing, and a Coca-Cola: 6,176 mg
* Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana with a Breadstick, Garden Fresh Salad with House Dressing, and Raspberry Leonade: 5,735 mg
Children eating at chain restaurants don’t fare much better than their parents or grandparents. According to the Institute of Medicine, children aged 4-8 should consume no more than 1,200 mg of sodium per day. These meals that have one or two days' worth of sodium:
* Red Lobster Chicken Fingers, Biscuit, Fries, Raspberry Lemonade: 2,430 mg
* Chili's Country Fried Chicken Crispers with Rice and 1% milk: 2,385 mg
* KFC Popcorn Chicken with Macaroni and Cheese, Teddy Grahams, and 2% milk: 2,005 mg
* Jack in the Box Chicken Strips Grilled, Buffalo Sauce, Fries, and 1 % milk: 1,980 mg
* Olive Garden Chicken Fingers, Fries, and Raspberry Lemonade: 1,835 mg
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www.nytimes.com
Scientists writing in The New England Journal of Medicine conclude that lowering the amount of salt people eat by even a small amount could reduce cases of heart disease, stroke and heart attacks.
From the article.... "If everyone consumed half a teaspoon less salt per day, there would be between 54,000 and 99,000 fewer heart attacks each year and between 44,000 and 92,000 fewer deaths, according to the study, which was conducted by scientists at University of California San Francisco, Stanford University Medical Center and Columbia University Medical Center. "
Now, since the majority of sodium in the American diet is hidden in packaged and processed foods we have to limit the amount of sodium in the packaged foods we choose. The best guidelines to follow is to make sure the sodium in mgs per serving is no more than the calories per serving. So, if something has 100 calories per serving, the sodium should be no more than 100 mgs. This is not a "rule" but a "guideline" to help you make better choices.
Restaurants are another land mine for salt.
The following examples of the 20 Saltiest Meals comes from an article that originally appeared in Men's Health.
Now remember, the National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine, guidelines recommend a range of 1200-1500 mgs/day for healthy people. The set an Upper Limit at 2300 mgs/day. While you often hear the 2300 as "recommended" this is inaccurate. The 2300 is the Upper Limit.
The 20 Saltiest Meals...
20: Saltiest Side Dish
Denny's Honey Smoked Ham, grilled slice
1,700 mg sodium, 85 calories
19: Saltiest Dessert
Atlanta Bread Company Raspberry Scone
1,750 mg sodium, 360 calories
18: Saltiest Soup
Baja Fresh Chicken Tortilla Soup
2,760 mg sodium, 320 calories
17: Saltiest Burger
Hardee's 2/3 lb Monster Thickburger
2,770 mg sodium, 1,420 calories, 108 g fat
16: Saltiest "Healthy" Food
Chili's Guiltless Grill Chicken Platter
2,780 mg sodium, 590 calories,
15: Saltiest Pasta
Fazoli's Rigatoni Romano
3,180 mg sodium, 1,090 calories, 54 g fat,
14: Saltiest Chinese Entrée
P.F. Chang's Beef with Broccoli
3,752 mg sodium, 1,120 calories, 65 g fat
13: Saltiest Breakfast
Arby's Sausage Gravy Biscuit
3,754 mg sodium, 961 calories
12: Saltiest Beef Entrée
Bob Evans Steak Tips and Noodles
4,131 mg sodium, 822 calories, 43 g fat
11: Saltiest Frozen Dinner
Swanson Hungry-Man XXL Roasted Carved Turkey
4,480 mg sodium, 1,360 calories, 70 g fat
10: Saltiest Bread
Dunkin' Donuts Salt Bagel
4,520 mg sodium, 320 calories,
9: Saltiest Sandwich
Quiznos Turkey Bacon Guacamole Large Sub with Cheese and Reduced-Fat Ranch Dressing
4,670 mg sodium, 1,120 calories, 49 g fat,
8: Saltiest Pizza
Pizza Hut Meat Lover's Stuffed Crust Pizza (3 slices of the 14'' large)
5,070 mg sodium, 1,560 calories, 87 g fat,
7: Saltiest Comfort Food
Denny's Meat Loaf Dinner (with Mashed Potatoes and Corn)
5,080 mg sodium, 1,210 calories, 69 g fat,
6: Saltiest Salad
Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Florentine
5,460 mg sodium, 840 calories, 53 g fat
5: Saltiest Mexican Entrée
Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas
5,690 mg sodium, 1,730 calories, 107 g fat,
4: Saltiest Kids' Meal
Cosi Kid's Pepperoni Pizza
6,405 mg sodium, 1,901 calories, 93 g fat,
3: Saltiest Seafood Entrée
Romano's Macaroni Grill Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
6,590 mg sodium, 1,230 calories, 74 g fat,
2: Saltiest Appetizer
Papa John's Cheesesticks with Buffalo Sauce
6,700 mg sodium, 2,605 calories, 113 g fat,
1: The Saltiest Dish in America
Romano's Macaroni Grill Chicken Portobello
7,300 mg sodium, 1,020 calories, 66 g fat
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200905111.html
CSPI researchers examined 17 chains and found that 85 out of 102 meals had more than a day's worth of sodium, and some had more than four days' worth, including these:
* Red Lobster Admirals' Feast with Caesar Salad, Creamy Lobster Topped Mashed Potato, Cheddar Bay Biscuit, and a Lemonade: 7,106 mg
* Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas (with tortillas and condiments) and a Dr Pepper: 6,916 mg
* Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Seasonal Vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg
* Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) with a Breadstick, Garden Fresh Salad with House Dressing, and a Coca-Cola: 6,176 mg
* Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana with a Breadstick, Garden Fresh Salad with House Dressing, and Raspberry Leonade: 5,735 mg
Children eating at chain restaurants don’t fare much better than their parents or grandparents. According to the Institute of Medicine, children aged 4-8 should consume no more than 1,200 mg of sodium per day. These meals that have one or two days' worth of sodium:
* Red Lobster Chicken Fingers, Biscuit, Fries, Raspberry Lemonade: 2,430 mg
* Chili's Country Fried Chicken Crispers with Rice and 1% milk: 2,385 mg
* KFC Popcorn Chicken with Macaroni and Cheese, Teddy Grahams, and 2% milk: 2,005 mg
* Jack in the Box Chicken Strips Grilled, Buffalo Sauce, Fries, and 1 % milk: 1,980 mg
* Olive Garden Chicken Fingers, Fries, and Raspberry Lemonade: 1,835 mg
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