The condition of the study participants was checked 3 hours after a meal or immediately after a meal by showing them pictures of food on a computer. Some of the pictures were of fatty or sugary foods, and some were pictures that were not food-related. Women had to click on the mouse as quickly as possible when the pictures appeared. In the images of food, some of the women slowed down their mouse clicks and admitted that they were feeling hungry (moreover, regardless of how long they ate). Mostly overweight subjects behaved this way.
Scientists have concluded that some people have a physiological predisposition to overeating, which causes a strong dependence on food.
How to deal with food addiction?
A key cause of food addiction is stress. Nutritionists offer a number of measures that can help you solve your food problems.
1. Find a compromise… If you cannot cope with stress, eat it with something healthy and light: cauliflower, seafood, fish, peaches, pears, citrus fruits, walnuts, honey, bananas, green tea.
2. Set a specific meal schedule… There should be a break of 2,5-3 hours between meals. Eat at specific times and avoid unplanned snacks.
3. Observe the diet at work… If you eat in small portions and drink 1,5-2 glasses of water during the day, the desire to eat at night after work will gradually disappear.
4. Adjust your biological clock… If you can’t control your nightly forays into the refrigerator, try to go to bed no later than 23:00 pm and sleep at least 8 hours a day.
5. Learn to relax without the aid of food: Going in for sports and walking will always help you cope with stress.
To determine if you have food addiction, take our test: “How addicted am I to food?”