You might have been telling your friends that about your pizza addiction for years, thinking it was just hyperbole, but science has got your back. A new study published in scientific journal PLOS ONE has found that food addiction could be an actual thing.
Photo: Pixabay
According to the study, “food addiction” is characterised by:
- loss of control over consumption
- continued use despite negative consequences
- inability to cut down despite the desire to do so
The increased impulsivity associated with addictive-like eating is similar to the behaviour observed in substance-abuse disorders. The researchers asked students about their eating habits. It may come as no surprise that plenty of students said they had trouble resisting foods they knew were unhealthy.
The researchers compared 35 different kinds of food ranging from fried chicken and french fries to apples and broccoli. The results found pizza to be the most addictive food, followed by chocolate, chips, cookies, and ice cream. But what do these foods have in common? For starters, they’re all highly processed foods, or foods with high amounts of fat and/or refined carbohydrates. Also, foods which carry carbohydrates that are rapidly absorbed into the system were found to be the most addictive.
Photo: Pixabay
Food addiction: so how do we battle our addictions?
If you just can’t quit your pizza habit, it’s best to mix things up. If you’re eating a pizza, enjoy it with a side salad, which will counter the addictive properties of your cheesy meal. You could also opt for healthier alternatives, such as more nutritious baked veggie chips instead of your typical potato chips.
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