Psychology of Eating

I believe there are many of us who are manipulated by food. Even when it comes to organic vs. non-organic; how can one distinguish the difference between the two? It is very difficult, especially when it comes to vegetables. In meats the sodium levels are higher, so it is noticeable from the taste. In addition, chronic dieters have a special way of eating, which is by time. There was UCSD study consisting of times to eat. There were two variables, one person was a chronic dieter, and the other person was normal. The time was 7 pm, so the clock was set back two hours, and the chronic dieter usually ate at 5. Then, the normal person was not hungry but the chronic dieter was, because they ate consistently by time. I believe chronic dieting can change your life dramatically and it puts so much focus around food and the things you eat. Soon, a person will also lose the connection with their stomach and start looking at external sensors, such as time. I am a true believer of the mind and body connection. When the mind has upsetting thoughts, the body follows it. This also can contribute to one's immunity, if your immunity is well, usually there is a high correlation with your spirit and being. For example, in India, there are ritualistic people who live on 3 almonds a day, but their spirt is so strong, they remain very healthy. For this reason, the psychology of the mind, body and spirit can relate to being a healthy individual!

The Biology of food and healthy eating stems from the pathological times. Today food is so processed that even pathological people would recognize. For example, they would probably think a Twinkie is used as a sponge to take a shower. Pathological people believed in eating food as a whole instead of manipulating it. They were also vagabond eaters and they would eat as they want and saw in small amounts. Today people eat very large portions in a small amount of time, this causes the stomach to expand, thus create extra weight. In addition, if one is getting too many nutrients then the excess is stored. This stored amount is then used during the time one is sleeping, thus creates the morning breathe. I believe if everyone ate in moderation, weight would not be an issue, but now the question is: what is a moderate amount? Well, it is not the feeling of being full but the feeling of being satisfied from the food you ate. I believe food is like god, and it works miracles, and beauty is truly inside out.

Now proper nutrition for a meal would consist of a carbohydrate, protein and a vegetable. Carbohydrates can either be complex or simple. Complex are most preferred because they digest slowly, thus they absorb more nutrients. These would consist of your: rice, potato, sweet potato, and other starches. Proteins consist of fish, poultry, beef, beans, and other legumes. My holistic doctor always use to tell me that there is "no protein like animal protein, because animal protein contains all the enzymes and amino acids." Proper nutrition is necessary for the skin, nails, and hair. Also brain health is a major factor of proper nutrition. There has been a critical study at UCSD dealing with ones brain and strong spirit. They say one who does not focus on the luxories of life such as: food, clothing, their body, and materialistic objects is more head strong than a person who does. In my next blog I will describe the psychological factors that take place in food and eating.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are the new major trigger in this generation. Not only are the stars having them, but millions of people are wanting to change their body image. According to Dr. Amanda Roberts there are 3 million who don't look like super models and 8 who do. I have personal experience with these kinds of disorders. I was lucky I didn't pro-long it because if I did I would have died. There are three- kinds of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, and eating-disorders not yet specified. Anorexia is when one is not happy with their image and even when they are thin, they still feel fat. They will obsess over the intake of calories and over-excercising. Bulimia is when one is not happy with their body image so they will throw up the food they eat. Other eating disorders, may include obsessive yo-yo diets, fad diets, or people who will do anything to look as thin as they want without caring about the side-effects.

Dieting has become the new phase in America, where food has become so abundant. I believe this is one of the major reasons eating disorders are becoming so popular. During pathological times food was not abundant so people were not able to want more than they had, they were able to appreciate just the amount they had. Today food has become abundant, so people never have enough. For example, McDonald, the burger went from 210 calories to 608 calories. Also the large serving of fries in the pathological times has become the small today. Today people manipulate their foods and don't consider their food as whole. For example, people today manipulate their food, so it is used as rewards, or excuses to eat. Food is catogorized by the amount of nutrients now a days rather than being considered as a whole food. I believe this is the major reason why people in America have eating disorders.