Little Known Weight Loss Secrets: Part 2 - Can’t Eat Just One Syndrome

In part one of this series we looked at stress and its deleterious effects on weight loss. In this part we’ll take a glimpse at food addiction and how you can help beat the urge to indulge in the forbidden world of flavor enhancers. Have you ever wondered why you can’t have just one potato chip, or just one cookie? If so, you are one of the many who’ve fallen victim to the ‘can’t eat just one’ syndrome. There is a physiological reason why this occurs. Here is why.

Paul Stitt, a biochemist and food scientist says the reason for falling prey to the ‘can’t eat just one’ syndrome is due to a nutrient imbalance monitored by our appestat. The appestat is a small area in the brain that regulates nutrient levels in the blood. In his book, Beating the Food Giants, Stitt writes “Only when 51 nutrients are present at their proper levels will the individual feel entirely full and satisfied.”[4] Therefore, it’s very important to keep in mind that the body’s hunger mechanism is kept in check by nutrients, not just calories. [4]

So why do some foods short change the appestat? Food manufacturers have found a way to doctor the food we find on store shelves. Many of the packaged foods available to us have had certain nutrients removed and others added to throw off our appestat. The results of this food manipulation become obvious when you’ve reached the bottom of a bag of chips or you’ve eaten a half package of cookies. No matter how much you eat you’re not satisfied. You will do best to stay away from these foods.

Sometimes, as a result of mineral imbalance, your body can send signals which are misinterpreted. Chocolate cravings can indicate a magnesium deficiency. [1] People with low zinc levels tend to describe their food as being bland requiring more salty or sugary foods to enhance flavor. [3] You need to listen to your body. You may be getting cravings for a reason.

Sugar is one of the most addicting and craved substances in our food supply. We eat on average 149 pounds per person per year. [2] Ninety percent of my weight-loss clients struggle with sugars’ gripping temptations. This includes sugars in the form of refined sugar, starches and alcohol (yes, alcohol is a sugar). Sugar has a drug-like effect on the body disrupting homeostasis (balance in bodily systems). [2] One of its disruptions is with blood sugar levels.

Sugar creates a blood sugar high (hyperglycemia) shortly followed by a blood sugar low (hypoglycemia). The rise and fall of blood sugar creates monster cravings when we hit the low. The normal reaction is to reach for something sweet. This becomes a cycle of alternating high and low blood sugar which is shown to be very stressful on the body and contribute to weight gain. According to Nancy Appleton, supplementing with the amino acid L-Glutamine may help with sugar cravings. [2]

Food addiction is a real thing and unfortunately receives little recognition. In many cases it’s best to just stay away from the addicting foods. You wouldn’t recommend moderation to a recovering alcoholic or someone giving up smoking. So should it be OK for someone addicted to sugar? In part 3 we’ll look at sugar substitutes and their negative effects on weight loss and health.

[1] John Lee, MD. Optimal Health Guidelines. Sebastopol, CA: BLL Publishing, 1999.
[2] Nancy Appleton, PhD. Lick the Sugar Habit. Santa Monica: Penguin Putnam, 1996.
[3] Linda Lazarides. The Waterfall Diet. London: Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd, 2003.
[4] Paul Stitt. Beating the Food Giants. Manitowoc, WI: Natural Press, 1982.