How To Fix Your Gut
You were set up to fail. Do you know the Lays potato chip slogan? "Betcha can't eat just one". And they are right! Because first one just gets stuck in your teeth it takes 5 just to have a decent swallow. Foods like this are readily available and so addictive. This is not an accident. Companies that make these foods study neurophysiology and evolutionary biology. Ancestors that put on fat quickly were more likely to survive winters, famine and harsh times. It is an adaptation that can negatively impact us in this more sedentary day and age with a wide range of highly palatable food available all year long. Ironically you will hear doctors say, "Eat less; move more" and "Everything in moderation". There is no moderating addiction! There is no exercising away all those extra calories. Overeating these types of foods is not your fault and you are not a bad person. You have genes and billions spent in research working against you. It is the trifecta of fat, salt and sugar that turns on the dopamine centers of your brain. It is why sugar tastes so good late at night or when you are stressed. The packaging is even visually appealing with bright colored wrappers, maybe reminding you of fruit that is ripe and juicy. You are not a bad person for overindulging; the system is built on the fact that you will.
Did you know your gut microbiome is related to depression and anxiety? I know this first hand. I used to be on 3 medications for both until I changed my diet. I don't recommend this, but I stopped cold turkey. Doctors likely won't challenge you or question your food choices because it really is an emotionally charged issue that they won't touch until there is no other alternative. In my opinion that is the FIRST place they should investigate if they are interested in fixing the problem, not merely masking the symptoms.
My first attempt at cleaning up my diet was doing OMAD (one meal a day). It was a well-intentioned, although mis- guided, attempt at trying to regulate something that seemed out of my control. I did not grow up in a diet-culture household, thankfully. I think most of the reason we didn't have sugary cereal and soda was more of a financial issue than a health conscious one, but there was not 'good' food or 'bad' food for me growing up. So, for my one meal a day I ate as much of whatever I wanted; Afterall, this is my only meal! Needless to say, I did not see fat loss or much change at all. It wasn't until I cut out bread, rice and pasta that I started noticing a difference. I started avoiding processed sugar and felt better! Then, once I figured out protein and fat were my best friends, I really started to heal. My mood and energy improved drastically.
Did you ever consider why grocery stores are all set up in basically the same pattern? Milk and dairy in the back to get you to pass by all the goodies you might grab on your way. Fruit and meat are usually on the edges. What is in the center? All the things I don't eat anymore! And you don't have to either. So shop on the edges. Get the fresh, whole, 'alive' foods that satisfy and stop feeling bad about dabbling in the junk food and wondering why you cant stop.
