Food addiction knowledge and consequences

September 28, 2016

Food addiction knowledge and consequences. Like for instance leptin will help control the amount of food you eat for effective healthy weight management

Food addiction knowledge and consequences: Can food be addictive like other substances?

Generally the body of any human being needs sufficient fuel to remain operational. It is no secret that all the fuel for energies we need come from the food we eat meaning that food is very essential for human survival. So if food is that essential, then what is this madness called food addiction? Can food be addictive? Such concerns explains why we need to be well equipped with food addiction knowledge and possible consequences all the time. Ever since scientific evidence associated food with other addictive substances, the debate of food addiction has been on going and we are not lest out and so we ask “what do you know about food addiction?” and are you addicted to any kind of food?

I believe these concerns you too and that is why we are choosing this platform to inform you by way of equipping you with the something about food addiction. doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center says that, currently there are so many studies that have suggested that food and drug addiction have some common similarities more in relation to the way both reacts in the disruption of the brain which is involved in the pleasure and self-control. It will interest you to know that with the many discoveries; today the idea that an individual can be addicted to food has been receiving a lot of support from the scientific findings to the extent that experiments in animals and humans now shows that, for some people, the same reward and pleasure centers of the brain that are triggered by addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin are also activated by food, especially highly palatable foods which may include foods rich in sugar, fat and salt.

Food addiction knowledge and consequences: Dopamine triggers

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, in the same way addictive drugs reacts, highly palatable foods can also trigger the feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine. Therefore the moment people experience pleasures associated with increased dopamine transmission in the brain’s reward pathway from eating certain foods, they quickly feel the need to eat again. The reward signals from highly palatable foods may override other signals of fullness and satisfaction. As a result, people keep eating, even when they’re not hungry and that is one of the reasons as to why food addiction is real today. Besides that individuals who demonstrate signs of food addiction may also develop tolerance to food. That way they will be eating excessively more units of food only to find that they are not really getting the satisfaction from the food they eat despite the quantity and the frequency.

Food addiction knowledge and consequences: Obesity and weight related complications

With the advent of scientific findings, it is believed that food addiction may play an important role in obesity and weight related complications. Nonetheless people of normal-weight are not immune to this either they are also likely to struggle with food addiction as well. This may not be reflected in their weigh because many at times their bodies will be genetically programmed to better handle the extra calories they may take in. besides their body responding in their favor, they may also increase their physical activity to compensate for overeating. Doctor Akoury is very categorical that once addicted to food, such people will continue with their habits despite negative consequences like weight gain and dented relationships. And just like people who are addicted to other substances or gambling, food addicts will also have difficulties in stopping their behavior, even if there is evidence of willingness to cut back. That is why you need to seek for timely solutions with AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center today.

Food addiction knowledge and consequences: Can food be addictive like other substances?

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health

April 2, 2015

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating tips for better health

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health

Food is very instrumental in human life. The truth is it is one of the basic needs and the very important one. Without food there will be no life. It has a way for uniting people after long day’s work or taking time out as a team retreating for team building. We are all in agreement that food is very essential. However avoiding overindulgence in eating for better health is equally very important and that is what we want to discuss in this article. Because food is very essential, we must enjoy it to the fullest to get the pleasure and life we need from it. Nonetheless as we enjoy eating, we must be careful not to overindulge or consume without thinking of the consequences that can come with over eating on our health. Therefore we must be mindful of how we eat lest we cause problems to ourselves. Doctor Akoury is sharing some mindful eating tips that will help you in avoiding overindulgence in eating for better health.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Understanding what mindful eating is

It is good to appreciate what we are discussing first by understanding what it really means to us. I would define mindful eating as a practice where food is taken or consumed slowly and willfully without any interference. It helps you learn to taste and appreciate your meals while listening to your body so you become aware of the signals that inform you when you are full. This will enable you to consume only necessary portions and in return keeping distance to overweight and obesity. By making your meals a time when you sit down and really focus on your food, you can re-tune your taste buds and rediscover a love for healthy eating while moderating your portion size. Mindful eating could be the key to changing your relationship with food forever while achieving better health.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindless eating and how it happens

When we talk of mindful eating there must as well be the direct opposite. It is no wonder the advent of modernization is quickly changing our feeding habits. Eating has become something we do while on the move or concentrating on other tasks. This is what I define as mindless eating because, when we are distracted, we don’t taste what we are eating and don’t appreciate the signals the body is sending alerting us of when we have had enough to eat. To understand this concept better, the following are some of the prime examples of mindless eating:

Eating lunch at your desk while rushing to meet a deadline
Grabbing breakfast on the go while travelling to work
Eating while watching TV or using social media
Reading at the table

Often, we are not even aware of what we are eating and then wonder how we fell into unhealthy eating habits. The consequence of this confusion can be life threatening owing to the chronic nature of health complications associated with weight gain. With all these facts if mindless eating not checked, it can lead to health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. However with mindful eating, you can take control, improve your health and really enjoy your food.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Benefits of Mindful eating

It can take time to get into the routine of eating mindfully, but the rewards are numerous. The following just some of the benefits to be gained from mindful eating:

Appreciation of nutritious food
Through this you are able to prevent weight gain and obesity
Positive changes in eating habits
Regulation of portions – quality over quantity
Eliminate bingeing and emotional eating
Improved body awareness
Easier to maintain good health

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: How to eat mindfully

It may look quite obvious but you are wrong if that is your perception. Mindful eating is a process and takes time therefore for those who are new to the concept, it may be appropriate to try it when you are not in a hurry or in in any undue pressure of any kind so that you are able to take your time with your meal. Because this is very important, let me give you some of the guidelines for you to achieve on this assignment:

For full concentration turn off the TV, phone and all electronic devices and if you are a bookworm then put all the reading material aside.
Use a timer and set it for 20 minutes. Aim to take at least this long to eat your meal.
Take a few moments to enjoy the sight of the food on your plate. As the saying goes “The first bite is with the eye” so take it all in.
Smell your food. Enjoy the aromas and try to analyze the ingredients with your nose. Is your mouth watering yet? So far, so good.
Take your first bite, but don’t swallow it straight away. Chew slowly and savor your food. How does it taste? What ingredients can you identify?
Put your fork down between each mouthful and don’t pick it up again until you are ready for the next.
Be aware of your body signals. Once you feel full, stop eating.

Over time you will get used to eating mindfully and when this is achieved you will be less likely to eat in large quantities because you are eating in the moment without distractions. Mindful eating helps you to appreciate good food in small quantities over bad food in large quantities. With mindful eating, there are no forbidden foods because everything is enjoyed in moderation.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating exercises

Finally just like in all things practice makes perfection and mindful eating is not left out. The following are some of the take a ways you can practice for the perfection of mindful eating:

Instead of using a plate with a big circumference, take something small like a raisin, peanut, grape or pea. Eat it in tiny bites, fully analyzing how it looks, tastes, smells and feels.
Take a food item you normally feel guilty about eating and eat it mindfully. Did it taste as good as you anticipated? Did it make you feel as good as you expected? If the experience fell short of your expectations it may help you to shake off your emotional attachment to that food.
Take not of being conscious of every food choices you make throughout the day. There are more than you think.
Make a list of foods you really enjoy eating mindfully. Make another list of foods you find you don’t enjoy so much and eliminate them from your diet. As you become more attuned to your taste buds, you will find yourself choosing tasty, nutritious food and cutting out foods that are high in calories and low on taste.
Eat with your non-dominant hand. It takes longer to eat and discourages mindless eating.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating tips for better health

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight

February 18, 2015

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight: Which One Will Help You Lose Weight Faster?

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight. this should not confuse you, they are both very beneficial in weight loss

In your desire to lose weight, there is no doubt that you will meet these two weight loss components. Diet and exercise, and at some point of time you will be wondering between the two which one may work well for you. This is a genuine concern not just for you right now but to many people struggling with weight related complications. Therefore as we get into the discussion, I want to pose the same to you that “is it diet or exercise for weight in your case?” I believe that by asking that question your mind is moving in all direction trying to find the best answers whether it is the exercise or diet. But even as you battle with weight and all it accompaniments, these two words will continue to be here with us every day in our quest to lose weight and stay healthy.

It can be very frustrating to commit to an exercise schedule or diet plan working very hard to get in shape and when you evaluate your effort on the scale you discover that you haven’t done much and your weight is still intact or you have only managed negligible ounces. You then take your frustration to the mirror and in that influence of disappointment you brand yourself a failure and relapse immediately by ordering for a piece of pizza. This discouragement brings me back to the question is it diet or exercise for overweight? What exactly should you put your focus on in order to meet your goals? The answer to this riddle is both simple and complicated as we will find out in the discussion following.

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight: Listen to the professional’s opinion?

Doctor Dalal Akoury a re-known weight lose expert and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center states that it is all about cutting down on calories. And in fact this is the most effective way of losing weight all over. Therefore the key is to eat and drink less calories than you burn. Take for instance 3,500 units of calories equals approximately one pound of fat. If you were to cut down calories by 500 daily from your diet you will succeed in shedding off a pound of fat in a week much faster as oppose to trying to burn it off by engaging in physical activities. While appreciating the effect of cutting calories through healthy eating, doctor Akoury says that exercise is still very important in maintaining weight loss. As a matter of fact those who succeed in losing weight gradually with a calorie controlled diet be able to maintain their weight better be getting regular exercise. However when dieting is done in crash without exercise, the result may be increase in weight gain especially when the diet is stopped.

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight: Recognize where the difficulty is and find solutions

If you and your family are overweight, then you need to give it a different approach. The best approach would be a collective one where you sit in a round table to discuss and come up with a common working solution for all the group members. This should be an incentive for you especially if you and your partner have a family history of diabetes. This will give you an opportunity to talk about the effects of diabetes and educate yourself and your family about the risks of being overweight pointing out how being overweight can affect social activities, confidence, and energy. You can also highlight the benefits of eating healthier. Make a list of consequences of good eating verses bad eating.

Sugar and processed foods are probably two of the biggest obstructions in the effort to maintain a healthy weight. If you want to get in shape you’ve got to quit incapacitating yourself with the consumption of these two. It would be good if you cut out as much sugar and processed foods as you possibly can. If you can get your family on board (with your sales pitch at the family meeting), you can clean out your pantry and throw away the junk food that is making you unhealthy. The truth is the human body responds better to unprocessed foods that are low in fat, salt and sugar. It may be difficult but it will pay high health dividends in better health and greater happiness.

It is easier (and more permanent) if you do it gradually. If the family gathers around the TV to watch Sunday football with chips, sodas and greasy hamburgers, start by substituting leaner hamburgers, or substituting soda sweetened with stevia. Gradually work your way toward whole grain hamburger buns, chips that aren’t fried and adding a veggie tray to the whole spread.

Remember that in doing all these, not all the time will things go as planned and therefore you should expect some relapse. When this happens you may be tempted to give up but I want to encourage you not to. Such relapses are normal and are bound to happen. The only thing you need to do is to keep the spirit of losing weight. The focus should not change therefore keep trying to do a little better overall than you have done in the past year.

A final key to a healthy diet is portion size. Even though unprocessed foods tend to be lower calorie, they do still have calories. You will need to re-educate yourself about what a real serving size is. It is an excellent idea to buy a food scale and measure out your food at least until you get a good feel of how many calories are in the portions you are eating.

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight: But what about exercise

Getting regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It keeps your metabolism going as you seek to cut out the calories from your diet. It may be quicker to cut calories to lose weight, but if you are continually cutting calories without keeping your metabolism ramped up the calories you do eat will be with you for a longer duration.

A regular cardio workout helps to strengthen heart muscles, reduces the risk of heart attack, increase lung capacity, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and can help control diabetes. Another surprising result will be that you will sleep better.

Some other important benefits of exercise is that it will help you stay on your diet by reducing stress that might cause you to eat things you shouldn’t, it acts as a reminder of the connection between what you eat and how you feel, the increase of oxygenated blood to the brain helps you think more clearly, and exercise releases endorphins. Therefore if you’re still wondering whether it is diet or exercise for overweight, they schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today for further and more professional one on one evaluations and training.

Is it Diet or Exercise for Overweight: Which One Will Help You Lose Weight Faster?

Essentials of losing weight the healthy way

February 12, 2015

Essentials of losing weight the healthy way: How to lose safely

Essentials of losing weight the healthy way. Exercise is one of the fundamentals of losing weight safely.

I had once made a comment that the most valuable asset we can ever have cannot be quantified into monetary terms. That asset is your health and particularly the good health all year round. We all desire to have tis asset even though we meet many challenges on the way. One of the biggest challenges affecting good health is necessitated by being overweight. Any weight above BMI of 30 is considered very unhealthy yet our choices of life are directly leading us into losing the most valuable asset. Take a moment and ask yourself this question. Is there anything which can be done to prevent this? What are the benefits of eradicating overweight and obesity from our systems? And finally, are you bothered by these conditions? I believe I have got your attention and so we can move together in discussing the essentials of losing weight the healthy way.

The essentials of losing weight the healthy way are also the benefits. There will be no life if we can’t enjoy the benefits of having a good health. Therefore if you are struggling with weight gain at whatever level then you need to keep reading because doctor Akoury a specialist in weight loss is going to be taking us through the essentials of losing weight the healthy way. Being overweight can cause you your life due to the attachment it has with several chronic ailments. Take for instance when one loses some weight even though the direct benefit may not be quantified into monetary terms, it will be evident that such a person will begin feeling better in nearly all the dimensions of their lives. They will have more energy, experience an improved self-esteem and the automatic reduced risks of catching the very many life threatening diseases associated with overweight and obesity. Further to this if for example your BMI is 30 and on average you reduce your weight by say 10% the benefits are likely to include:

Like I had said you reduce the risk of contracting all the health complications associated with weight gain like diabetes and heart diseases.
For those already suffering from conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, or diabetes, there will be great improvement on these individual conditions and this will result in great financial savings since you will have to reduce the dosage you take.
With reduced risk this can only translate into prolonged life because you are less likely to die from the effects of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or obesity related cancers.

However if your BMI is more than 35, it may be possible that you are already suffering from health conditions related to being overweight. In this state you will most likely need to lose between 15-20% of your original weight to have a sustained improvement in these health problems and other health benefits. Losing this quantity may not be very easy for many people. But it is very necessary by all standards because we are making all the possible efforts to safeguard the most valued asset in human life. Even though it may be difficult, it is not impossible. That is why doctor Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This facility is the home of all weight loss solutions and the main objective here is to transform each individual’s life no matter who you are, where you’re coming from or what you do. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts are committed to reinstating your health through various natural means including increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. In our practice we desire to zealously focus on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices which will address and deal with the primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. We are very flexible to your individual’s needs and will handle case by case professionally and with great confidentiality. Therefore if you or anyone you know is suffering from any health condition that is weight related, then we are here for you. We want to help you get your life back and live it to the fullest. All you need to do is to schedule for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of Doctor Akoury’s care, and we will address your situation timely.

Essentials of losing weight the healthy way: How can one lose weight?

I will repeat this because it is very important in keeping the most valuable asset we have as human beings. Losing weight is not negotiable if we have to have this good health back. We appreciate the concerns you have but remember that not everyone would be willing to cope with the requirements of losing weight in the same manner. Some may lose weight by strict adherence to dieting for a short period. However, as soon as their diet is over, they may go back to their old eating habits and restock their lost weight back. This can be very demoralizing. However we must appreciate that it will take not just your consent to lose but also great commitment and absolute turn around in your lifestyle. Therefore I suggest that when opting for change of lifestyle, the following observations will be very necessary:

The type of food and drink you buy for your daily consumption.
The type of meals that you eat either outside or at home
Your pattern and frequency of eating
The amount of physical activity that you do

To help you lose it will be very important that make the following observations before you can start:

Motivation is crucial: it is important to note that no weight loss plan will work unless you have a serious desire to lose weight. You need to be ready and motivated.
Monitor your current food intake: it will help you a greatly to know exactly how much you are consuming currently. Therefore keeping detailed records of everything that you eat and drink over an average week is more helpful.
Aim to lose weight gradually: it is best not to lose weight too fast. Aim to lose an average of 0.5 to 1 kg per week (about 1-2 lb per week).
Set clear goals with a realistic timescale: it is important to set a clear and genuine weight loss goal. As mentioned above, in most cases, health benefits can be gained from losing the first 5-10% of your weight.

Finally, I want to further appeal to you to stay on the link and get more informative health information. And always consult with the professionals for direction in every step you take towards losing weight.

Essentials of losing weight the healthy way: How to lose safely

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration

February 6, 2015

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration. this should be the concern for all parents if we are to bring up healthy children

We have been discussing issues touching on weight again and obesity for some time now. All that we have said are actually very useful if we desire to remain in good health. In this article however, we want to change the flow of weight gain and look at the direct opposite. In other words when children grow they tend to respond to the environment differently. Many children up on reaching a given age may without notice show signs of dislike for food. In fact statistics has it that four out of five parents are very concern about the feeding habits of their children. Ordinarily it is not very usual for a child to like a given food today and wake up tomorrow disliking the same. Nonetheless children often rejects taste of certain food mainly because of behavioral issues, the child had eaten somewhere or just being honest that particular food is not their favorite. Whichever the child’s reason, food is very important in the general growth and development of our children. To avoid instances where instead of dealing with obesity, we are going to deal with instance of underweight, we want to address the issues surrounding the possible remedies for children fussy eating and hydration. Doctor Dalal Akoury is speaking to us about the possible working ways through which we can address this concern. While it may be true that a child who refuses food may be trying to assert independence to see how you will react, this kind of behavior must be dealt with professionally less we end up with health conditions which are associated to underweight. Doctor Akoury shares the following heath tips to help you keep fit and healthy.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Here are some tips to cope with fussy eating behaviors

To ensure that your child feeds well, it is very important that everyone who feeds your child agrees on how to deal with your child’s requests and refusals. For instance, you may opt for a 20 minute time limit on mealtimes to prevent them dragging on, or you may decide that any requests for a different meal will be not met. The same guidelines should also be adopted by those who help your child at mealtimes so it’s persistently reinforced.

Staying composed in dealing with your child’s food fussiness is very ideal. The more fuss that is made in return and the more emotional you get, the more charged meal time will become and your child will realize their behavior is getting the attention they desire. By remaining calm, you will help to diffuse the situation and your child will realize their behavior isn’t getting them any extra attention.

As the children grow up to teenage shift the plan a bit and serve them equal portions as the rest of the family. Remember that it’s best to avoid getting stuck in the habit of taking special requests.

Spending some time with your children while eating can be very splendid in many ways. Therefore it is important to make meal times a happy time for the family. Noting that when it becomes stressful the child may not enjoy it and neither will you do.

Be consistent even if the child rejects certain food stuff. Ordinarily children will take up to ten trials before they can start enjoying the new food.

A little trick can work well for you when introducing new menu. Do this when the child is hungry, at this time it is possible that they will make effort to eat something new on an empty stomach.

Remain firm and do not offer a replacement food if what you offer is rejected. However when the child is sick don’t starve the child because they won’t starve themselves either.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Children & hydration

Having looked at certain reasons why children may refuse to eat and what needs to be done. We want to look at another segment that can cause real health problems if not addressed in children. Water is life for real and the human body is 70% water. This priceless commodity has many important functions in the body, including;

Regulating your body’s temperature
Digesting food and
Excreting waste

Your body loses water throughout the day when you sweat, breathe and urinate. These lose needs to be replaced from time to time to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Did you know that children are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults? This is because in relation to their size, children have a larger proportion of their skin available to lose sweat and be exposed to heat. Additionally, children don’t always recognize that they’re thirsty, and if they’re not encouraged and reminded may forget to drink. Luckily, there are a few ways to tell if your child is hydrated. Remember that a dehydrated child will most likely suffer the consequences associated with weight health conditions.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How do I know if my child is hydrated?

Frequent bathroom breaks or wet nappies are the easiest way to tell if your child is hydrated. You can also look out for these common symptoms of dehydration:

Headaches
Poor concentration
Thirst
Cracked lips
Dry mouth
Constipation
Lethargy
Dark urine

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How much water does my child need?

Like I had mention water is life, therefore the amount your child needs will depend on their age, size and level of activity. For children under 8 years of age, at least 4-6 glasses of water are recommended. For children older than 8 years of age a minimum of 6-8 glasses is recommended.

If your child is playing sports or is very active they will need extra fluid, see our section on hydration for active kids. Kids will also need more fluid on hot days or when unwell.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips to help your kids stay hydrated!

Pack a water bottle for school and when you go out. Try a frozen water bottle in summer.
Encourage your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity
Always offer water with meals and snacks
Encourage your child to drink water, even if they don’t like it!

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips for kids who don’t like water

Try adding slices of fruits such as lemon or orange to water, for variety and flavor.
Let your kids choose their own drink bottle or serve water in colorful glasses or jugs.
Be a role model! Make a point of drinking water with your kids.
Experiment with temperature; try having a jug of water in the fridge, adding ice-cubes, or even warm water in winter.

Water is the best choice to keep your kids hydrated throughout the day. It contains no extra energy and can quench your thirst. Other fluids such as milk, juice and sweetened drinks can also contribute to your child’s fluid intake. Remember to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for professional input in case of underweight or overweight in your children as a result of their feeding habits.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

Tag Archives: Food and Diet