The Eating "Condition"

Our conditioned response to food starts early, very early. Emotional eating starts practically from birth.  When babies are born, their first instinct is to suckle. This forms a bond between mother and child and has a calming effect on both of them, it's pleasant, and immediately forms a connection between food and comfort (or pleasure). Unfortunately, from this point on, whenever a baby fusses, we continue the practice of putting something in their mouth, be it a pacifier, a bottle (hopefully not like the one in the picture above, haha) eventually a cookie, goldfish crackers, cheerios, etc. and it doesn't stop there. Once they are curious toddlers, we teach them that food is a cure for boredom by giving them "snacks" to keep them out of "trouble" while waiting in a line or waiting room or while shopping, or whatnot. As they get older we then begin to teach our children that food not only comforts or cures boredom but can actually cheer you up, "Awe, you didn't get picked for the soccer team, let's go get you some ice cream." Then it's a reward, "You got an 'A' on your test? Let's bake some cookies!" It's also celebratory, "It's your birthday, have some cake" "You finished pre-school, let's have a party (with cake)" "You learned to swim, let's go get pizza", get the drift?

As we become adolescents,  we use food as an activity, “Let’s meet up at the candy store in the mall” or “Let’s go hang out at Del Taco”. By young adulthood, food has so ingrained itself into our brains as something more, much more than nutrition, it’s almost as if it were our friend. It’s now capable of helping us win the affection of members of the opposite sex, girls give guys cookies & brownies and guys give the girls candy and take them to dinner. Even the old adage, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is sending home the WRONG message! FOOD IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!

It’s no wonder that we begin to “eat” our emotions. Food is the one constant in our lives that has always made us feel good, so we continue to turn to it again and again (notice that the word “again” contains the word “GAIN”?) Yes, once we stop growing and continue to use food for purposes other than just nutrition, we then gain. Of course, there are those of us who hit the “gain stage” early in life, but this is why there is a very high percentage of over weight adults. We take it as a “natural” process and just accept it as a normal part of aging. However, this is NOT “normal” aging!!!! IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!! Obesity is 100% CURABLE and PREVENTABLE!!! All it takes is a little awareness, education and re-conditioning of the brain.

3 Steps to re-conditioning the brain:

• THINK about WHY you are eating, is it for comfort, boredom, reward, socializing? None of these are reasons to eat. Then stop, even if it’s mid-bite... spit it out!! Seriously, do it!

• Make your food inconvenient. If you have to prepare what you’re going to eat (rather than open a wrapper, box or bag), you’ll have more time to think about what you’re doing and abort the "mission". Also, if you have to get veggies out and wash and prepare them, you probably won’t put forth the effort unless you’re truly hungry.

• Knowledge is Power. Learn about how the brain can produce pleasurable feelings by secreting chemicals into your blood as a response to physical activity (as opposed to eating). The double whammy here is that you’re taking in less calories and burning more, and as an added bonus, feeling better, on so many levels!!

Most importantly... Let’s STOP conditioning our children NOW so they, and generations to come will be healthier adults. It’s in our hands today, to literally change the shape of tomorrow!!