Many people are aware that food companies work around the clock to make unhealthy items appealing to consumers. Consider the following slogans used on food packaging and TV/internet advertisements:
“I’m lovin’ it”
“They’re gr-r-great!”
“Finger lickin’ good!”
“They’re magically delicious!”
“The Breakfast of Champions”
“Betcha can’t eat just one!”
Many food producers have purposefully crafted appealing jingles and lyrics to appeal to your brain’s pleasure regions. Many people are being indoctrinated by these sophisticated marketing operations in a very genuine sense.
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The “Bliss Point” was discovered.
For decades, scientists have been studying what causes cravings. Howard Moskowitz, a mathematician, discovered the ideal combination of sugar, salt, and fat to increase the brain’s pleasure experience in 1970. It was termed the “bliss point”
The bliss point can heighten sensory experiences, such as taste, as well as stimulate parts of the brain linked to motivation and pleasure. These are the same areas that addictive substances like cocaine, nicotine, and morphine affect. Despite this, the unfortunate reality is that some food producers develop meals to hook your brain in the same manner that narcotics do.
Taking Over Your Taste Buds
It is not an exaggeration to say that the food industry has taken over many people’s taste buds in our society. There are various ways to elicit cravings, all of which can lead to food addiction. Here are a few examples:
Aroma
Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or savory are the five primary taste buds of humans. Though many foods are designed to appeal to our taste buds, our sense of smell may also be used to enhance flavor. Smells, like movie theater popcorn, might elicit desires.
Crunchiness
The ideal breaking point for crunchy delight is four pounds per square inch.
Meltiness
Foods that melt easily in your mouth can fool your brain into thinking there are fewer calories, leading to you eating more of them.
Satiety
This is when a person feels satisfied and full after eating a meal. Some foods, especially those with a lot of added sugar, might override these satiety signals and trick your brain into believing you’re not full when you’re full.
Sugar
Sugar has been discovered to be an addictive drug that causes bingeing, reward-seeking, and yearning. Unfortunately, many “healthy” meals include hidden sugars that can cause cravings and mood swings.
Texture
To make foods more palatable, Food brands and fast-food restaurants change the texture of the foods, which can result in less fiber than desired. Unfortunately, a diet lacking fiber can lead to stomach issues, abdominal pain and discomfort, and poor gut health.
Whose fault?
You may blame yourself for a lack of self-control or portion control. But how can you have self-control when food industries have been plotting against your diet and your brain for decades using advanced neuroscience?
Because food has such a large impact on your physical and mental health, you must support your diet and brain health in any way you can.
Here’s how you can retrain your taste buds by regulating what you eat…
Super Breakfast
The first meal of the day is significant in establishing the tone for the remainder of the day’s meals. Sugar, which can be found in bread, jams, and orange juice, can give you a temporary energy boost followed by a crash.
A breakfast high in protein (eggs, lean meats) will help to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Green vegetables and low-glycemic fruit (berries and apples) can also be added to a protein smoothie for a nutritious start to the day.
Quality fruits
Blueberries, pomegranates, squash, and bell peppers are examples of fruits and vegetables that come in a variety of colors and flavors. Flavonoids, antioxidants, and a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that enhance good health, can be found in these foods.
High Protein
Every meal and snack should include some form of high-quality protein (at least every 4 to 5 hours). Protein can help reduce cravings by balancing blood sugar levels. When you eat a protein-rich meal or snack, you’ll likely feel satiated for longer and burn more calories than if you have high-carb, sugar-filled meals.
Protein can be found in nuts, seeds, and legumes. Many portions of meat are high in protein and amino acids, including wild-caught fish and free-range fowl. Make sure you get protein-free of hormones and antibiotics.
More Fiber
To achieve a balanced, nutritious diet, fiber and protein should be eaten together. Including enough fiber in your diet can help to control indigestion, heart issues, bowel irregularity, diabetes, and obesity.
Fiber absorbs water and adds bulks to make you full for a longer time. The longer food stays in your system, the fuller you’ll feel and the less likely you’ll have a blood sugar spike, which occurs when food digests quickly and glucose is released into the bloodstream.
Healthy Substitutions
Replacing simple sweets and processed carbs with healthier alternatives is an excellent method to retrain your taste buds. Swapping candies for a square of sugar-free dark chocolate, for example, can help you break your sugar addiction.
Boost your energy with a healthy snack like two slices of lean deli turkey and a dozen grapes instead of a candy bar or energy drink. This well-balanced snack has plenty of protein and fiber to keep you going until your next meal.
Summary
A better diet will help you get the nutrients your body needs for proper growth and brain functions. Replace fatty foods and sugary snacks with nutritious foods that include high-quality protein, healthy fats, and fiber as one of the greatest ways to retrain your taste buds.
Try these tips and share them with your loved ones.
