Like many vegetarians, I wasn't completely Vegan, but a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Even though I knew dairy should be cut out of my diet, I'd lapse and have a veggie pizza, yogurt or something else with dairy in it once in awhile. And then there was that sugar-problem haunting me, knowing better, but . . . .
After reading Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings, I now understand why I had a hard time completely breaking free of dairy products. By understanding the science of food, it made it easy to stop ingesting dairy products as well as foods with sugar and wheat.The book reveals how certain foods trigger the release of natural opiates in the brain, causing a physical addiction that can be difficult to break. Casein, a protein found in milk, breaks down into smaller molecules called casomorphins during digestion. Barnard states that these morphine-like compounds then attach to the same receptors that heroin attaches to in the brain which may explain why so many people are seemingly addicted to dairy products, especially cheese. Dr. Barnard explains how sugar, chocolate and meat are amongst the most addictive foods.
This knowledge altered my view immensely, actually making it easy to stop eating all dairy and sugar-laden foods. Reading Sugar Blues will also open your mind.
It's been two months and I no longer crave foods I formerly couldn't resist. More importantly I don't feel deprived of them - I simply am no longer interested in them. It's amazing.
I feel better and have lost weight without even trying. It's easy to change to a completely vegan lifestyle once you understand food addictions - and, as you've heard - changing your eating habits is the key. Along with a walk in the sunshine~
The knowledge in this book will help you break the cravings, not just fight the cravings.
Breakfast is important!
In a big bowl, I add
locally grown Organic Fruit in season,
Quick Organic Oats, (don't need cooking)
Organic hemp milk or another non-dairy milk
Locally grown Honey
Let it sit for awhile so the oats get soft.
I usually eat a few spoonfuls at a time,
get dressed, a few more, etc.
I'm satisfied til around 2pm!
Food is essential to life. Family & friends are lifes joy-filled toppings.
Get-togethers means eating, and eating healthy can be a challenge if you're not at home. So what I do is either eat before I go anywhere, or bring some yummy dish to share with others, thus making sure you have something on your new eating program to eat, and share with others. Going completely RAW VEGAN is now my mantra.
Breaking The Food Seduction offers lots of tips and quick, yummy recipes, as do Dr. Barnard's other books.
Also a good book to have around for reference is Foods That Fight Pain.
Dr. Barnard is the president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.
