Let’s face it: we’ve all done it.
You’re hungry and craving a quick snack, so some instant noodles or reheated leftover pizza takes the place of something healthy. So here’s the bad news. Indulging in these processed foods regularly may have a negative effect on your overall health.
We already know that at least 60% of American adults are either overweight or obese. And yes, stating the obvious, millions of people eat fast food every day.
A large-scale population study conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney , concluded that eating highly-processed (ultra-processed) snacks can promote overeating, contribute to unwanted weight gain and even increase your risk of developing chronic disease.
The study was published in the journal Obesity.
Processed foods have become a staple in many people's diets due to their convenience, taste, and affordability. However, studies have found that consuming processed foods is linked to many health problems, including obesity. In this blog post, we will discuss a recent study that found a link between processed foods and protein hunger, a condition that contributes to overeating and obesity. We will explore what protein hunger is, how processed foods cause it, and the implications this has for our overall health.
What is protein hunger?
Protein hunger is the body's natural response to a lack of protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that is responsible for building and repairing tissues in the body. When we don't get enough protein, our bodies crave it, which can lead to hunger and overeating. Protein is found in many foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds. However, some foods, like processed foods, contain little to no protein.
How processed foods cause protein hunger? Processed foods are typically high in calories but low in nutrients, including protein. This lack of protein in processed foods can trigger protein hunger, causing individuals to consume more food than necessary. Additionally, processed foods are often high in refined carbohydrates and fats, which can also contribute to overeating.
Refined carbohydrates are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. This, in turn, triggers the release of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When insulin levels drop, it can cause hunger, leading individuals to eat more food.
Fats also play a role in the body's ability to absorb protein. Consuming too much fat can interfere with the body's ability to absorb protein, making it difficult to satisfy protein hunger. This can lead individuals to consume more food to feel satisfied, contributing to overeating and weight gain.
The implications of processed foods and protein hunger on obesity: The link between processed foods and protein hunger has significant implications for obesity. Consuming processed foods can cause individuals to overeat, leading to weight gain and obesity. A study published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that individuals who consumed a high-calorie, low-protein diet experienced more hunger and gained more weight than those who consumed a high-protein, low-calorie diet.
Additionally, consuming a diet high in processed foods is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Processed foods are often high in added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats, all of which can contribute to chronic diseases.
How to avoid protein hunger and overeating: The best way to avoid protein hunger and overeating is to consume a diet rich in protein, fiber, and whole grains. Protein can be found in many foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Incorporating these foods into meals can help individuals feel satisfied and avoid overeating.
Fiber and whole grains can also help individuals feel fuller for longer, reducing the likelihood of overeating. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Individuals should aim to consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day.
In addition to consuming a healthy diet, individuals should also avoid processed foods as much as possible. Processed foods are often high in calories, unhealthy fats, and added sugars, all of which can contribute to weight gain and chronic diseases. Instead, individuals should opt for whole, nutrient-dense foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients.
Conclusion: The link between processed foods and protein hunger is a significant finding that has implications for our diets and overall health.To save money and time, use frozen or canned versions of fruits or vegetables.
Drink more water
Water is the most natural beverage you can drink: It is free from harmful additives, sugars, artificial sweeteners or other unhealthy ingredients.
You also need to drink enough water every day to prevent dehydration. Staying hydrated may also help you achieve a moderate weight.
Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and store-bought fruit juices that have been linked to diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
If you are not sensitive to caffeine, unsweetened coffee and tea are also good choices. These beverages offer several health benefits.
If you don’t like drinking plain water, add sliced fruit or the juice of a lemon or lime to naturally add flavour to a glass of water.
Avoid processed foods like cookies and potato chips and prepare healthy snacks like veggie sticks with homemade dip to prevent overeating and avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Ian: I have been lucky enough to see this over 20 years ago and adjust my nutrition and lifestyle accordingly. It was obvious to me that Frankenfoods are absolutely bad for the body in a nutritional sense, but it was also obvious to me that the artificial chemicals we unwittingly but willingly ingests, must have a deleterious effect on our bodies, and, like all such things, create inflammation. I am often dismayed to stand behind someone in a supermarket queue and look at what they have bought and their body health. It’s just too obvious. There are still some doctors who insist that the body is quite capable of adjusting to the excess of metabolic and food and beverage acids that flood our modern body, but I look at the man or woman in the queue ahead of me and can’t reconcile their claims with the proof right before my eyes. eating natural food has always made sense to me. Our paleolithic metabolism hasn’t changed significantly for 100,000 years, and I’m reasonably certain that our ancestors NEVER ate anything like the rubbish that is labelled ‘food’ today. And I’m certain that if they did I probably wouldn’t be sitting here writing!
Personally, I also believe that most people live in a state of constant dehydration, because they insist on drinking almost anything with a brightly coloured label before they drink water. I drink what I like to call Primal Water, simply because it is as close to the water my paleo ancestors drank in an unpolluted chemical free world. It’s ultrapure, it is alkaline, and it holds the same sort of energy of the water that seeped from the cave my ancestors lived in! And they did OK, right?