There are many causes for unhealthy eating habits. Some are biological and some are psychological. Here are the most common ones:
1. It's a habit to eat bad foods. Some people are raised on regional/ethnic cooking that isn't always healthy.
2. It's convenient to eat bad foods. Can you name any health-food-drive-through chain restaurants in Canada?
3. It's a vicious cycle. People fall into a cycle of eating sugar, and the cycle perpetuates itself. When you eat sugar, you get a sugar rush, but a few hours later your blood sugar level drops and you crave a sweet or starchy pick me-up.
4. Hormones make bad foods look good. The changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, PMS and menopause can cause women to crave sweets and chocolate.
5. It's comforting to eat bad foods. Excessive stress elevates cortisol, which leads to cravings and often what is called 'emotional eating.' When people are stressed, depressed, anxious, or just low in serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine, they often reach for foods that pump up these feel-good chemicals. Too often, however, these foods are junk foods, processed foods, and foods high in sugar, making them unhealthy choices.
1. It's a habit to eat bad foods. Some people are raised on regional/ethnic cooking that isn't always healthy.
2. It's convenient to eat bad foods. Can you name any health-food-drive-through chain restaurants in Canada?
3. It's a vicious cycle. People fall into a cycle of eating sugar, and the cycle perpetuates itself. When you eat sugar, you get a sugar rush, but a few hours later your blood sugar level drops and you crave a sweet or starchy pick me-up.
4. Hormones make bad foods look good. The changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, PMS and menopause can cause women to crave sweets and chocolate.
5. It's comforting to eat bad foods. Excessive stress elevates cortisol, which leads to cravings and often what is called 'emotional eating.' When people are stressed, depressed, anxious, or just low in serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine, they often reach for foods that pump up these feel-good chemicals. Too often, however, these foods are junk foods, processed foods, and foods high in sugar, making them unhealthy choices.
Let's be honest. People eat bad food as well because it is much cheaper then eating things that are good for you.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed this so much this month as Paul and I have cut out food budget to make sure we will have lots of money for our trip.
You can't buy fresh food for the price you can buy canned foods or bags of chips.
Sometimes I think people are more in a rut of they can not afford anything better so they eat the crap that they can afford.
It's sad that our food industry is an industry where people are more concerned about the bottom line then the people eating their products.
yes, you are so right, it's the money thing too so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late on this conversation but I here's my two cents.
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks for the post. I think it's important to bring to light our poor eating habits.
Second, in regards to budget. While, yes it is more expensive to eat fresh foods, there are plenty of healthier options we can choose. Frozen vegetables, dried beans, brown rice - all inexpensive and nutritious.
Money is a cop-out.
Sorry. I feel strongly about this. I'm tired of hearing excuses for unhealthy eating habits.
it's true, even on a budget there are a lot of options that are better. not the best, but better! thanks for your input!
ReplyDelete