I grew up on Spam, Bologna, Twinkies, and Vienna sausages. I would cut up a large slice Spam or bologna, throw them in a skillet and when they were close to nice and brown, I would put a hunk of Velveeta cheese on top of each piece of (meat?), and cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the cheese. Once done, I would place the bologna and cheese or Spam and cheese between two mustard lathered pieces of bread and eat myself sick. Unfortunately, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Later in life, I have learned the dangers of eating processed food such as the increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and the strong relationship to certainmental health disorders (BMJ, 2024). I still do not understand how something that tastes so good can be so unhealthy to eat.
We associate certain foods with certain emotions, thoughts, and experiences. I think sometimes, while under stress, we eat to self-soothe. Also, some foods are addictive. I swear potato chips have to be addictive. I never met a chip I did not like. Research shows that sugar is addictive. Not to sound like a conspiracy type person, I think the food industry somehow manufactures foods that are addictive especially certain processed foods. I know that we must eat to live so there is that unavoidable built-in mechanism to our physiology but there must be some addictive additive in certain processed foods.
One of the many hats I wear is that of being certified in the treatment of substance abuse and addictive disorders. Addiction causes neurobiological changes in the brain. The body releases dopamine not only when certain substances are ingested but when we encounter certain experiences associated with the addictive substance. Dopamine is the “feel-good” neurochemical which brings on feelings of pleasure and motivation. Dopamine addiction happens when a person becomes dependent on substances or activities that increase the production of dopamine leading to obsessive behaviors despite negative consequences. Eventually dopamine no longer leads to pleasure yet more and more is needed to buffer the pain due to the ineffectual neurophysiological impact of dopamine.
Certain foods and behavior can feel so good but be so unhealthy at the same time. Processed foods trigger the release of dopamine in the brain and ultra-processed foods are absorbed quickly which releases dopamine faster that other foods which make them even more addictive. Ultra-processed foods have high levels of fat and sugar which trigger a large dopamine response which is like the neurobiological response of drug abuse.
Try ways to increase lifespan and the quality of life. Ways to cut back on ultra-processed foods could include swapping out packaged snacks for fruit, nuts, or seeds. Also read labels before buying and avoid foods that contain ingredients you cannot pronounce. Choose healthy ways to produce dopamine such as exercise, laughing, walking in nature, being with the ones you love, pray and meditate, do something altruistic, and/or just do some healthy activity that brings you joy and pleasure.
