Take a look in the aisles of the grocery store. We see “fat-free”, “sugar-free”, “carb- free” , and “calorie-free” everywhere. It takes more effort to find the “chemical-free,” doesn’t it? But that is what we truly need in America right now. Foods are becoming more and more chemically altered in an effort to help us lose weight, yet obesity rates continue to soar higher and higher. This is not a coincidence.Here’s the thing about hunger. Hunger isn’t influenced by willpower as much as it is influenced by hormones. Two major hormones, ghrelin and leptin, influence your cravings. Leptin is a hormone produced by your fat cells, which tells your body that you are full. Ghrelin is responsible for telling you that your body is hungry. These two hormones have to be in constant neurological balance for you to know when you are truly hungry and when its time to put down the fork.
Chemicals in these “weight-loss foods” can even cause us to get fat. Many diet foods are laden with artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. Just recently the Corn Refiners Association petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rename high fructose corn syrup to “corn sugar” in an effort to persuade the public into thinking it is a natural product. Don’t be fooled! These poisons will actually remain in the body and interfere with the sensors that react to leptin. The overall effect of this is constant hunger, even if your body’s needs have already been met.
