Now contrast that to the chocolate mousse I make as a dessert. It’s made up of avocado, banana, cocoa powder, honey, pure vanilla and plain Greek yogurt. It is so rich, creamy, and decadent, not to mention delicious! I top it off with crushed pieces of walnuts and fresh raspberries, and I feel like I’m indulging in a decadent dessert from a fancy restaurant. I love it! And I would love to scarf down an entire batch of it…except I can’t. After a small serving I honestly can’t eat anymore. I’m FULL. |
However, even though our bodies have had enough “energy,” it may not have gotten all the other nutrients, vitamins, minerals, important fat molecules, etc. that it needs to perform important body functions. Therefore, biologically, we want to keep eating. Eventually we stop because we are either so full, or the box is empty, or the plate is clean. I am living proof, that it is entirely possible to be overstuffed, but yet starving at the same time.
Then there is the fact that many processed and packaged foods contain harmful additives and preservatives that our bodies can’t even recognize or use in any way, so they just wreak havoc on our internal organ systems. Our bodies become very confused and don’t function properly. We might get sick, or feel bloated, or develop intolerances. Worse, we might end up with serious, and life-threatening diseases. Not to mention the fatigue that could set in. It makes sense: our poor bodies must be working overtime to make sense of all the junk that is being piled into them.
When we eat natural foods that our bodies actually recognize, we are essentially giving them more of what they need to function properly. Therefore, the need to overeat may no longer be there. At least, that has been my experience. I’m clearly not a doctor or a scientist. And I get that it is not quite so simple for everyone. Some people have true intolerances or medical conditions that necesitate a certain way of eating. And I am in no way suggesting that just simply "eating real food will cure all." No way. But I will say is that I have been able to observe some very real, positive changes in myself since choosing more natural foods. The most important change being that I just don’t seem to want or need to overeat anymore. For a lifelong binge eater, that’s saying something. |