We've all done it.  Eaten food that we know we shouldn't.  Or consumed so much food we feel terrible throughout the day.  The question is, why do we continue to repeat this cycle on a regular basis?

Fortunately, science has an answer.  Neuroscientists have found that certain combinations of fat, sugar, and salt stimulate the brain dopamine pathways.  The dopamine pathways lead to the pleasure centers of your brain.  These are the same centers that are stimulated by drugs and alcohol.  Essentially, foods that are high in salt, sugar, and fat produce an addictive reaction.  Just as an alcoholic or heroine junkie pursues their drug of choice, you may pursue processed and fast foods.

Why is it that processed and fast foods are full of salt ,sugar and fat? The answer is simple.  Number one: the processed food and fast food industries are well aware of this research.  Just like the cigarette companies that add addictive nicotine, it is in the food industry's best interest to produce a product that has addictive ingredients.  Number two: the goal of a food manufacturer is to design a good tasting food and produce a profit.  Salt, sugar, and fat solve this problem for the food manufacturers as they are cheap substances that significantly improve the flavor of food.

So how can you avoid falling prey to addictive foods?  The answer is simple but difficult to follow.  The only way to stop an addiction is to stop engaging in the addictive behavior.  The longer you go without eating these foods the less difficulty you will have avoiding them.