Why we Eat too much - and how to control it

[Guest guest]

Why we eat too much, and how to get control

From CNN Health News:

Lack of sleep affects hormones that control appetite and satiety: leptin and

ghrelin

For a food-free way to perk up during the day, take a 10-minute walk outside.

Cortisol, together with insulin, causes your body to store more visceral fat

Your brain forms long-term memories of the experience of fat-rich foods

updated 9:29 a.m. EDT, Fri September 18, 2009

By Grumman

We all know we're supposed to eat healthy portions. So why is it that a rough

day at the office or even just the smell of chocolate-chip cookies can cause us

to throw our best intentions out the window?

If you overeat, think about what triggered your overindulgence so you can do

better next time.

We tapped the nation's leading experts for the unexpected reasons why so many

of us overdo it -- so you can break the cycle and prevent an unwanted pile-on of

pounds.

1. You're not getting enough sleep

Missing out on your zzz's not only puts you in a mental fog, it also triggers a

constellation of actual metabolic changes that may lead to weight gain. A lack

of shut-eye harms your waistline because it affects two important hormones that

control appetite and satiety--leptin and ghrelin--says L. Knutson,

Ph.D., a research associate specializing in sleep and health at the University

of Chicago's Department of Medicine. Health.com: Potential side effects of

sleeping pills

According to a study published in the ls of Internal Medicine, people who

slept only four hours a night for two nights had an 18 percent decrease in

leptin (a hormone that signals the brain that the body has had enough to eat)

and a 28 percent increase in ghrelin (a hormone that triggers hunger), compared

with those who got more rest. The result: Sleep-deprived study volunteers

reported a 24 percent boost in appetite. Short sleep can also impair glucose

metabolism and over time set the stage for type 2 diabetes, Knutson notes.

How to get control:

When we're exhausted, we hunger for just about everything in sight, especially

if it's sugary or high in carbs. That may be because these foods give us both an

energy boost and comfort (since lack of sleep is a stressor), Knutson says. To

quell the urge for fattening foods and still get the energy kick you need, reach

for a combination of complex carbs and protein.

" If you're feeling tired, you want carbs. But go for high-fiber carbs for

long-lasting energy, " says Keri Gans, R.D., a spokeswoman for the American

Dietetic Association (ADA). " Fiber burns slower than simple sugars, and adding

in some protein keeps you satisfied longer. "

At breakfast, have whole-wheat toast with egg whites or a high-fiber cereal with

fruit and a yogurt. And for a food-free way to perk up during the day, take a

10-minute walk outside. You also can prevent uncontrollable cravings in the

first place by prioritizing a good night's sleep -- get seven to nine hours a

night in a slumber-friendly bedroom (one that's as dark and quiet as possible

and reserved for shut-eye and sex only).

A final tip: If you're plagued by sleep problems, ask your doctor for a referral

to a sleep specialist. You may have sleep apnea, and this is a serious medical

condition.

2. You're sabotaged by stress

Constant stress causes your body to pump out high doses of hormones, like

cortisol, that over time can boost your appetite and lead you to overeat.

" Cortisol and insulin shift our preferences toward comfort foods--high-fat,

high-sugar, or high-salt foods, " says Elissa Epel, Ph.D., an associate professor

at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Psychiatry

and a leader of the UCSF Center on Obesity Assessment, Study, and Treatment.

Health.com: Feeling stressed? Why you may feel it in your gut

Fat cells also produce cortisol, so if you're overweight and stressed, you're

getting a double-whammy in terms of exposure. Overweight women gained weight

when faced with common stressors such as job demands, having a tough time paying

bills, and family-relationship strains, according to a study published in the

American Journal of Epidemiology.

Cortisol, together with insulin, also causes your body to store more visceral

fat, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, Epel notes. What's

more, stress makes it harder to stick with a healthy eating plan. " It's a reason

why people go off diets, " notes Marci Gluck, Ph.D., a clinical research

psychologist at the Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section of the

National Institutes of Health in Phoenix, Arizona. Folks who normally restrict

their eating, tend to overeat in response to stress.

How to get control:

Sure, real-life pressures can put you in nonstop-nibble mode. But working

stress-reduction techniques into your busy days can really help. Yoga,

meditation, and deep-breathing exercises are powerful tools that keep tension in

check. And spending 20 minutes doing progressive muscle relaxation--alternately

tensing and relaxing muscle groups--significantly lessens stress, anxiety, and

cortisol, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity

and Related Metabolic Disorders. Health.com: How to grocery shop on a diet

Exercise will also do the trick. " Try dancing to your favorite tunes, running in

place, playing a sport, or taking a simple walk, " says Zied, R.D., an ADA

spokeswoman and author of " Nutrition at Your Fingertips. " When you're feeling

edgy, make a habit of turning to these activities rather than diving into your

candy stash. If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by stress, talk to a

counselor who specializes in stress management.

3. You've got fatty foods (literally) on the brain

We're hardwired to hunger for fatty, sugary, salty foods because, back when our

ancestors were foraging for every meal, palatable eats meant extra energy and a

leg-up on survival, says Dr. A. Kessler, former commissioner of the Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) and author of " The End of Overeating: Taking

Control of the Insatiable American Appetite. "

So it's not just a lack of willpower that's tripping you up, but rather your

outdated survival mode. In fact, when you eat fat-rich foods, your brain not

only gets a signal that your body is satisfied but also forms long-term memories

of the experience, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the

National Academy of Sciences. What once helped early humans survive is now

giving us ever-expanding waistlines.

Adding to the challenge to control overeating, the mere sight of food can cue up

a craving. " [Cravings] are based on past learning and memories as well as the

sight or smell of food, time of day, or location, " Kessler says. " You'll walk

down the street and start thinking about chocolate-covered pretzels because

you've had them before on the same street. "

Health Library

MayoClinic.com: Whole grains -- Hearty options for a healthy diet

How to get control:

Avoid eating your favorite treat if you're in a particular mood, if it's a

certain time of day, or if you're in a specific place; this will prevent you

from creating a triggering link between those feelings or locations and that

treat, Kessler says. And since the smell and sight of fatty, sugary foods is

pure temptation, try to keep yourself from passing the bakery or ice cream shop

you can't resist.

Also, pay attention to what you're thinking when temptation strikes. " Once the

brain is activated [by a craving], having that inner dialogue of, 'No, I

shouldn't have that,' only increases the wanting, " Kessler notes. Instead, focus

on something you want more than that slice of cheesecake--from being healthier

for your kids to feeling less winded when you walk to work--to help override the

urge. Health.com: Surprising myths about excess weight

If logic is out the window, indulge in healthier versions of your favorites such

as low-fat frozen yogurt with almonds when you crave a sundae or a calcium-rich

glass of nonfat chocolate milk when you need a chocolate fix.

4. You Pigged Out -- Now What?

• Forgive yourself. " Having one overindulgent meal should not derail you from

your healthful eating habits, while being too negative will make you more likely

to throw up your hands in despair and overindulge at the next meal or several

meals for days to come, " Zied, R.D., says.

• Give yourself a do-over. Immediately start with lean protein, veggies, whole

grains, and fruit, and drink plenty of water, Zied suggests.

• Learn from it. Think about what triggered your overindulgence--not to punish

yourself, but to choose smarter next time. " If you keep a food journal, you

might see you ended up pigging out because you waited too long to eat, " Keri

Gans, R.D., says.

• Add on exercise. To feel in control again, simply tack on a few extra minutes

to your regular walk, gym routine, etc. At the same time, " try not to think of

exercise as a punishment for overindulging, " Zied says. If you do, you'll grow

to dread the gym