Gotta have it? Psychiatrist-author believes four types of food are addictive

Deseret Morning News ^ | Lois M. Collins

[ChemistCat]

A lot of people like apples, oranges and bananas, but they would never make a late-night run to the convenience store to get one.

That's because those foods, though both tasty and healthful, are not "addictive," according to Dr. Neal Barnard, adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. His recently published book is apt to prompt heated discussion in nutrition circles.

He believes four food types are addictive: meat, cheese, sugars and chocolate. He also believes that many people are addicted to those foods and don't realize it.

(snip)

...Barnard describes a patient who takes Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering medication, who has a stent in his arteries because of narrowing, who has high blood pressure, diabetes, gout. "Most doctors view these as separate medical conditions. The key thing is to recognize that the person is habituated to foods that resulted in those things occurring together. You must deal with the substance that brought you down this path," he said. "Most people are hooked on one of those types of foods."

While Barnard said his message is "not blame or guilt," he notes that Americans have been taught that those foods are OK, without recognizing the problems they can cause in someone who is addicted.

...People need to decide if they want to do something about it, he said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News.....

[ChemistCat]

The PETA connections are interesting, and certainly relevant to deciding what truth there is to this, but this guy doesn't seem as pushy as some about dissing meat. Vegetarianism isn't a religion but sometimes you wouldn't know it...I'm surprised actually that vegans don't go door-to-door, handing out pamphlets about dietary salvation. Atkins supporters, too, for that matter! "I have been saved!" (Well, some of them have been, from a purely mortal perspective!)

It's true that we don't get up in the middle of the night and go to the store to buy apples! I just don't see meat and cheese as being as addictive as high-fat, high-carb stuff like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream...which we're out of. Darn.

I do think that diet is important to health and that we eat our way into many chronic diseases. Just don't tell me you "know" something is bad for me if you don't have solid evidence. I can look at someone on Atkins or Carb Addicts and see that it is working...but then six months later he's off it, and feeling rotten and heavy again.

[Clock King]

Americans just need to get off their fat asses and exercise more. My grandparents lived until their 80's and 90's eating hog-mog, bacon, pigs'-feet, etc... The difference is their generation didn't sit in front of a computer all day.

[ChemistCat]

My grandparents were all obese yet physically active, and lived till their 80s and 90s, so what's your point?

[Lil'freeper]

He also believes that many people are addicted to those foods and don't realize it.

Addicted to food? Shocking. Just shocking.

[jennyp]

His studies have gradually led him to embrace a vegan diet, which means he doesn't eat any animal products. That's where some of the criticism of his work comes in. Nutritionists don't all agree on what's healthy. Many believe you need dairy or the protein obtained from eating moderate amounts of meat. Others say he's disguising an agenda that is as political as it is medical. His comments on cheese addiction quoted in August in a front-page article of The Capital Times and the Wisconsin State Journal drew a response from James Robson, chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, that accused Barnard and his physicians committee of pushing a thinly-disguised PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) agenda.

Robson called the committee "nothing more than a front for the activist animal rights group" and said that four years ago PETA donated nearly $1 million to a group of which Barnard and the PETA president are co-directors. That group, in turn, gave the committee nearly $600,000, he said. And Barnard is PETA's "medical and scientific adviser," he said.

I'm really glad the reporter mentioned this! Kudos to Lois Collins. Reporters never mention PCRM's ties to PETA nor their vegan agenda when they do anti-Atkins stories like this.

[jennyp]

I can look at someone on Atkins or Carb Addicts and see that it is working...but then six months later he's off it, and feeling rotten and heavy again.

Well, if I ever went off my low-carb diet, I'd start feeling rotten & heavy too! But that would be the fault of...?

[FixitGuy]

"He believes four food types are addictive: meat, cheese, sugars and chocolate. He also believes that many people are addicted to those foods and don't realize it."

Suddenly I'm craving a piece of mincemeat pie with chocolate sauce and a piece of cheddar on the side. (coffee optional)

[tx_eggman]

Make mine Highland Park 25-year old single malt and a medium rare black angus ribeye - medium rare

[browardchad]

He believes four food types are addictive: meat, cheese, sugars and chocolate.

Right, I can't tell you how many times I've run out at 3 a.m. for a slice of cheddar or a hunk of swiss. Sugars and chocolate are addictive, yes -- meat and cheese? Usually if it's wrapped in a high-carb roll with high-carb, sugar-laden ketchup and relish.

One of my kids had wheat and milk allergies, and so visits to McDonald's meant ordering a hamburger without the roll, which was usually greeted with the same look of amazement as you'd give a space alien.

This guy's agenda is showing.

[Clock King]

My point is that ALL of these studies are garbage. Esp. from the left-mind extremists like PETA, vegans, etc. I have no problem if you, the individual, choose a vegan lifestyle. I can get behind that. But to try to force or shame others into it is despicable. There are only two things you need to know about nutrition:

1)know your OWN body (what YOU can handle, what YOU can't, what YOU are allergic to, etc.)

2) EVERYTHING in moderation.