Friday, July 22, 2011

Food GETTING TO THE ISSUE

If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution.  ~Author Unknown

Why do people overeat?
If you tend to eat more then your body needs for good health and wellbeing, you may wonder why you can't just stop the mindless eating patterns.

There are many reasons someone has poor control when it comes to food.
Sometimes it's chemical:
We know that eating carbohydrates prompts the body into producing serotonin  in short bursts.  Serotonin is a feel good chemical (neurotransmitters) naturally produced in the body and  is the same chemical found in prescribed antidepressants.  You eat ..serotonin levels increase... you feel good.... the serotonin levels drop....you feel sluggish, let down....you eat some more...you feel good.... and so the cycle goes..

So food can make you feel better mentally and  act as an anti-depressant. 
Who doesn't want to feel happy, content and wonderful? 

Sometimes it is emotional:
Feeling sad, depressed, lonely may trigger you to eat more,
although this brings us back to carbs and serotonin. 
If food actually makes me happy physically and mentally why stop eating?  
You create a habitual pattern ingrained in your subconsciousness mind

Hypnosis can work on two levels to address this issue.  First by identifying the triggers (emotional and/or physical) and through forgiveness for self and others releasing the triggers that prompt the over eating and repatterning the neuro-pathways that make eating mindless and habitual.  On a second level the process of hypnosis has shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure, and serotonin and dopemine levels in the body.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

How large are your food portions?

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four.  Unless there are three other people.  ~Orson Welles

The USDA has realeased a new food guide... finally one that makes visual sense... we eat one meal at a time, usually on a round plate and understanding what a healthy portion size looks like is key to filling that plate properly.   Finally a guide that can be duplicated on your plate. As a home ec teacher, although I used the pyramid to help students sort food groups, we always used paper plates to plan a meal.. not only considering the portion size but the appeal of color combinations and even being able to image the flavors and how well they work together... Now my suggestion ,. when you sit down to enjoy your fantastic meal...use a smaller plate.. 9 inch is a good size..  

Friday, July 1, 2011

Open Exchange

Please read my article in Open Exchange http://www.openexchange.org/features/JAS11/calabro.html