Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cookies are Addictive!!

I've been reading the January edition of Reader's Digest. The cover caught my attention in the Eye Doctor's office (luckily it was in Large Print since he put drops in my eyes and I was not seeing clear at all). This time of the year, there is always much talk about diet and the article about "13 things no one ever tells you about weight loss" had lots of good information. The two that really caught my attention were "Cookie really are addictive" and "Pick a diet, any diet!" According to the Brookhaven National Laboratory, obese people have fewer dopamine receptors that help people feel pleasure and require more food to gain pleasure. I'm wondering if when you lose weight, you gain more dopamine receptors? I'm thinking not, since I can still easily eat my way through a thin mint sleeve in a matter of minutes and then feel awful afterwards. Really, I don't do that, but I can tell you I have thought about it. "Pick a diet, any diet" talked about four basic rules that apply to most successful diet plans. It ain't rocket science and it's easy to lose weight when the rules are followed. Whole grains, avoid trans fat, eat lean protein and fill up on fruits and veggies. It actually didn't mention anything about exercise! This can be done without exercise? Absolutely, but the movement helps make it easier, healthier, and faster in my opinion.

Now that I know cookies are addictive, I've off to make a batch that we put together for Christmas presents along with the soup mixes.

8 comments:

new*me said...

cookies are my weakness. I could swear off anything for life but if someone told me I could NEVER have another cookie again, I would be beyond sad. I really enjoyed Christmas cookies over the holidays but think I have gotten it pretty much out of my system :)

My strategy for not gaining 10 lbs due to excessive amounts of cookies during the holidays was to never be around them ALONE and hungry!

Andrew is getting fit said...

Of course cookies are addictive!

Anonymous said...

"I can still easily eat my way through a thin mint sleeve in a matter of minutes and then feel awful afterwards"

Can't we all?!

Tony said...

lol, I ate way too many cookies over the holidays. They are definitely addictive.

noelle said...

I hate it that some food is just modified to make it taste better and be that much more addicting...like McD's fries!

My WW leader has always said that it's possible to lose weight without exercise. But exercise relieves stress, gives us endorphins to feel better and leaves us with more energy...all reasons that we typically grab the wrong foods. All the more reason to go for a walk, huh?

Kathy said...

I don't know about addictive, but they are far too easy to eat and are calorie dense...a very bad combination.

Chellie has Issues said...

Yes they are and buying WW cookies isn't any better than any other cookie! The new peanut butter ones...yeah I could eat the box! Haven't, but I've thought about it too. Your daughter sounds too cute! I only have monsters, I mean boys, at my house!

Anonymous said...

I was reading pastaqueens book last night and laughed out loud when she talked about girlscout cookies and the fact she have eaten the SCOUT were the girl coated in chocolate and caramel :)