New Program Helps Grand Rapids Shop Healthy

A couple years ago I lost 120 pounds (but still at my current weight I am considered obese by U.S standards).  I always thought I was a pretty smart girl, but when it came to food and eating right and portion size, I just didn't have a clue.  I also didn't understand that "I am a food addict."  I am a food addict like an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol, or a drug addict is addicted to drugs.  My drug of choice was and will always be food.  When you are a true addict and you get one addiction under control oftentimes the addiction will jump to something else.  If it's food it can jump to sex, or work, or alcohol or drugs, mine in the beginning jumped to diet soda, and then swimming.  None is better than the other.  Happiness and success comes from moderation.  But still there are trigger foods I cannot have in the house and one of them is potato chips.  It just sets something off in my brain.

Now studies show that there is such a thing as food addiction.  In the past people felt like failures and felt weak because they could not control their eating.  It's not a cop out it's fact.   In fact the same part of the brain lights up when you give into food cravings, like and alcoholic's lights up when he or she takes a drink.

It helps me understand that this will be my battle for the rest of my life.  I will never be cured of it but I will have to be aware of it and handle it.

Well, there's a new program in our area that can help you get a grip on eating properly too!  The Kent County health Department has started a program called Resolve To Eat Better.  It educates people and helps them to stay on top of their goals to eat healthy.  Sometimes positive change begins with education.  You can schedule a walk through a grocery store with a nutritionist and while you may think you know, trust me, odds are you don't.