Food is a fundamental necessity for human survival, providing us with the energy needed to function daily. When a person is in a feeding state, meaning when they consume food regularly, about 50% of their metabolic energy requirements come from food. However, it's essential to understand that humans don't naturally need to eat multiple times a day — once or twice is enough to cover our metabolic needs. This raises a curious question: why are we eating four, five, six, or even more times a day? Why are we so addicted to food?

Unravelling the Complications of Hunger and Food Consumption

The processes of hunger and food consumption are complex, involving the coordination of various elements. One significant factor that triggers hunger is our perception and need for simple sugars. Simple sugars, like glucose, are vital for our survival, and the body rates sugar very highly as an energy source.

The more simple sugars we consume, the more the body craves them. Unlike complex sugars such as starch and fiber, simple sugars are easy for the body to digest and process. Complex sugars require the help of bacteria to break down into simple sugars that our body can absorb. Therefore, the body will always opt for simple sugars, as they are the easiest way to process energy.

The Role of Simple Sugars in Our Food Addiction

Unfortunately, the food industry is well aware of our body's preference for simple sugars. As a result, they create foods that contain large amounts of simple sugars, leading us to become addicted to these foods.

Most processed foods contain an unreasonable amount of sugar that no natural whole food can contain. For instance, the amount of sugar in a cupcake depends on the baker, but the amount of sugar in a mango is determined by nature. The mango will have a limited amount of sugar, but the cupcake's sugar content depends on human perception and our desire for sweetness.

In conclusion, processed foods are packed with simple sugars among other harmful chemicals, which create an addiction in the body and a need to consume more and more of it. Remember, food containing lots of sugar does not necessarily mean it's sweet. For example, tomato sauce used on french fries is full of sugar, even though it tastes salty.

The Impact of Our Food Choices

Our food choices have a direct impact on our hunger and satiation levels. By understanding the types of food we consume, we can start making healthier decisions that will leave us feeling satisfied rather than constantly hungry.

The first step towards healthier eating habits is acknowledging and understanding the role of simple sugars in our diet. By recognizing the impact these sugars have on our hunger levels, we can start to make conscious decisions about our food choices. This doesn't mean completely eliminating simple sugars from our diet, but rather consuming them in moderation and balancing them with other nutritious foods.

In the end, understanding our relationship with food is a journey. It's about learning how to nourish our bodies in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable. It involves making conscious decisions about what we eat and understanding the impact of those decisions on our bodies. It's about finding a balance between satisfying our cravings and nourishing our bodies. And most importantly, it's about enjoying food and the pleasure it brings, without the constant worry of overeating.