3 Easy Ways to Incorporate Organic Greek Yogurt

3 easy ways to incorporate Organic Plain Greek Yogurt:

1. Yam Pie

1 medium sized yam

Dash of pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup organic plain Greek yogurt

1/3 cup walnut pieces

Microwave yam for 6 minutes

Cut open, top with pumpkin pie spice, yogurt, and walnut pieces

2. Goji Trail Mix Parfait

1 cup organic blueberries

1/2 cup organic plain Greek yogurt

1/3 cup trail mix with the following:

            Cocoa nibs

            Pine nuts

            Sunflower seeds

            Cashew pieces

            Goji berries

Top blueberries with yogurt

Sprinkle goji trail mix on top

3. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

1 and 1/2 cups organic plain Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon dried chives

3/4 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients and mix well.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours but preferable overnight for best results.

Serve with fresh veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, celery, jicama, broccoli, cucumbers, and sugar snap peas.

Caffeine, Children, and Addiction

Addictive substances are characterized by their stimulation of the neurotransmitter dopamine at various sites throughout the brain. Caffeine is known to stimulate dopaminergic pathways and therefore has significant addictive potential. Many individuals experience withdrawals from caffeine that include severe headaches. Caffeine Use Disorder is now a recognized clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5. By exposing children to addictive substances during critical periods of brain development, dysfunctional brain circuitry can develop, placing the child at higher risk for developing other addictions that are substance-related or behavioral (i.e. internet gaming, gambling). It appears that the profit-driven food and beverage industry is stimulating the creation of addicts at younger and younger ages in the US, leading to a tremendous healthcare burden. For many people the substance-seeking behavior leads to illicit drugs and/or alcohol, others become addicted to highly palatable foods, and many cross-addict through various substance-related and behavioral addictions. It is possible that chronic caffeine exposure during childhood and adolescence is a significant contributor to the growing problem of addiction in our country. 

Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: Research, Clinical and Treatment Perspectives

Dr. Timothy Brewerton and Dr. Amy Baker Dennis have published an academic textbook "Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: Research, Clinical and Treatment Perspectives" and David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT has contributed two chapters.

Find out more about the book and how to order it HERE

International Conference of Eating Disorders March 27-29, 2014 in New York City

Dr. Timothy Brewerton and Dr. Amy Baker Dennis have compiled an academic textbook titled "Eating Disorders, Addictions, and Substance Use Disorders: Research, Clinical, and Treatment Perspectives" which is currently in press through Springer Publishing. The aim of the textbook is to propose treatment modalities that address eating disorders and substance use disorders simultaneously, and is intended for both eating disorder and addiction professionals. Traditionally, these disorders have been addressed separately but experts are beginning to see a need to address them concurrently. David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, is the primary contributor of a chapter titled "Nutrition Therapy for Eating Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and Addictions" where the topic of Food Addiction is examined in connection to Binge Eating Disorder as well as substance abuse. Dr. Brewerton and Dr. Dennis will be conducting a workshop on topics related to co-occurring eating and substance use disorders and will be presenting new information at the International Conference on Eating Disorders March 27-29, 2014 in New York City. The Keynote Speaker at this highly acclaimed event is award-winning journalist Frank Bruni who will be discussing Food Addiction. The topic of Food Addiction has gained significant attention since the validation of the Yale Food Addiction Scale in 2008, and 2014 marks the year that Food Addiction becomes a widely accepted mainstream topic. 

Nutrition Therapy for Eating Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and Addictions

David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, owner of Nutrition In Recovery will discuss the importance of nutrition in addiction recovery with Dr. Ranae Norton on Wednesday, January 15 at 4:30pm PST.

For more information, click HERE

What is Nutrition In Recovery's Nutritional Approach to Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder is now officially recognized as an eating disorder. More and more people are seeking treatment for this condition, which has been linked to Food Addiction.

Nutrition In Recovery owner David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT specializes in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder and Food Addiction. Find out more about his approach by clicking HERE

What Foods Have Addictive Potential?

Food in it's natural/unadulterated state is not addicting, while processed foods seem to cause problems for many people. Foods that have the most addictive potential include the following:

Refined grains

Added sugars

Artificial sweeteners

Added salts

Added fats (including refined oils)

Caffeine

Treatment for any addiction should involve abstinence for a period of time. While not possible to abstain from food, it is possible to abstain from highly concentrated by-products of food that are characterized by the aforementioned additives. Traditional eating disorder treatment typically ignores the impact of processed foods on the human brain, over-emphasizing the behavioral component of eating and the underlying issues, yet failing to address the importance of the substances ("food") that enter the human body. As the concept of food addiction gains popularity, I see a trend in people being willing to pay more for less ingredients. While this trend is not new, highly palatable foods will continue to be linked with dysfunctional eating behavior stemming from neural dysregulation. The transition towards abstinence from addictive food substances is best executed gradually as opposed to immediately. Once the brain is normalized ("recovery"), some foods with addictive potential can be handled by some individuals, in small doses. With respect to food addiction, the dose makes the poison. Meanwhile, failure to therapeutically address the underlying issues during treatment can lead to relapse into addictive eating, as is the case with any addiction. In conclusion, the food matters more than the food industry wants us to believe. We must identify and eliminate profitable and toxic substances that are masquerading as food.  

To learn more about Food Addiction, click HERE