Why Do We Crave Unhealthy Foods?

(CBS)  Ever wonder why we seem to crave most the food that's worst for us? Could it be that we literally can't resist it?

That's what neuroscientist Ann Kelly has been studying for more than a decade in her lab at the University of Wisconsin, CBS News correspondent Trish Regan reports.

"In a way, food is like a drug," Kelly says.

In the lab, when a drug-addicted rat thinks it's about to get its morphine fix, the brain lights up. It turns out that when a rat in the lab that's conditioned to like sweets thinks it's going to get chocolate, its brain shows similar activity.

"I hesitate to say there is such a thing as food addiction," Kelly says. "But what we have to keep in mind is that food can affect the brain in a very similar way as addictive drugs."

"This could be the smoking gun," says law professor John Banzhaf. "We could say fat is the next tobacco."

Banzhaf is an architect of anti-tobacco lawsuits who has also sued the food industry. He's been involved in some of the eight suits so far have resulted in settlements or industry changes.

"If we can change the six major fast-food companies so they are providing clear and conspicuous disclosure on their menus of fat and calories and providing health warnings, we will have a dramatic impact on the overall problem of obesity — and it will happen immediately," Branzhaf says.

Not so fast, say critics.

"When you say a food is addictive, what you're really saying is that the obese person is a victim, and you know that's abandoning individual responsibility," says Dr. Elizabeth Whelan with the American Council for Science and Health.

As Anne Kelly continues her research, the lawyers wait, salivating in hopes of that smoking french fry.

[klmsmith]

Maybe it's time to put the cigarette tax on fast foods that don't comply with trans fats and calorie counts. Obesity is as bad for the health as smoking and probably pollutes the air about as bad.

[roach9703]

The problem is where and how we meet our need for carbohydrates. Eating is a deep seated behavior where both emotional and physical needs are met.
What we need are diets that are high in fiber and low in fat. This is shown in the Book Fat Free Flavor full by Gabe Merkin, MD.
With some creativity with spices and use of fruit and even vegetables, one can meed their carbohydrate needs in less destructive, very tasty ways, and yet eat " the good stuff" while bodies will cause us to eat less of it.

[jimmyd2596]

Duhhhh....So, that's why I like french fries better than asparagus!

[jmann27273]

Where is the news? This has been common knowledge for decades. Ho-hum.

[agnim]

Unbelievable that some feel the need to waste time and resources on the obvious.
We will do all kinds of studies just to avoid training the children to curb GREED by eating moderately and in a structured way from a young age!

[francesca78-2009]

We crave unhealthy food because it is so absolutely delicious and decadent. It is a difficult choice to stay away from unhealthy food just as it is difficult to commit to regular vigorus excercise. Is the researcher suggesting that those who regularily eat this food have no more intelligence that rats?

It took Ann Kelly ten years to figure that out, and had to use a lab rat? If you had asked me I could have gave you the answer and saved thousands on your education and lab costs