Psychology & Nutrition

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Permalink Reply by Anja on January 29, 2008 at 1:16pm

Hi Maxine, I wrote my bachelor's thesis on the psychological aspects of eating and weight gain, so I have researched the area thoroughly (although new research is coming up all the time). I am not doing my master's on this subject, but I still have a major interest in the area so I read books about it anyway! :) There are many different subjects that you can look further into on both a sociological as well as the more individual level. I can recommend some books if you'd like. For me personally, I have been really inspired by the critical approach to weight and eating issues in society in general (as well as the scientific basis for it) and also the......yikes.... FEMINIST perpective! Although it may seem like a hippie-ish thing, I really think that just being a woman makes you think differently about your eating behavior (does that make sense?). It's not that I believe the theories put forward by authors like Susie Orbach for example (she wrote "Fat is a feminist issue" a long time ago), but I do find them empowering and insightful. I actually lost 15 pounds while writing my bachelor's thesis because of the awareness I gained of my own habits!
Let me know how it goes with finding courses!

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Permalink Reply by Maxine on May 30, 2008 at 11:09pm

Hi Anja

So far I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for in an academic programme, however I have had an interesting experience that I thought you might be interested to hear about.

Last summer (your winter) I'd been having cravings for Magnum (classic) ice creams eating 1 or 2 a day. I visited an allergy clinic as to see if their methods worked in getting rid of allergies (I don't think they are recognised by allopathic standards). I wasn't aware of having any allergies or intolerances so I thought I'd be a good person to be tested as the placebo effect wouldn't be an issue for me (there'd be no need to believe something would be fixed if i didn't think there was a problem to fix. Having said that, I was open to the possibility of what might happen).

The practitioner used muscle testing to determine any reaction to allergens (in a small glass vial I was holding). She went through a whole range of possible things I could be allergic /intolerant to and at the end of the assessment said that I had reacted to many different types of sugars (and a big bunch of other things).

The treatment was the use of a hand held unit that sort of vibrated as she ran it up and down my spine while I was holding the vials I supposedly reacted to. For the next 24 hours I felt a bit tired and took it easy the next day. Since then (a few months ago) I haven't had one compulsion to eat a magnum ice cream! It's not that I'm trying to use any sort of willpower, the thought just hasn't occurred to me to have one! Amazing! I then went back and had treatments for chocolate, grains and a few other things. I do still eat these things but when I do, it is a conscious decision to choose to eat them and not a compulsion that I have to.

Intellectually it doesn't make sense to me, but yet it worked! As I understand it, this treatment doesn't work for everyone which means you have to try it to find out so you could be out of pocket $$$. This experience has made me think that for me, many of my eating challenges have been from something other than psychological reasons.

Unfortunately I'm still not raw but I'm taking this time to reduce poor food choices and will then re-evaluate where I'm at - maybe this is just a much slower process for some or maybe going raw isn't right for everyone. I'm studying an Ayurveda module at the moment and from an Ayurvedic perspective, the best way to eat is according to your dosha. I remain open to all and hope to continue to learn through experience.

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Permalink Reply by Kelsey Laird on January 31, 2008 at 4:15pm

Maxine,

I currently attend the Integrative Institute for Nutrition, which is not an accredited program however you are able to receive a dual certification through both IIN and Columbia University. This program has given me insight into my own eating habits as well as giving me to work with people professionally in creating a balanced life with food. The program features an array of speakers including David Wolfe.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your search.

Kelsey Laird

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Permalink Reply by Jef on February 1, 2008 at 10:58pm

Hi.
I wanted to discuss this or share it with someone, maybe its this thread. .
the other day I was at the grocery store. I got my veggies and then I was walking past all these aisles that had food I don't eat any more. I wanted to get some olives and stuff, down a ways. As I walked past all these, I just had this huge sense of loss, and sort of like grief.. I felt that , you know, I think I have to grieve this change in my life. i am giving this stuff up. I will never again frequent those aisles, they won't be part of my life anymore,. And it felt like a loss. I realized that I think in order to get over my cravings, and more mental noise about not wanting to give up stuff, I would have to actually grieve the loss of that lifestyle. Its huge.
Thats abotu all. Anyone else have that experience?? Should I start a separatee thread about it? I'm thinking of it.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy May on May 30, 2008 at 9:55pm

Hi Maxine,
There is another book I hear is great ,it is" Raw Success, By Matt Monarch. You can find it at www.therawfoodworld.com. In Health! -Wendy

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Permalink Reply by Maxine on May 30, 2008 at 10:47pm

Hi Heather, Thanks so much for this book suggestion - I'll check it out.

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