How Does Your Brain Process Food?

From Web MD:
 
Brain’s Response to Food
In the paper, the researchers present three brain processes that are associated with both overeating and obesity: food reward, inhibitory control, and time discounting.
Food reward, which includes both the pleasure of eating and the motivation to eat, has been linked to the same brain processes that control our urges for sex, gambling, and substance use. People with a greater reward sensitivity will likely have stronger food cravings, particularly for fatty and sweet foods, the researchers write.
Inhibitory control, or the ability to eat in moderation, is influenced by the part of the brain strongly associated with self-control and planning, the researchers write.
Time discounting is the tendency to prefer short-term rewards over long-term rewards. In the case of obesity, it amounts to choosing the immediate pleasure of eating tasty foods as opposed to the health benefits of abstaining.
These three brain processes, when coupled with an environment in which highly tempting high-calorie, low-nutrition foods are readily available, contribute to overweight and obesity. Understanding those processes and controlling such environments, the researchers conclude, may contribute more to successful and sustained weight loss than focusing solely on personal choice.
They recommend the following strategies:

• Eliminate high fat-foods from your home and your workplace.
• Stick to a shopping list of healthy foods when at the supermarket, or shop online so you don’t have to confront tempting foods.
• Reduce stress, a frequent trigger of overeating.
• Stay away from all-you-can-eat buffets and restaurants that promote overindulgence.

Focus on short-term goals, especially at the beginning of a weight loss program
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