The first thing to understand is that our dopamine levels spike every time we eat. Different foods and substances affect our dopamine levels differently. For example, meat releases more dopamine than broccoli. But what happens if we start eating meat every day?
Is this food boring? Eat Something Else!
Our brains adjust quickly. If we eat meat every day, a food that usually spikes dopamine levels, it will chemically become boring. Why is that? The same goes for any type of food. How can I eat something good, like fatty fish, and my brain tells me, “This is not exciting anymore; eat something else!”
This happens because we’re designed to eat a variety of foods. For those who only eat one type of food, like carnivores, our bodies are designed to need various types of nutrients. So, if you’re eating the same food every day and it starts to feel boring, your brain is telling you, “I’ve had enough micronutrients from this food; give me more from different dishes!”
The Same Thing Goes for Sugar?
Unfortunately, sugar affects our brains differently, which is why it’s so addictive. Sugar, like alcohol or other drugs, spikes our dopamine levels and doesn’t build a strong resilience like food. We keep wanting that “sugar rush” for higher dopamine levels.
So, How Can I Balance My Diet with This New Knowledge?
It’s simple. Understand two key points:
- Treat sugar like a drug: From a neurological standpoint, sugar is more similar to a drug than food.
- Understand that you’re craving dopamine, not sweets: Next time you crave sugar, consider what else you can eat to make you happy.
