We ended the last article with some homework. We were supposed to take time to meditate (mentally chew) on the statement: “The primary reason for eating is for health, not for pleasure.” I also ended with the promise of discussing in this article, “The Pleasure Trap.” I first learned of this concept during the Plant Based Nutrition CME course that I took in the summer of 2016. This course was both eye-opening and life-changing. More important than the head knowledge I received was the shift in thinking that led to altered behavior. Jesus’ admonition in John 10:10 is relevant in this regard:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
We have already established that God wants us to be in good health. That is part of the abundant life to which he referred. The question is, who or what is the thief? Verses 1 -2 of the same chapter are quite telling:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
So, the thief is whoever enters the sheepfold in a way other than by the way that the true shepherd would enter, even through the door. Verses 8 and 9 of the same chapter will bring further clarity, then I will explain their relevance to the subject at hand.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:8-9- KJV).
In the above two verses, Jesus makes it clear that what has been robbing us is not the devil but rather ALL that ever came before Him. Why is that relevant? Jesus is the express image of the Father (Heb 1:3). All the revelation of God that came before Him produced an incomplete image of the Father. Jesus is the only way to get an accurate view of the heart and mind of the Father. The thieves and robbers before Him only gave incomplete and often misunderstood views of Him. The sheep did not hear them: this incomplete view of the Father never produced any sustainable fruit in the hearers. This is somewhat of a digression, but I think it is appropriate here to introduce this nugget. We will never rise above our personal perception of who God is. Said in another way, our understanding of who God is sets the ceiling for our growth. Has someone ever told you, “You’re just like your father!” Think on that for a moment. Did that nugget shift your understanding?
Now where diet and nutrition are concerned, who or what is robbing you? Where is the misconception? Has anyone one ever made it clear to you that the primary reason to eat is for health? What about the concept of thinking of food as medicine? If the answers to these questions are no, what has been the consequence in your life of the misrepresentation of the true role of food?
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is the value of a video? Please take a moment to look at a TedTalk concerning the Pleasure Trap then return to the text. My hope is that once you finish looking at it, you would recognize the thief and robber of your health for what it is.
Let me summarize the findings in the video:
- Under normal circumstances we get positive feedback (pleasure) from eating healthy food. That is the correct way!
- Highly processed foods are addictive because they cause excessive dopamine release in the pleasure centers of our brains.
- The brain becomes adjusted to them (habituated) such that we need increasing amounts to experience the same level of pleasure as before.
- Once we become addicted to highly processed foods, we no longer get positive feedback (pleasure) from healthy foods.
- Because of the pleasure trap, we often continue to consume highly processed foods even though they are killing us (robbing us of good health).
- In order to get back to the way or the place where healthy food tastes pleasurable to us again, it takes weeks of intentionally doing things that reset our taste buds.
I hope this will motivate you to start intentionally taking the necessary steps towards better health. Bye until the next time.
Useful Resources
- https://www.drmcdougall.com/
- https://www.pcrm.org/
- https://nutritionstudies.org/breaking-free-dietary-pleasure-trap/
- The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force That Undermines Health & Happiness
Disclaimer
The contents of article are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This article does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.