Coconut chips

Coconut "crack"

This is a scientific fact: processed desserts and snacks can actually cause symptoms of addiction equal to that produced by drugs like morphine and cocaine.  Take this bag of toasted coconut chips, for instance. 

John brought some home from work.  He said they were outrageously delicious. He told me to "try just one."  The enabler.

Crispy-crunchy, slightly sweet, slightly fatty, intense flavor-- completely addictive.  I felt like Amy Trotter!  I could cram them in by the fistful!  Of course I went right to Costco and brought two bags to "put in the granola." At least that was my excuse.

Even people who are fairly disciplined and “know better” would have trouble keeping their hands out of that bag.  That's because processed foods contain carefully orchestrated flavors and sensory factors (crunch, mouth feel) designed to make them as addictive as possible.

As we all know, our body's controls on overeating are fragile, and processed snacks actually make us feel hungrier.  But of course it isn't real hunger.  Some foods have a narcotic-like effect on our brains.  This is in stark contrast to whole foods, that naturally prevent us from overeating.  Much as I like fresh coconut, I'm unlikely to sit down and chew up an entire one.

Well, guess what?  The whacky holiday calendar says March 26th is National Spinach Day. Eat something healthy today.  Consider yourself warned on the toasted coconut.