The Science Is In
If you find yourself constantly drawn back to the same unhealthy foods or fast food meals, it turns out you’re not alone. A lot of these treats use addictive ingredients and formulas to get your body and brain hooked. Here are 20 foods scientifically proven to mess with your mind and keep you coming back for seconds.
1. Cookies
There are so many different types of cookies, from good old-fashioned chocolate chips to classy Oreos. Surprisingly, Oreos in particular have been found to activate many neurons in the brain, and in one study, even rats ended up getting addicted to the treat. That must be quite the cookie formula.
2. Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles have become many people's favorite quick meals. With so many instant noodle options, a variety of flavors, and the simplicity of making them at home, they are easy to make and hard to say no to.
3. Non-Diet Soda
You get a pass if you choose the zero-sugar ones, but aside from that, all sodas contain caffeine and loads of sugar. That’s a double whammy in terms of addiction, as both of those ingredients are built to get you hooked and coming back for more.
4. Popcorn
Who doesn’t like popcorn? From movie butter flavor to caramel corn, there is a perfect seasoning for everyone. And with how easy it is to make it at home, it certainly can be easy to get addicted to this delicious snack.
5. Chips
Chips are the classic go-to when you’re feeling snacky. They are crunchy, salty, and come in a variety of flavors. They are easy to get addicted to because of their crunch, saltiness, and fat content.
6. Chicken Nuggets
It turns out refined carbohydrates and yummy salty fats make quite an addictive formula. If you find yourself constantly drawn to McDonald’s chicken nuggets, well, they’re created to be that way. Surprisingly, a lot of picky eaters who are averse to certain foods have no issue with chicken nuggets, despite how unhealthy they are.
7. Pudding Snack Packs
Like most processed foods, the spike in sugars, fats, and salt is all it takes to get you desperate for more. However, pudding snacks in particular take advantage of a hormone called ghrelin to bolster your cravings. The reward sensation associated with pudding packs makes it difficult to resist.
8. French Fries
While the salt and fat content definitely don’t help, French fries are actually addictive due to a host of other factors. For one, the refined ingredients end up in your bloodstream and trigger dopamine, which makes you feel rewarded. Additionally, the crispy fried texture is pleasing to the mouth, and people are naturally drawn to striking textures.
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9. Frappuccino's
This one’s easy. It’s the caffeine! If you’re prone to caffeine and love sugary drinks, then the Frappuccino is your worst enemy. The caffeine will stimulate your body, while the sugar will have you feeling all happy and bubbly with dopamine triggers. Be careful, though, as caffeine dependency is an all-too-real thing.
10. Trail Mix
Many people confuse trail mix as a health food, but it’s only as healthy as you make it. Two fistfuls of regular trail mix without the candies can easily ramp up in calories. When it comes to being addictive, the use of carbohydrates and fats triggers ancestral receptors in the brain that remember enjoying these foods in famine.
11. Pizza
Like most ultra-processed carbohydrates, the amount of fat and refined white flour used in pizza is quick to release dopamine and activate rewarding feelings. The chewy dough gives you that mouthful that makes you crave more. Too bad the food is terrible for you in the long run.
12. Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks, or cheese in its many fried forms, are addictive because salty cheese does an excellent job of triggering dopamine. If you find yourself often craving sticks, however, it could be due to an underlying issue, such as fatty acid deficiency, which your body is trying to make up for.
13. Salted Nuts
Salted nuts are another food our ancestors enjoyed, which is why our brain is quite reminiscent and eager to crave the food that saved it all those eons ago. However, anything high in salt will trigger the neurotransmitters in your brain, making you likely to crave it again and again.
14. Chocolate
You were probably wondering when chocolate was going to make an appearance, as this good has many people claiming they have a sweet tooth only to use it as an excuse to overindulge. Chocolate has multiple addictive properties and is known to trigger serotonin in the brain, making it almost impossible to resist.
15. Powdered Mini Donuts
Who can say no to a mini powdered donut? They are delicious, easy to eat in a single bite, and hard to keep track of how many you ate. They are definitely one of the most addictive foods out there.
16. Onion Rings
A classic side to many fast food orders. Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, it is the perfect finger food for any mood. Combine it with a nice dipping sauce and you’ve got yourself a cozy night in.
17. Ice Cream
Everyone loves a scoop of ice cream, from rich velvety chocolate to succulent strawberry to adventurous mint chip. But it turns out the more ice cream you eat, the more dopamine your body releases. In fact, some people can even have an ice cream high and find themselves needing to eat increasingly larger amounts.
18. Bacon
The culture around bacon goes to show you how much people love this good. Studies found that rats in labs reacted to bacon in a troubling way, desperate to have more and more. The brain activity of these rats was similar to their reactions to other dangerous addictive substances. Maybe you should rethink that slice of bacon.
19. Cereal
You’re probably thinking cereal is harmless, but it turns out wheat-based cereals have gliadin. Gliadin is a very concerning substance and can have strange effects on the body. You might want to double-check what’s in your cereal box.
20. Eggs
Eggs are a feel-good food that is super versatile. While they are great sources of protein and loaded with vitamins, the issue of cholesterol remains. In moderation, eggs are fine, but it turns out this dish is built to make you want more. Just be sure to limit your intake!
