Crisps or Cigarettes? Why Our Food is Getting Addictive

Why is it so hard to stop after just one biscuit?

It might not be your lack of willpower at all, but rather the way our food is engineered in labs today. A recent study by researchers from top universities like Harvard and Michigan sheds a whole new light on our favorite pantry snacks. Experts are convinced that ultra-processed foods, such as frozen pizzas, sugary cereals, or chicken nuggets, share more characteristics with cigarettes than with actual food.

The Industry’s Hidden Tactics

Just like tobacco, these products are industrially optimized to trigger the reward centers in our brains to the max. What start as natural ingredients are modified until they become products tuned for pure hedonic impact and maximum profitability. The goal is often to create a craving that is hard to resist. The researchers argue that we should stop viewing these items through a simple nutritional lens and instead see them as technically manipulated substances.

A Recipe for Better Health

Unfortunately, the consequences for our bodies are anything but appetizing, as high consumption of these products is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. In countries like the US and the UK, these foods already account for well over half of daily calorie intake. This is why scientists are now calling for a political shift. Similar to tobacco regulations, they suggest special taxes, stricter advertising bans targeting children, and more honest labeling. This could mean that misleading claims like low fat might soon disappear if they are hiding a highly chemical product. Ultimately, it’s about bringing real ingredients back to the table and reclaiming control over our appetites.