Researchers have published preliminary data showing why foods that are more highly processed are more addictive (compared with whole foods). And the more processing they receive, the more addictive they tend to become. This obviously supports the paleo diet with science. IOW, it's not the food that makes us fat so much as the processing methods. And "fake foods" appear to be the worst. Here's a quote from the original research article:
Which Foods May Be Addictive? The Roles of Processing, Fat Content, and Glycemic LoadConclusion
The current study provides preliminary evidence that not all foods are equally implicated in addictive-like eating behavior, and highly processed foods, which may share characteristics with drugs of abuse (e.g. high dose, rapid rate of absorption) appear to be particularly associated with “food addiction.”
Here is a quote from a good article published in Forbes magazine, interpreting the results:
Yes, Processed Food 'Makes' Us Fat -- But Science Provides Two New Clues As To WhyIn the new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, the authors argue that, like drugs, when foods are very highly processed, they start to become more “potent,” and, therefore, addictive. For instance, chewing a coca leaf doesn’t give a very strong high, but condensing it into cocaine and making it snort-able sure does. So too with foods whose elements are refined and combined in various clever ways – food labs spend lots of time on these calculations – until they become very “high-potency.”
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). I was a carbs and cheese addict and didn't think I could enjoy a meal without pasta, white potatoes, rice, beans, corn etc. On my modified Paleo diet I am rarely hungry and eat less at each meal. Protein satiates the way carbs cannot. The only problem is keeping my weight stable and not get too thin. The more I read about additives, the happier I am with my diet.