Weekly Vlog: Is Cheese Addictive?

[@jaybirddee3790]

Very impressive response. I’m new to BLE, and I was sort of expecting Dr. Peirce-Thompson to adopt at some point a salty tone to match his, but she never did. That was like a life lesson about how to deal with vinegary folks alongside the education/information about the rationale for why cheese is permissible.

[@Letha222]

Such a wise and thoughtful response. I was impressed.

[@Brightlineeating]

👏👏

[@jacquleneschultz]

I was one of those people who also believed I could never be WFPB because I wouldn't be able to live without cheese. If I was cutting into a block, I was eating as much of it as I could before I put whatever remained, if anything, back into the refrigerator. I have been in BLE for over 2 years, maintaining my weight for 18+ months and have never once overeaten cheese. I eat it melted on food all the time and it has never once triggered me like that little bit of cheese left in the grater does. But it's fine, because I know that little bit of cheese in the grater is not my food, because it's not weighed/measured and wasn't written on my plan.

[@Brightlineeating]

We appreciate you sharing your experience with us 🥰

[@gigigrant1429]

Love love Susanne Peirce Thompson! Watching her Vlogs is my favourite thing to do! She is so informative and love her energy! I am not BLE as I am very low on the susceptibility scale but I do follow what she says about no sugar, no flour ! Thank you for that information always so informative.

[@jessicasandler5583]

Cheese has always been very addictive for me. Having given up sugar and flour since last September, I find I don’t crave it as much as before. Brightline eating has been the solution I’ve been looking for my whole adult life. My body and brain thank you!

[@Brightlineeating]

We're so glad you know this about yourself and are happy you are here 🧡⭐💗

[@katesiepert704]

This was fantastic - I would love to hear more about why nut butters are such a huge trigger for some people (I am one of these) - I've been doing BLE for nearly three years now, and still haven't been able to add nut butters back in to my life. I think I've come to understand that I will - one day at a time - enjoy all of the other delicious foods available to me and leave nut butters for others to enjoy. As I already say about sugar, flour and alcohol - "I've had my share for this lifetime, I just packed it all into the first half!" Lol! And for me, I don't eat dairy anymore, not because it is a big trigger for me, but because it doesn't sit well in my system. The longer I eat according to BLE principles, the more attuned I become to what actually works for my body and what does not. What a gift!

[@TerriTodd-p5u]

Thank you so much for clarifying that. Not so much about cheese but that your program isn't "healthy" food based. I wondered why some things were allowed and now I understand. This was a very informative vlog for me. I did notice that you can make it as healthy as you want with your choices. I prefer to eat healthier foods but have found that if I eat bread or sweets I have a tendency to binge later in the day which causes me to yoyo with 10 lbs which I won't be able to keep off if I don't abstain from those foods. It feels awful. I continue to try.

[@Rose8]

I had never heard about Not melting cheese. I've been in BLE for 7years. Thank you so much ❤️ for this information

[@elizaphan4696]

Allowing the WIDEST choice possible is important - you cannot eliminate everything from the diet all at once. Giving up sugar and flour is #1! And the HARDEST!!!! Going cold turkey sometimes causes you to binge. So you do need to GRADUALLY change your diet

[@elizaphan4696]

Great answer Susan - cheese without the rewarding bread is not what people would choose

[@Brightlineeating]

👏

[@ch1cksng3r]

We eat cheese in this house like it’s our job. No bread to be found 🤣😂

[@louisevallee991]

I tried last week to reintroduce cheese and dairy in my meals. That was satisfying and it didn't trigger any binging because now I am no longer looking for big portions. My cravings went away completely with the carnivore diet. I haven't been eating any carbs at all since a few months, so no flour or sugar for me. I've seen so many testimonial about people that reversed their diabetes and other health problems, and weight losses with that way of eating in that Facebook group of more than 42 000 members. I was sceptic with that when I was ketogenic and decided to test it for 3 months. Never felt better in my life. What I like about BLE is that I understand now why I was binging regularly when I was younger and now I am confident that I will succeed with my maintenance when I will reach my weight goal. I am trying now to transition to ketovore and see if I can manage to continue to lose weight or not. Thank you for what you bring with your loving and caring way of sharing with such authenticity, simplicity and clarity. I am a big fan of yours since I discovered your vlog and your book a few days ago 🙏🌹❤️

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for taking the time to comment on our vlog! 🧡🧡

[@barbaradalman7266]

I personally am very thankful for the “sexy foods”. I had been weighing and measuring them and using them quite successfully. When I saw the vlog on sexy food, I became very concerned and started deleting them. As a result, my eating became quite messed up. I put them back in, including cheese, the way I had been successful and I’m doing fine. The one food which I find very interesting that I will not eat is white rice. To me that’s nothing but empty calories. It’s great that we can personalize this way of eating to make it work for us.

[@Brightlineeating]

Yes! Personalizing is the path to longevity! 🧡🧡

[@greytmom2008]

I don’t care what anyone else eats - policing my own self keeps me plenty busy! 😂

[@Brightlineeating]

😅

[@emcrone4101]

Fantastic answer! I love cheese myself but am able to eat it in moderation!

[@Brightlineeating]

We hear you! Glad this resonated with you! 🧡

[@KessiMcKenzie]

Your response makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

[@Brightlineeating]

You're so welcome! 🧡🧡

[@jquainton4750]

Loved your response.

[@Brightlineeating]

😍😍

[@sarahmonroe2178]

I would like to add my two cents; I am a food addict. On my plan I have chosen to omit cheese as a “hunk of cheese”. I only allow an occasional sprinkle of Parmesan or shredded. Cheese was a triggering binge food for me. And I am a quantities girl. 4oz of meat is more then 2 oz of cheese… give me the 4oz of meat.. or better yet 6oz of beans?!! I enjoyed this vlog. Thank you!!

[@Brightlineeating]

We appreciate you sharing! 💗🧡

[@Authenticnerd123]

When i eat lot of cheese i feel sleepy and it reduces my desire for other foods.However since its calory densed,releases more IGF-1,its hard to give up

[@kristinefrkjr215]

Thank you 🥰 also for mentioning fruit…my brain goes crazy on fruit. And cheese 😊I really like the way you explain these issues.

[@Brightlineeating]

So glad you found this helpful! ⭐🧡

[@jans1448]

I do not remember reading in the Brightline Eating book you couldn't melt cheese? I followed, more or less, the Brightline eating program and lost 40 lbs.👍 I would melt cheese on my vegetables as my protein. I do really appreciate the principles that I learned from the book. I realized sugar was breaking my brain. I realized the power of patterns to help with willpower. I can only say I more or less followed the principles because I cannot completely wrap my mind around portion sizes. For instance a serving of beans was more like 150 maybe 200 calories where as a serving of meat or chicken would be like 300 calories. Milks, vegan milks varied in calories greatly, as did fruit. For example a half cup of unsweetened almond milk would be 15 calories versus 50 to 75 calories of milk, at least the brand that I buy. Depending on your food choices you could eat like 1000 or 1500 calories. Just didn't make sense completely to me. I also don't see how almond flour is worse than almond butter. Almond flour is less processed because it's ground up and not blended to the point of being a butter. I also use/used stevia all the time. I never felt there was anything wrong with using stevia. I never felt the same kind of addictive or unsatisfied pull I did with sugar. I was also unwilling to give up whole wheat flour. However, I limit this to one serving and make my own bread, biscuit... I also don't believe or question why I can't eat Whole Foods instead of all the protein 3 times a day in this diet program. I believe in eating whole grains would be healthier. I do not want to eat beans three times a day. Anyway, I decided I am only willing to go so far or limit my food to a certain extent because I want the flavors and I want to feel like I can have something sweet (with stevia) or tasty. I don't want to eat meat or beans three times a day. I am really grateful for the principles of the Brightline eating program, the patterns and the no sugar. They are a great takeaway and have been a superbenefit to me🙂. I am using them to formulate a plan for myself that makes more sense and fair to me calorie wise. I am still really appreciative of what I learned from your book. Thank you!

[@KTinBk]

While SPT has mentioned this in her vlogs, "melted cheese" is not part of the bright lines. I personally love cheese, and gained a great appreciation for many cheeses after kicking sugar and flour (super super super sharp cheddar on a microwaved sweet potato- yep, melted- is fantastic). But I have never been driven to binge on cheese, unlike every sweetener out there. I did eventually eliminate dairy (except ghee) because after doing an elimination diet I found it made my joints hurt. But it is 100% NOT part of my bright lines- just a thing my body does not do well eating. An addition I made to my bright lines was grains- ALL grains- because I can for sure binge on any grain, in any form. I also added deep fried foods, which are way too compelling for me. YMMV.

[@kaygilbert96]

I too have overeaten cheese in my past life, but have not found it to be a problem in the BLE food plan. I love it but know it is only an occasional protein for me on the plan.

[@Brightlineeating]

👏👏👏

[@tomiakanana3779]

SPT have you seen the Netflix series-YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT-a twin experiment? There is an assertion about cheese being addictive made there. How do we know there is real science behind the assertions made in a series like this?

[@Brightlineeating]

Thanks so much for your comment! We cannot speak to the content of this Netflix show. However, Susan does state in this vlog: "Research does show that cheese has addictive properties... Cheese and other dairy products have casein in them. That's the predominant form of protein in cow's milk, dairy, and those caseins break down into all manner of forms of casomorphins. Casomorphins, which do bind to opiate receptors in the brain. Those are the same receptors that heroin and other opiates bind to, which releases some dopamine. So, cheese is a bit addictive. It's true. It is absolutely true." ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@deenagle6595]

I cannot have cheese any more, it's a huge trigger for me. 😢

[@Persianamir20]

my doctor suggested I read the book "The cheese trap" to educate myself on why cheese should be eliminated from my diet. I hope this helps 😊

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you! 🧡

[@joyceshiffer8412]

I have discovered that I am SO addicted to cheese EXCEPT for parmesan. So guess what I allow myself to eat? No other cheese is brought into my house.

[@Brightlineeating]

So glad you have learned this about yourself! 😍😍

[@joycerosa4902]

I didn’t know we are not supposed to have melted cheese

[@JanClayton-k1k]

I find cheese very addictive and I think that it has caused me issues staying BLE bright. I have tried the little chunks and they still are triggering. So, I am not sure that I buy your argument - at least not for everyone - and a couple people in my mastermind group agree. I think that cheese causes me to be chronic relapser just as much as nut butters for others. You might want to give stronger warnings to your boot campers.

[@Coffee384]

I think she did acknowledge that if you are one of the people it triggers, don’t eat it.

[@Brightlineeating]

We hear you! While there are folks within our community who can eat cheese, nuts, and nut butter without issue, there are others for whom it messes with their peace. You can certainly decide to draw a Bright Line around it and keep it out of their program. Using the Four Questions (PHEW) and working with one of our coaches, a trusted BLE buddy, or your Mastermind group can help you determine which approach is right for you. 🧡🧡🧡

[@kk70x7]

This was my first video. Thanks for such a science -based response. I think some people need to chill... Didn't like the accusations made. Pretty ridiculous.

[@Brightlineeating]

Welcome! We're so glad you're here 😄😄

[@mongoliamel]

yup. Pizza is my #1 addictive food. Not that interested in cheese now that I don't eat flour.

[@chasingpeace2005]

Hard cheese is a binge food for me. All on its own. :-(

[@Brightlineeating]

You know your self well. 💗💗💗

[@judijackson4197]

It’s true. Once you quiet the beast (silence the addiction) it opens the door to focusing on nutrition. I have to cling to certain comfort foods as I learned to let go of others. One year later I am exploring tofu, butternut squash, lentils and a wide variety of vegetables…who am I!?

[@Brightlineeating]

💗💗💗

[@mollykibenge798]

Cheese is a processed food and I think it is the presence of salt that makes it taste good.

[@Brightlineeating]

That is quite possible! 🧀

[@Minnie11chula]

Wow bacon now allowed on BLE?

[@RealLifeMvmt]

Nmf commercials keep showing up while I’m watching these 😂😅😢

[@susettemclachlan8765]

Hard cheeses are extremely healthy and saturated fat in dairy should not be avoided, HOWEVER most soft cheeses contain chemical agents used in their production to obtain that creamy texture and therefore can potentially be harmful, especially where ingredients are not listed.

[@hudhud2244]

For me, even vegan cheese is addictive! It's not just those caso-morophines in dairy cheese. It's the fact that cheese is saturated fat + salt + bacteria + flavors. That combo is somehow triggering for me. I am just not able to weigh/measure it and stopping at that.

[@chazlon5061]

I don't think we have good enough data or just enough data period to actually support that cheese is addictive though.

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. '🧡

[@chazlon5061]

Thank YOU for all the information and videos. My guess is that cheese is addictive! Looking forward to more studies.@@Brightlineeating

[@Bb-zm6gp]

Cheese and peanut butter… 3 and 4 breaks are always with these 2 items

[@Brightlineeating]

Both pretty addictive! 🧀🥜

[@brianhanson7118]

Except cheese is incredibly healthy. It's just also high calorie.

[@elizaphan4696]

Don't you love the science?

[@elizaphan4696]

Even vegan cheese doesn't cut it....

[@GarudaLegends]

Cheese is delicious and not addictive.

[@Brightlineeating]

So glad you know that about yourself 🧡🧡🧡

[@elizaphan4696]

Cheese 🤢

[@thekwane8412]

Cheese is addictive? Lol. It is not.

[@Brightlineeating]

While there are folks within our community who can eat cheese, nuts, and nut butter without issue, there are others for whom it messes with their peace. We hope you have a Bright day 🧡