Weekly Vlog: The Lorax

Recently, a wonderful Bright Lifer in California sent me a stuffed Lorax. If you’re not familiar with him, he is a creation of Dr. Seuss. When trees are being cut down and a beautiful area deforested, he pops up and says “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees”-because no one else is speaking for them.
I’m like the Lorax, but I speak for the 10s. I speak for the food addicts. I do this because no one else is doing it, and it’s 20% of our population. Why do we need someone to keep an eye on how things are for those on the high end of the Food Susceptibility Scale? I have four thoughts on that.
First, I speak for the 10s in interpreting dietary recommendations. Many health professionals are starting to see food as a big part of health, which is great. But we need to think about how their recommendations are received by those whose brain is hijacked by sugar and flour-tweaked and warped by addiction.
Here’s an example: green juice, like celery juice, is a great idea for health. But it’s not great if you’re a food addict. It hits the bloodstream fast and impacts the reward centers of the brain. There’s no point in drinking celery juice to boost your health if it ups the odds you’ll follow it with a pint of ice cream for dinner.
Another example: whole food plant-based advocates often say it doesn’t matter how much you eat if you’re eating the right things. That’s not true if you’re a 10. In that case, large quantities-even of supposedly beneficial foods, like apples or Brussels sprouts-can lead to a binge. Or, can thwart your efforts to live at a healthy weight.
Second, I need to speak the truth about research that is incorrectly done or not done with our community in mind. An example: the PET scan of dopamine downregulation in the nucleus accumbens that is all over the internet. It’s completely flawed. It’s got three brains: “Normal” “Cocaine” and “Obese”… but it uses the word “obese” when what it’s talking about is food-addicted. They are not the same thing.
Research often isn’t done with the right variables. As the field advances, it’s getting corrected. But I speak to the need for food addiction to be considered in research-and considered properly.
A third example is GLP-1 weight loss drugs. For some people, they can be helpful. But who’s going to be watching to notice what happens to food addicts on those drugs? If someone uses them, and then they need to get off them-who’s going to notice what happens to their brain then? Are the cravings going to be worse than ever? Will they be lighter, indicating that the drugs are healing? I need to watch out for these people. I care about what happens to brains like ours.
Finally, in our Bright Line community, in the vlogs, the books, and elsewhere, I have a bias. I tilt toward educating the foods addicts in our community about what is happening in their brains. I speak to the 10s.
Here’s an example: in our Circles, which are the online support platform, we do not allow pictures of food at all. We have a special place for Bright-Line-compliant recipes and pictures, but nowhere are non-compliant food pictures allowed.
Those are just a few examples of how I often feel like the Lorax, speaking for all those with food addiction. And thanks again to the Bright Lifer who sent me the Lorax stuffie!
FOR THIS VLOG, PODCASTS, TRANSCRIPTS-and MORE: ble.life/fuucg0

[@emilysavrda1081]

I am thankful to have a food regulation program that 1. accepts that some people struggle with food addiction without calling everyone "addicted" and 2. does NOT NOT NOT conflate obesity with food addiction. Plus size people go through enough and so do food addicts, glad I can finally navigate health without feeling like I'm adding to something negative in the world. It's a breath of fresh air to know of a professional who can see the difference, and carries themselves and their thoughts in ways that let us know that you truly do see the difference.

[@Brightlineeating]

🧡🧡🧡

[@gilliancooke9525]

Oh, Dear, Dear, Susan - my gratitude is greater than words can express. Thank you for being The Lorax!

[@Brightlineeating]

So sweet! 😍

[@Awaken218]

I wish I could tell you how much this means to me. I have definitely been on the roller coaster of Brightline eating and whole food plant-based raw vegan insanity. I keep thinking I’m a total failure because I can’t stick to those other programs at all! It’s because I am an addict. I’m starting bright line eating again. and by God at 50 years old this year, like you, I’m going to stick to it. I can’t be like everyone else. Thank you for being my Lorax!

[@philcooklin8127]

You have helped me to change my life Susan and I will be forever grateful 🙏

[@Brightlineeating]

Thank you for being here 🧡🧡🧡

[@criederer2875]

thankyou for speaking out for us 10's! This is such valuable video, and I will be re-watching.

[@urbanbanjogurl]

Thank you!

[@Brightlineeating]

🫂🧡

[@JenniferStormyWeather]

You are SO awesome! THANK YOU for being the Lorax! 🥰

[@Brightlineeating]

@@JenniferStormyWeather 🧡🧡🧡

[@tenayawieczorek3665]

What a great Vlog Susan! Thank you!!

[@Brightlineeating]

Thanks for watching 😍

[@joditallmon833]

perfect timing, as always :)

[@Brightlineeating]

@@joditallmon833 🥰

[@samaraid4931]

I just love you ❤, thank you for everything.

[@Brightlineeating]

@@samaraid4931 we're so glad you're here 💕

[@cristinaparrott6562]

Thank you 💕

[@Brightlineeating]

💓🧡

[@user-zl5hm9uf4r]

THANK YOU SPT LE, SUSAN PIERCE THOMPSON, LORAX EXTRAORDINAIRE for watching this for us and speaking for us food addicts (ie highly processed food addicts). In gratitude! From Maggie Ann

[@cherieking2870]

Happy Belated Birthday

[@Brightlineeating]

How kind! 🧡🧡

[@jannloch]

When I tell people about my struggles they wont belive it because I have a normal weight. I used to have 25 kg more fat, but people have forgotten that now.

[@Brightlineeating]

🫂🫂

[@williammann8994]

❤❤❤

[@Brightlineeating]

😍

[@Anita-w5b]

I suspect Susan will be receiving a ton of stuffed animals now lol

[@Brightlineeating]

😅

[@David-jk2dp]

Trailblazer

[@Brightlineeating]

🧡

[@NelsonCartierGaming]

hey just wanted to say i love your videos im currently trying to lose weight

[@Brightlineeating]

@@NelsonCartierGaming hi! And welcome!!! 🧡

[@NelsonCartierGaming]

@@Brightlineeating yes your videos motivated me over the years and i have checked your website :. I love your perspective on food it helped me also i got to go to my mother's funeral friday 12th so i been emotional eating😥 please save me.. im addicted to food

[@Brightlineeating]

@@NelsonCartierGaming oh dear, we're sending you so much love right now 🫂 please reach out to your support system 💕🧡