One Theory on Why Diets Fail

Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has a theory on why diets fail. In an interview published by The Oprah Magazine she explains that, based on animal studies, people experience withdrawal when they try to kick certain foods that their brains have become dependent on. "This makes it hard for them to eliminate those foods because they may feel depressed or sluggish or generally horrible." In many ways, it's no different from quitting smoking or drugs. The secret, she says, is changing your diet slowly and gradually getting yourself "hooked" on healthier foods.