How to Outsmart Food Triggers and Traps

Let’s face it, changing your eating habits is difficult. And we live in an environment that’s filled with temptations! If you want to have a successful weight loss program, it is important to learn how to outsmart food triggers and traps.

If you want to make positive changes that last, it’s important to identify food traps – those seemingly innocent choices that smash your calorie budget. For example, did you know that a banana muffin can cost you a quarter of your daily calorie budget?

You also need to know your overeating triggers, like social eating or TV snacking, and the types of foods that always leave you wanting more. At Atlanta Endocrine, our coaches are experts at helping you identify and overcome these triggers and food traps. They’ve shared some tips to help you stay on a successful diet plan.

Retrain your brain. 

Healthier habits happen with repetition – continuing to stick to your plan will become your new normal.

Say “yes” to staying full.

As long as you’re choosing foods that are part of your weight loss program, you never have to be hungry. Fill up on low calorie healthy foods and skip the high calorie foods that will make you gain weight.

Make a shift with snacks.

Whether you’re eating out of hunger or habit, make it easier to choose snacks that satisfy your cravings and still support your weight loss goal by having them readily available.

Think ahead.

Most people have no idea what they’re going to have for dinner tonight, much less the rest of the day! Planning your meals and snacks is key to staying on track.

Anchor your plate with vegetables.

Don’t eat less. Eat better! Cover more than half your plate with veggies.

Practice out of sight, out of mind.

Remove the temptation altogether. Keep the foods that trigger you most out of sight—and out of the house—so you can’t be tempted to have “just one bite.”

Stay strong.

Veering off your plan, even just a little, is never a good idea. Once you allow one slip up, the pattern usually continues.

Never assume there will be something healthy “there.”

It’s astonishing how many calories are in the average sit-down restaurant meal—even more than most fast foods. Just one portion can undo several days of hard work!

When it comes to eating right, knowledge is definitely power. And prevention is key. With solid planning and a weight loss program that keeps you prepared, it’ll be easier not to fall for food traps or succumb to triggers. Our program will keep you full with healthy foods that keep you progressing towards your goals. We will also help you replace old patterns with new, healthier habits as you retrain yourself to respond differently to triggers and beat them.

It takes a serious commitment to change your relationship with food. And we’re seriously committed to helping you do it.

If you’re struggling to with weight loss, you need the help of an obesity medicine specialist. For the greatest weight loss, consider our decision-free program. Call 404-531-0350 for more information or click here to watch a short video about the program. We offer the option of weight loss medications with the in-clinic version of HMR, or with medical supervision using the HMR at Home Program. For the convenience of online support, try our at-home program. Click here. If you’d like to learn more about permanent weight loss, please feel free to call us or schedule an appointment with Dr. Isaacs using the online booking tool on this website.

Author
Scott Isaacs, MD Endocrinologist and Weight Loss Specialist

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