Too often, the problem with eating right is that it is not as satisfying as eating wrong. Part of this may stem from our training from birth to enjoy overly salty, sweet, and fatty foods. For example, who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie? And who can stop at one? The combination of the three flavors (salt, sugar and fat) is “hyper-palatable” according to Dr. David Kessler, author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite.
Besides the preference for this unhealthy trio of tastes, another piece of the puzzle involves how eating triggers specific mechanics that translate into feelings of satisfaction, hunger, appetite and pleasure. Although it seems counterintuitive, the way to trigger a sensation of satisfaction is through the nose, not the stomach. In one research study of 1,436 subjects, non-caloric aromatic crystals were added to food to stimulate satisfaction. The results were astounding: the average weight loss was 30 pounds.
With this information in mind, cut back on the deadly trio (salt, sugar and unhealthy fats) and add flavors and aromas (think spices) to your recipes. Smell your food before and during your meals. You’ll be giving your body the nutrition it needs along with the satisfaction it craves. When you do, you’ll find that your pleasure in food—not your iron discipline—will eventually shrink your waistline.
Photo courtesy of Zsuzsanna Kilian
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