Conquering Food Triggers and Live a Healthier Life
It’s no wonder that more than half of all Americans are overweight, as almost anywhere you go looking for a snack, you can walk out with a meal’s worth of saturated fat and calories. The same thing happens at home, with TV shows, newspaper and magazines that are filled with ads for snacks and desserts that are loaded with calories in between quick and easy diet remedies that are prone to fail. Although weight problems are often blamed on a lack of will power, it is not always that simple.
Many people who are called “food junkies” will eat their favorite foods whether they are hungry or not, even though they already know the health risks that are involved with overeating. As he or she become disappointed with gaining weight, their self-image and esteem drops significantly and they feel as if eating their favorite food will bring him comfort. To fight this vicious cycle, it’s important to recognize your food triggers and develop a strategy to overcome them. Some of the most common food triggers are alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, refined sugar and flour, fat, salt, wheat, spicy sauces, sensory triggers such as taste, smell, and sights and sounds, and eating routines. People need to learn to recognize their triggers and overcome their lure so that they are able to lose the unwanted pounds and keep them off.
The good news is that alcoholic beverages contain no fat, no cholesterol, and very little sodium. Additionally, some health benefits result from moderate use of alcohol, such as improved blood circulation and an increase in good cholesterol. Moderate consumption, which is defined as two drinks a day for men and one for women, will also not lead to weight gain. Alcohol stimulates the appetite, which often means consuming additional calories. The bad news is that alcohol is readily digested and absorbed regardless of its form, where it affects blood sugar levels almost immediately upon ingestion. Once it is absorbed, it is metabolized by the liver and used immediately as energy or stored as fat. Along with drinking in moderation, some other tips include eating low calorie food while you drink, skip a drink now and then, have a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic ones, and stay active.
Caffeine is the most popular mind-altering drug in the world, with studies showing that it’s habit forming. Most people think that caffeine gives them a boost of energy, but it doesn’t. A little may help to wake us up and give us an artificial sense of energy, too much plays havoc on our moods and overall well-being. Another food trigger, chocolate, not only tastes good, but can also make you feel better physically. Chocolate triggers endorphins to relax us, reduce stress, and possibly even depression. On the other hand, chocolate can cause migraines, acne, obesity, dental cavities, heartburn, rectal itching, and coronary problems.
Frequent consumption of chocolate leads to addiction, with many people being allergic to chocolate and don’t even realize the symptoms they have are caused by it. It also caused you to gain weight, being very high in sugar. Knowing your food triggers and eliminating they from your house and diet is the next step to weight loss and a healthier life style.
Darrell Miller
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