Strategies for trigger foods… 🍬🧁🍫
We all have ‘trigger’ foods – those foods you just can’t resist, the ones that once you have one bite you have to have the whole pack etc. If you’re trying to lose weight then managing your trigger foods is vital. You might just assume it’s better and easier to just cut them out? For some people at certain points of their journey then maybe yes. But this doesn’t need to be a permanent choice and probably can’t be if you want long term success.
If you do cut them out the once you have a good set of new habits ingrained you can shift back to incorporating them in moderation. Or if you’re someone who wants to continue to include them during your entire journey then you’ll need strategies to manage them.
Here are a few tips.
# Buy sweets/ chocolate/crisps etc in individual servings / multipacks – ideally individually wrapped. It helps when things are proportioned.
# Keep these foods out of sight. So rather than having them out on the side/ in the front of the cupboard or fridge, put them inside a Tupperware at the back of a cupboard. Out of sight , out of mind!
# Focus on addition rather than subtraction. Add more fruit and veggies to your meals and snacks. You’re never going to get ‘fat’ from too many carrots or strawberries so just load up on the fruits and veggies.
# Be mindful. Eat slowly, with no distractions, while paying attention to your sensations of hunger and fullness, your enjoyment, and your thoughts.
# If you reach for these foods when you’re stressed/upset etc try to comfort yourself in other ways first – then reach for the food eg cuddle your pet, curl up under a weighed blanket with a favourite show on, rant to a friend or in a journal etc .
# Study your relationship with certain foods. Whenever you find yourself wanting a specific food try to notice your craving, identify and name it, and investigate why you might be feeling that way. It helps in the long term to look at the reasons why.
🤗 Xx
Every Step Fitness 