I have wondered for a long time I can eat an entire bag of pretzels, or a full box of cereal and yet still be hungry moments later.

I thought I could just be damaged. (Still up for debate)

Well a recent study had some interesting findings and when combined with some existing data can offer up some answers.

For me and millions of others, high carb foods are often “trigger foods”.  A trigger food is a food that can trigger you to overeat or binge. You just keep eating.

I ask you – Is it possible to eat one Oreo? I say no.

 
Wrong kind of trigger

When you eat, all sorts of hormones do an elegant little dance in your body.  Some may call this dance a “war”.  Anyway, these hormones have numerous tasks, including telling your body what to store where, what to use and not use and when you are full.

The problem found by researchers is that high-carb meals actually kill the cells that produce the signal that your belly is full.  Apparently the cells that produce the “I’m hungry” hormones are naturally protected, but the “I’m full” ones are susceptible to attack and death. Talk about killer carbs.

So you take a high carb food that you are a prone to overeat  anyway- a trigger food,  and add to that the fact that eating that food kills off the cells that tell you you are full and you are screwed my friend.

No, not that Trigger either

So what can be done? Unfortunately, not a whole hell of a lot. The only strategy that works is avoiding the trigger food completely. I know it’s tricky, but if you don’t eat the trigger food, you can OVER eat the trigger food. Get it?

Other studies have shown that high protein meals satisfy much more than do high carb meals.  Fiber also works to fill you up too.  Concentrate your meals around a lean protein source, fibrous veggies and healthy fats and you should be all set.  That only sucks if you let it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Joshua Carter, CPT The Body Transformation Expert Carter Fitness http://carterfitness.com 818-337-6175

PS: One exception to the trigger food dilemma would be during your pre-planned cheat.  During the cheat (again, pre-planned not spur of the moment)you can turn that trigger food into a tool that actually accelerates fat loss when used correctly.