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.

This year as I visit my brother and his family in El Dorado Hills Ca, (outside of Sacramento) I was thinking of the article I would write:  eat protein first, load up on veggies and go sparingly on the desserts.

F that.

Not this year.

This year has been a serious crap fest for a lot of people out there. There is enough for people to worry about without having to worry about what to (or not to) eat this Thanksgiving Holiday.

So here you go- I am giving you license to eat like a pig. Have at it.  No more eating in moderation.  Thanksgiving is a good day to say screw it all and go completely overboard.

Am I kidding? Nope, not this time.

Let’s face it: This holiday is centered around eating. Hell,  it is *all* about eating (oh yeah, and giving thanks- let’s not forget about that.)

And not it’s not just normal eating, it’s eating awesome stuff. Yeah, we should all give thanks about what we have, but how about we give thanks that Thanksgiving dinner usually rocks?

This year take a day off and eat whatever you want.  My plan centers around pie.  I am all about pumpkin pie. If there is room after pie I might have some turkey, we’ll have to see. (I do want to leave my options open).

 
Mmmm.. pie…

But here is where I need to reel you back in: DO NOT do this every day. Or even every week.  That is just plain stupid.

This type of culinary overdose should be reserved for rare and special occasions.  And the good news is that occasional over eating can actually increase fat burning during the "normal" days.  That is why I am an advocate of "cheat" days.

And this Thanksgiving more than ever is a great day for a cheat.

Friday, go have some turkey leftovers, maybe some other stuff left in the fridge.  But by then end of the long weekend the leftovers should be more or less depleted, and by Monday you should be back on track.

Thursday go nuts, really and truly monkey butts nuts.

Tell anyone who asks, Josh said it was cool.  If they have a problem with it they can email me, and when I wake up from my pie coma I will respond.

Mmmm…pie….

Happy Thanksgiving.

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