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Sneaky Things That Make You Eat More

Sneaky Things That Make You Eat More - El Paso Chiropractor

Ever find yourself going about your day, not even thinking about food, when all of a sudden your appetite kicks in, and you’re at the drive-thru or rummaging through your pantry, looking for whatever it is you crave?

That’s because feeling hungry often has little to do with whether your system really needs food and a lot more to do with some sneaky cues and behaviors you encounter without realizing it. These 6 are among the biggest offenders tricking you into thinking you’re hungry when you really aren’t.

Cooking Shows


There may be a downside to turning to TV for recipe inspiration. A new study found that people who cook from scratch based on recipes they got off a cooking show weighed 11 pounds more than those who watched these shows but didn’t cook very often. The authors of the study, from Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab, think the extra pounds might have to do with how indulgent TV recipes are. When people make them at home and consume them, they think it’s okay to take in all the extra calories.

Orange and Red-Colored Foods


From a biological perspective, humans “tend to seek out vibrant colored foods, as these contain the most vitamins and minerals,” says Susan Albers, PsyD, clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic and author of 50 More Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food. “The response is subconscious…think about a time when you’ve walked through a grocery store and found yourself picking up a sack of oranges or bag of red peppers.” But that instinct works against you when you’re face to face with a plate of mac and cheese or gooey nachos. These dishes share a similar hue as oranges do, but they have way more fat and calories.

Food Packages on Kitchen Counter


You know the saying, out of sight is out of mind? That definitely applies to food as well, and it sums up the dangers of not putting your groceries away as soon as you come back from the supermarket or leaving out half-eaten boxes of takeout pizza. When you see these items, even in their containers, your appetite gets going, and it’s hard to resist consuming them.

“People tend to reach automatically for foods that are within arm’s reach,” Dr. Albers says. “If it’s there, you’re likely to eat it.” One study shows that people who keep soda and cereal on their counters weigh a startling 26 pounds more than those who opt to tuck them away in a pantry.

Other People Eating


You’re having drinks with friends when someone orders a round of apps. You weren’t hungry at all before the order was placed, so why did you dig in when the food arrived at the table? We automatically match the pace at which people around us eat and “mirror” their behavior, Dr. Albers explains, and that’s true even if they’re at another table and you don’t know them. You could also blame a little social anxiety. “We’re simply trying to fit in and make a situation more comfortable,” she adds.

Large Plates


If you’re served a heaping pile of food on a large plate, you’ll likely try to finish it, even after you’re already full. “We naturally eat more off of large plates and bowls,” says Dr. Albers. It’s a mean trick your eyes play on you. Larger plates cause us to think a serving of food is smaller than it actually appears. One study showed that people scarfed down 16% more cereal than usual when it was served to them in a bigger bowl.

A Happy Mood


You know about stress eating: tough day of work = pint of ice cream. But it’s not just negative emotions that lead us to dive into our kitchens. Positive emotions like joy, excitement, and even love can crank your appetite as well. It has to do with the fact that certain foods, like chocolate, trigger satisfying neurochemical responses in the brain. “We want to hold onto [those happy emotions], and another creamy bar of chocolate or crispy bag of chips promises to keep the good feelings rolling,” says Dr. Albers.

Also, when life is going well and you feel good, you’re more relaxed and less vigilant about your calorie intake. “People actually eat more when they’re in a happy relationship,” Dr. Albers notes.

Green-Call-Now-Button-24H-150x150.pngThe scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness


Maintaining overall health and wellness of the body can be achieved through a balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and/or exercise, as well as by getting plenty of rest. Along with these basic principles, its important to receive whole body maintenance, especially making sure the spine is properly aligned, ensuring the nervous system is functioning to its fullest capabilities. Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment option which focuses on musculoskeletal and nervous system conditions and injuries, helping to maintain spinal health.

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The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to contact us. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*