Food flavors that trigger overeating

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When visiting grocery supermarkets, many notice that the trading floors always smell delicious. However, not everyone realizes that the cause of pleasant aromas is not bakeries or catering establishments located in the same premises. The smells of "goodies", as a rule, are specially distributed by placing containers with artificial flavors in the pavilions. This is a marketing ploy that makes visitors spontaneously purchase a large amount of food.

The fact is that some food flavors activate the work of the brain centers responsible for appetite. Inhaling such smells, store visitors begin to experience a feeling of hunger, which stimulates the desire to purchase more food.

Today we will talk about those food flavors that are the leaders of this kind and are most often used by grocery store marketers.

 

1. Chocolate

Food flavors that provoke overeating | Chocolate

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A person associates the smell of chocolate with the most pleasant taste sensations and evokes positive emotions. Inhaling this aroma, we unconsciously return to early childhood, we feel the sweetness of mother’s milk, associated in our minds with security, kindness and peace.

Sensitivity to the smell and taste of chocolate varies among people of different genders and ages. For example, scientists know that many women simply cannot help but consume such a delicacy during certain periods of the menstrual cycle and even risk gaining excess weight. Fortunately, there is a simple trick to reduce the inevitable negative effects caused by excessive consumption of sweets.

In order not to buy extra “goodies”, you need to carry with you a bar of high-quality dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa. It does not contain very much sugar, and it is usually not possible to eat more than 2-3 slices at once. At any time, you can quickly satisfy your “chocolate hunger” attack without burdening your body with extra calories and avoiding purchasing a large number of products that are harmful to your figure.

 

2. Bakery products

Food flavors that provoke overeating | Bakery

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It is simply impossible to resist the aromas of warm dough, vanilla and cinnamon. They, like the smell of chocolate, evoke a feeling of reliability and comfort. It is not for nothing that many people whose work is associated with constant nervous tension love to buy fresh pastries at lunchtime or after a hard day.

If you cannot deny yourself sweet buns and pies, there is only one way out – control the amount of food eaten. Give preference to small cupcakes or cookies. Instead of "regular" bread, try to get used to its whole grain varieties or baked goods containing bran. Make it a rule to return from work on foot – this way you will spend at least part of the calories received as a result of eating flour.

 

3. BBQ

Food flavors that provoke overeating | B-B-Q

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The smell of grilled meat is very appetizing. As a result, a person almost always eats more than they need. Barbecue sauces also add extra calories: they usually contain such a high-calorie ingredient as corn syrup, as well as spicy and hot spices, which also contribute to overeating.

However, this should not be the reason for the complete rejection of such dishes. To minimize the harmful effects, you can do the following:

  • choose less high-calorie meats for barbecue (chicken breast, turkey, rabbit meat, etc.);
  • marinate the meat in advance and do not coat it with sauce before frying;
  • Maintain a moderate heat while cooking. The frying time will increase slightly, but the meat will turn out soft, and its surface will not char;
  • prepare the sauce yourself, avoiding large amounts of sugar, acid and hot spices;
  • eat with meat as many herbs as possible (cilantro, parsley, basil, dill), green onions and garlic, lettuce and fresh vegetables.

With this approach to the consumption of meat and other grilled products, you will get maximum pleasure and will not cause significant harm to the body.

 

4. Chips

Food flavors that provoke overeating | Chips

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Potato chips are recognized as the most harmful food product: with an almost complete absence of vitamins and other biologically active substances, they are oversaturated with salt and synthetic flavors (including those that provoke overeating and are addictive). Their regular use not only adversely affects the state of the digestive tract, but also leads to a partial rejection of ordinary food, which begins to be perceived as insipid and tasteless.

Nevertheless, many people eat chips daily: they are attracted by the smell of spices and flavorings, as well as the characteristic crunch, which, according to scientists, can also whet the appetite. Of course, eating any other potato dish is much preferable.

If you still really want chips, don't eat them from the bag. Place the slices on a plate, take one at a time and chew each piece thoroughly: this way you will eat less. There is another option: replace potato chips with salted nuts (for example, pistachios). This product still contains useful substances, and it is much more difficult to consume it in large quantities.

 

5. Bacon

Food flavors that provoke overeating | Bacon

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The smell of fried bacon is extremely attractive. It stimulates appetite and provokes overeating. No wonder this particular flavor is especially in demand in the production of chips, snacks, crackers and other popular fast food.

A small piece of smoked pork, fried with scrambled eggs or put on a sandwich, cannot harm a healthy person. The trouble is that the matter is usually not limited to one piece.

The bacon lover can fool his appetite to some extent and avoid overeating. For example, you can add smoked tomatoes or paprika to cooking dishes: their smell is very similar to the aroma of smoked pork. You can replace pork bacon with smoked turkey breast, which contains fewer calories.

 

The problem of dependence of appetite on enticing food flavors will be largely solved if you constantly control your actions. It is very important to keep track of the portions of the food you consume at home or at food outlets. It is always possible to buy one pie instead of two or bake cupcakes in smaller molds. In addition, it is desirable to generally reduce the amount of cooked food consumed and give preference to home-cooked dishes, the composition of which is precisely known.

When visiting grocery stores, there is an opportunity to avoid spontaneous purchases provoked by the tricks of marketers. Experts advise never to buy food when you are hungry, because an increased appetite almost always leads to an uncontrolled filling of the basket with excess products. It is also useful to come to the store with a pre-compiled list of products and have a limited amount of money with you (preferably in cash, not on a bank card). By following these rules, you can avoid unnecessary spending and eating unnecessary and unhealthy food.

Source: neboleem.net