Khaberni - Recent research has revealed that the secret behind the success of diets lies not only in "what we eat", but in "how we think" about what we eat. The relationship between the mind and body plays a central role in determining levels of hunger and satiety, where our mental expectations of a meal affect the hormone response within our bodies.
The "milkshake" trick
The mind leads the hormones in a famous experiment conducted by psychologist "Alia Crum" from Stanford University, where the same drink (milkshake) was presented to two groups; the first group was told it was a "healthy, low-calorie" drink, while the second was told it was "fatty and calorie-rich".
The result was astonishing; the people who believed they were drinking the "fatty" shake experienced a sharp decrease in the hunger hormone (ghrelin), which made them feel satiated for a longer period.
However, those who believed it was "healthy" did not experience the same reduction in hormone levels, meaning they remained hungry despite consuming the same amount of real calories.
The trap of "healthy labels" and guilt
Studies have also shown that foods bearing labels like "low-fat" or "light" can yield counterproductive results. When we eat food we mentally classify as "only healthy", a preconceived notion of not enjoying it arises, prompting us to compensate by eating larger amounts later.
Moreover, people who feel "guilty" about eating a piece of cake often fail to lose weight compared to those who indulge with enjoyment and awareness.
No to Deprivation
Research advises the need to change our view of food from a "chemical burden" to an "enjoyable experience." Instead of focusing on harsh deprivation, we should focus on psychological satisfaction from the meal. A mentality that feels deprived leads to a slowdown in the metabolic process, whereas a mindset that feels satisfied helps the body burn energy more efficiently.
In summary, experts say that enjoying a small piece of dessert consciously and without guilt may be more beneficial for the weight loss journey than consuming a "boring" healthy meal that leaves you in constant search for more.
