Tricks for losing weight more successful than dieting

Losing weight: tricks more promising than dieting?

06/08/2011

US consumer psychologists have presented a study at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society in Washington, according to which some simple tricks can help you lose weight more than comprehensive diets. It is mainly about "outsmarting oneself and changing old ways of life and eating habits". In the rich surplus countries is on the stomach no longer reliable.

In his study, Brian Wansink from Cornell University in Ithaca has studied various psychological effects that significantly affect calorie intake during eating. A key conclusion of the US researcher: The signals of the stomach is reliable and when losing weight, it is easier to outwit yourself with a few tricks than to go through a comprehensive diet.

Losing weight with the help of psychological tricks
The US scientist said at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society that psychological effects affect food intake far more than most people are aware of. However, a few simple tricks make it possible to outsmart one's own stomach and make weight loss much easier, emphasized Wansink. These tricks should help, „to change habits and eat healthier without much thought, instead of just stuffing food into us thoughtlessly,“ explained the consumer scientist. Wansink, for example, calls the meal of the main meals from a salad plate a possible aid in losing weight. Because through a smaller plate, the feeders tend to smaller portions with constant satiety, so the statement of the US scientist. For example, according to Wansink, previous studies have shown that children consume less cornflakes and cereals when they serve breakfast from smaller bowls rather than large ones.

Large vessels increase the food and drink quantities
A similar effect has been shown in another study, in which 60 study participants served a soup - one half of ordinary soup bowls and the other from „bottomless“ Bowls that continuously refilled through a hidden mechanism in the bottom of the bowl. From the prepared bowls, the subjects ate about 73 percent more than from the normal soup bowls. Both of these studies, according to the US researcher, prove that the choice of plates and vessels has a significant impact on the amounts of food. As far as the drinks are concerned, according to Brian Wansink, the choice of glass has a similar impact on the quantities consumed. Thus, a narrow tall glass can help to save calories. Thick-bellied glasses, however, tempt to pour more and drink more, with the difference between the narrow and thick-bellied vessels can make up about 37 percent, explained the US scientist.

Consciously eat and focus on food intake
In addition, changes in eating habits also require those concerned to become aware of it. This should be avoided, for example, the dinner in front of the TV, because television far too distract from the food, said Wansink. In addition, meals should be taken at the dining table as this will help focus on food intake. In order to reduce the consumption of seductive, but most of all, particularly unhealthy foods, the US scientist also proposes to place the appropriate foods out of sight, out of sight, out of sight in the refrigerator or shelf. Overall, it is clear „easier to change the environment than to rephrase the brain, “ so the conclusion of the US psychologist.

Simple weight loss strategies
According to the US researcher lead „all these simple strategies“ when losing weight „rather to success than the will alone.“ They can help those affected to change their eating habits without having to make the same demands on the discipline as a comprehensive diet. According to Brian Wansink, the psychological effects of food intake also suggest the conclusion, „that one should not listen to his stomach, whether one is already full. He can lie.“

Obesity is one of the serious risk factors in Western industrial nations. In general, the risks of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, myocardial infarction, thrombosis and circulatory disorders are greatly increased if a person is moderate to severely overweight over a longer period of time. Recent studies also indicate that the risk of cancer, among other factors, greatly increases if obesity persists for several years. On the other hand, the risk of disease lowers if it is possible to reduce the weight sustainably and permanently. Those who lose weight can regain the feeling of lightness and agility as well as a sense of well-being. In order to strengthen the process of lifestyle change, there is the natural possibility of using acupuncture to strengthen the will. (Fp)

Also read:
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Losing weight through acupuncture

Picture: Ernst Rose