• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

15 Science Fiction Films That Will Break Your Brain

15 Science Fiction Films That Will Break Your Brain

Equality, Sexiest man alive

Blake Shelton, SMA 2017, And A Word About Equality

how to take care of winter boots

How to Take Care of Winter Boots

Ikea hack

DIY this: Favourite IKEA Hacks

More Posts from this Category

Life In Pleasantville

Food, Travel, Life

  • Home
  • Travel
    • Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
    • Caribbean
      • Jamaica
    • Europe
      • France
      • Holland
      • Italy
    • Mexico
    • RVing
    • Tahiti
    • United States
      • California
      • The Florida Keys
      • New York City
  • Food & Drink
  • Life
    • Divorce
    • Humour
    • Parenting
  • TV & Radio
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Travel
    • Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
    • Caribbean
      • Jamaica
    • Europe
      • France
      • Holland
      • Italy
    • Mexico
    • RVing
    • Tahiti
    • United States
      • California
      • The Florida Keys
      • New York City
  • Food & Drink
  • Life
    • Divorce
    • Humour
    • Parenting
  • TV & Radio

Willpower Does Not Exist

By //  by Theresa Albert

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

By Theresa Albert, Toronto Nutritionist, www.myfriendinfood.com

 We think we are in complete control of our senses but there’s a new study that proves just how unperceptive we can be about our food intake.  Now we are learning that the color of cutlery influences our perception of how food tastes.

willpower does not exist

One study finds that size shape and weight of the spoon affects how people assess flavor. Some assessments went so far as tasting “expensive” because the spoon was heavier.  What it tells me, as a nutritionist is that the brain makes judgements even before food goes into your mouth which indicates that we are less aware and more influenced by our surroundings than we think.

Previous studies have shown how we are more inspired to eat more jellybeans if there are more colors and that the placement of a candy dish which is clear or opaque influences how many we pop into our mouths.

This backs up my oft repeated phrase that “willpower does not exist; only systems work”.  The best and most effective way to control your food intake and consciously enjoy what is going in your mouth is to have an unwavering process through which you chew each day.

Another study suggested that employers should feed their staff or at least insist on a lunch break. The study found that lunch skippers were more likely to make poor or risky decisions since the flight or fight triggers fired when hunger was at play.  (In my world, we call it “hangry”) This state caused less clear thinking and more aggressive behavior.  Blame your employer if your cubicle mate is ticking you off by 3 o’clock.

Some tips on how to fix it:

The more systematic you can make your life, the fewer decisions you will have to make on the fly.

  • Breakfast is always the same on weekdays-Magic Muesli http://www.myfriendinfood.com/2012/01/23/magic-muesli/
  • Exercise is put first daily, even a 10 minute round of jumping jacks will set you up for success
  • Pack a lunch. Soups and Stews or leftover salads are right in the fridge begging to come along
  • Take a break and eat lunch. Duh.
  • Have a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts at 3 pm
  • Do what you want for dinner as long as you have 2 vegetables and nothing deep fried

See? Simple.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Tweet

Related

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Living, Uncategorized Tagged With: food, health, My Friend in Food, Theresa Albert, willpower

About Theresa Albert

Theresa is a Communications Expert, Author, Speaker, Toronto Nutritionist, and sought after multi-media presenter. She is a regular guest on the international daily lifestyle show CBC’ Steven and Chris and covering news on CTV Newschannel making sense of health news as well as CBC The National.

You will find her tweeting at www.twitter.com/@theresaalbert, pinning at www.pinterest/friendinfood.com and on facebook at www.facebook.com/theresaalbert. To lurk all of Theresa’s social activity in one spot check out her personal page: www.rebelmouse.com/theresaalbert/

Named one of Canada’s Top 25 Tweeters by Today’s Parent Magazine and one of Savvymom.ca’s 35 Favorite Bloggers, she communicates about food and health where the action is. Boundless energy and the ability to distill complex concepts into simple, achievable ideas are her key strengths.

Previous Post: «summer vacation Still Lacking a Summer Vacation Plan?
Next Post: The Ultimate Camp Care Package for Girls camp care package»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chantal

    July 3, 2013 at 10:38 am

    I remember hearing a study that said that people found that water tasted better when they drank it out of a more expensive glass. So if you are having trouble getting your water down, dig out that crystal glass set you go for your wedding that you never use. Decant some water and you’ll be happier to drink it. Funny how our minds work eh.

  2. Theresa Albert

    July 3, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Yes! and drop in one raspberry and the whole world changes. 🙂

  3. amyboughner

    July 4, 2013 at 11:21 am

    I love water, I don’t understand people

Trackbacks

  1. Amuse Bouche | Edible Arts says:
    July 5, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    […] our surroundings influence what we eat—does the concept of will power survive these […]

Primary Sidebar

Connect With Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Connect with Me on Facebook

Connect with Me on Facebook

La Dolce Vita

best coconut cream pie

Forget The Rest, This is The Best Coconut Cream Pie

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Banana Muffins

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Now You Know

Ladies, Don’t Leave Your Winter Tire Switch to Your Husband

Many ladies I know in Ontario have made a move to a mythical land I like to call Denial. Denial is a pretty place, where the weather is always warm and food has no calories. It's filled with procrastinators who refuse to …

Christmas_Mourning

Christmas Mourning

This year my holiday spirit is...well, less than stellar, which does not bode well in my house since my husband is already on the naughty list for not being a fan of the holidays any year. When my cheer’o’meter is low, I …

Give Thanks, Not Spanx – Keep Weight Off During the Holidays

Give Thanks, Not Spanx - Keep Weight Off During the Holidays By Theresa Albert, DHN, RNCP www.myfriendinfood.com Much of the disastrous 10 pounds per decade (that is suspected of being the foundation of our obesity …

What to Pack in a Carry-On

The hotel is booked, your bags are packed, and the flight is leaving in a few hours. That's it, right? NO! That's not it. A seasoned traveller knows what to pack in a carry-on bag. Forget laptops and …

How to Get The Sleep You Need When Life Keeps You Up

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I like to ever so casually give my husband a nudge. What can I say, he irritates me lying there so peacefully. The man can literally sleep anywhere, anytime, under any conditions …

Five Easy Health Hacks to Avoid Holiday Burnout

It’s heeere. Holiday burnout is real, and it can suck the life out of you during the most wonderful time of the year. Around this time, already stretched-too-thin women, get stretched just a little bit further and mental …

More Posts from this Category

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Contact
0 shares
 

Loading Comments...