We have all been there, right? We’re curled up in front of the TV with a bowl of ice cream and suddenly we look down and are shocked to find that it’s all gone.  Someone else must have come along and helped themselves or perhaps it was a case of momentary possession; we think, “Certainly I could not have eaten all of that! Could I?”

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say, yes you can. Certain fats, specifically palmitic acid which is found in beef, butter, cheese, and ice cream can interact with our brain chemistry, telling our body to ignore the hormones (insulin and leptin) that signal you when you are full. That is a scary prospect in itself, but they also found that the effects can last for up to three days, which may explain why people who “splurge” on the weekend find it harder to get back on track come Monday.

So where does that leave us? Are we doomed to forever avoid our favorite foods for fear that we many not be able to control ourselves? Absolutely not! Knowledge is power and by keeping the researchers’ findings in mind we can take steps to regain control.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Pre-portion or buy pre-portioned servings of higher fat/calorie foods.
• Practice mindful eating.
• Tell your family and friends about your health goals – ask them not to bring home bags of cookies or whole cakes.
• Try new things – instead of ice cream, try sorbet or fruit for dessert.
• Go for a walk after dinner instead of sitting down to watch TV.
• Incorporate regular weighing and food journaling to help you monitor your progress (whether it is weight loss or maintenance).

Remember, while our environment can be a powerful force, you have the power of information and choice to change how you react to that environment.