Buffer foods vs. Trigger foods

When it comes to dealing with cravings there are two approaches I like to take with clients (in addition to simple prevention strategies - like preparation).

I want to make you aware of two food classifications that can either make or break your ability to stay on track with your nutrition and avoid giving into cravings: buffer foods and trigger foods.

Buffer foods are foods that allow you to, with a small amount of indulgence, get rid of the cravings and thereby take in far fewer calories than you would have if you gave into the craving. Buffer foods typically include things like peanut butter, green smoothies, extra dark chocolate (or other items with cocoa). Think foods that give you the sweet or fat sensation but that you don’t want to eat a whole lot of.

Trigger foods typically increase cravings and caloric intake. For example, if you give into a craving for pancakes for breakfast in the morning, your blood sugar will spike and crash. You’ll get hungrier faster, eat more throughout the day, and have stronger cravings for starches and sugars.

Try replacing your trigger foods with buffer foods and see how your cravings and hunger are affected. What buffer foods will you try?