FLAVOR POINT DIET
David Katz, an associate professor at Yale's School of Public Health, and “Good Morning America” medical contributor, designed The Flavor Point Diet as a way to allow dieters the choice of enjoying their favorite foods. Naturally, research was conducted at Yale, and it was determined that a ‘flavor point’ is reached when eating that indicates to a person that they are satisfied and full. The answer is simply to better organize foods so that the flavor point is reached quicker and not sent into ‘overdrive’.
Foods Emphasized: Whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables
Foods Discouraged: Eating too many different flavored foods at one time
Premise and Guidelines: This weight-loss plan takes some thought and strategy. The premise of this weight loss diet is 44 flavors, and focuses on different flavors each day. Apparently, there is a point in every meal where a feeling of fullness is reached. This is called ‘sensory-specific satiety’ and it means that we tend to stop eating when flavors are limited, yet will continue chowing down if presented with diverse flavors. Eating the same types of flavors at each meal will cause your brain to adjust to that flavor and feel full quicker. By not triggering overeating with numerous flavors at one sitting, weight-loss is easier and even enjoyable.
There are three phases of this diet starting out with phase one in which each day is flavor themed. In phase two, the adopted flavors begin to drop. By phase three, all flavors are removed from the diet. Meals begin with a salad and end with a warm beverage which will signal the brain that the body is full. There are no foods that are restricted or nutrients that are missed in this diet.
The theory of monothematic meal flavors really does appear to be applicable. Flavor Point brings a little-known but scientifically proven fact to the ‘table’: Flavor variety stimulates the appetite center in your brain, while flavor repetition soothes it. Eating a variety of flavors over time or over several meals is acceptable, but eating too many flavors at any one time causes the brain's appetite center to become overactive. The goal of this diet is satisfying your appetite on less food, and Flavor Point resolves that issue. The drawback is making the time and planning to coordinate all meals with one flavor –something that may be impractical for the busy, modern-day lifestyle.