Fighting Food Cues - 
Ways to Win the Battle

Is it hard to walk past the cookie jar in your kitchen without grabbing a cookie or two? Can you resist the candy in a dish on your coffee table? These questions are examples of how you can identify Food Cues that trigger eating, even when hunger is not present.

Food cues can include billboards, aromas, the popcorn line at the movies, donuts in the break room, vending machines, samples at the grocery store and commercials on television. To help you fight these food cues, make a list of factors that trigger your eating. Next, think of solutions to help you eliminate these cues. Examples:

Food Cue Solution
Donuts in the break room Avoid going to the break room or save a piece of fruit from breakfast to have as a midmorning snack.

Leftovers on the stove Immediately after dishing food onto plates for meals, place leftovers in the refrigerator and run water in the dirty pans. 

Some tips to minimize food contact:

· Prepare a grocery list before you go to the store. Leave problem foods on the grocery shelf, do not bring them into your home.
· Store food out of sight - get rid of the cookie jar and candy dish.
· Send leftover desserts home with your company or take them to work 
· Serve food from the stove instead of serving it family-style.
· Put leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer immediately after the meal.
· Have each person, including children, rinse their plates and put them in the dishwasher.
· Eat a piece of fruit or fresh veggies to curb your appetite before dining out. This will help you to not over-indulge on the rolls in the breadbasket.
· Tell the waiter that you do not want the basket of chips or rolls to be brought to the table, especially if you are dining alone
· Request certain foods, such as chips or French fries, be left off your plate 

A good tip to remember: Planning ahead can help you achieve victory in the battle against your food cues and keep you from eating when you are not hungry.