Congratulations to our 6-Week Challengers! You made it to the end, AND YOU DIDN’T DIE! HA!
Now, if you haven’t already done so, the temptation to indulge in some of your pre-weight-loss favorites may be on your mind, but don’t be surprised if that giant cookie a la mode or that $5 greasy pizza from your favorite restaurant or take-out doesn’t quite taste like you remembered. In fact, it may taste way too sweet, salty or fatty to even enjoy. Is this because your taste buds change?
Do Taste Buds Change?
Technically speaking, yes, they change completely about every 7 years, however, you’re probably referring more to your food preferences which takes only a few short weeks to start making adjustments.
Why Do My Cravings Change?
It’s not just your tongue that’s involved, either. Did you know that your gut also contains taste receptors for both fats and sugars? Your body begins to crave junk food less when you reduce or cut it out. When you begin to nourish your body with good foods, your gut changes, your brain changes, even your hormones change, which all affect how you perceive things like fats and sugars. When these changes happen throughout the body, your body also begins to send signals to your brain that you would actually PREFER that loaded salad bowl over a greasy bowl of pasta. And, when you do decide to take a bite of something unhealthy, it probably won’t have the same appeal as it did before.
Why Maintenance Becomes Important
Just as your food preferences or “taste buds change†for the better, they can also be eased back into preferring the junk, too. Surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded health-conscious individuals becomes important to maintain your new lifestyle, and for some individuals, this will be a lifelong struggle to continue making healthful choices for yourself. You’ve got the tools to continue on this journey, but we hope you won’t choose to make this journey alone.