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What is a trigger food?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

A trigger food is any food that makes you feel sick, tired, or just not yourself. Some obvious symptoms are digestive issues, like gas, bloating, upset stomach, nausea, or a gurgling tummy. Trigger foods can also lead to skin issues, hay fever headaches, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance, or anxiety.

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Question

How do you deal with trigger foods?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Remove any potential trigger foods from your diet. Then, reintroduce each food one at a time. Wait a few days to see if you have a negative reaction—if you feel okay, add a different food back into your diet.

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Question

What should I avoid eating?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Try removing sugar, gluten, and processed foods from your diet as much as possible.

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What do food triggers feel like?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Well, this is a complex question. We must understand that our personal cravings are related to a complex network within the brain and that the mere thought of food can activate the pleasure center of the brain, for example. The feeling will depend on the specific food and your personal situation.

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Question

What triggers eating binges?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Dopamine is a key player in your cravings.When we crave something, the brain releases dopamine and reinforces the desire. When you have an opportunity to eat what you crave, this triggers the pleasure center in the brain, allowing the release of an additional wave of dopamine.

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How do I find my trigger foods?

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Asa Don Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in working with families, children, and couples, treating a variety of psychological disorders, trauma, and abuse. Dr. Brown has specialized in negotiation and profiling. He is also a prolific author having published three books and numerous articles in magazines, journals, and popular publications. Dr. Brown earned a BS in Theology and Religion with a minor in Marketing and an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family from The University of Great Falls. Furthermore, he received a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He is also a candidate for a Masters of Liberal Arts through Harvard University. Dr. Brown is a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate for the National Center for Crisis Management and continues to serve a number of psychological and scientific boards.

Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

The foods that we crave may be related to our biopsychosocial environments. The cravings are learned and may be culturally based or stimulated by a fast food campaign. You have to take a look inward to really identify and control your trigger foods.

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Question

What are common trigger foods?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Sugar, gluten, egg, soy, citrus, bananas, corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beef, dairy, caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol are all pretty common trigger foods and ingredients.

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