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A key to sustained weight control is in knowing how to reset hypothalamus function preventing the body from trying to create fat reserves. Our body has the life saving ability to store food energy as fat, in history when times were good and food was plentiful this served as a useful purpose. Hunter-gathers often had times when there was little or no food and these reserves of fat meant survival rather than starvation.

Now most people have plenty of food available all of the time, so they no longer experience period of feast or famine. Therefore, we really don't need large fat reserves any more. However, the hypothalamus has not evolved to recognize this situation. So unless we can reset hypothalamus function with healthy eating that is carefully planned, we will get fatter thanks to our body's old survival strategies.

One thing to realize is that the total number of calories you eat is not the only factor when it comes to weight management. It is also important to consider where those calories come from. Different types of foods are processed by the body differently and this can affect whether excess calories are burned or stored as fat. By choosing the correct foods, you can actually reset hypothalamus responses to work for you in achieving your weight loss goals.

The hypothalamus is a gland which is responsible for regulating appetite. This gland, set deep in the brain, signals the feelings of hunger and satiation. Unfortunately for those trying to lose weight, it can up to 20 minutes for the hypothalamus to signal the feeling of being full after we've already eaten enough. Therefore, to help prevent overeating, be in control of your own hypothalamus by eating more slowly. Eating more slowly gives the slow hypothalamus the time to better adjust your hunger based on how much you've already eaten.

Dietary fat is loaded with calories compared to the other two basic dietary constituents, proteins and carbohydrates. Each gram of fat contains nine calories, whereas each gram of protein or carbohydrate contains four calories. However, a healthy diet requires some fats. But all fats are not created equal. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are generally preferable to saturated and "trans" fats. Eating foods high in protein, but low in fat, is wise because protein is converted in the body more slowly, limiting hunger, while providing the material for tissue healing and construction.

Carefully choosing carbs is the most important factor in retraining your hypothalamus from storing up fat. Simple carbohydrates, such as those found in syrup, honey, and sugar, absorb into the body quickly. This results in a barrage of hormones being released as a signal to the hypothalamus to begin hoarding fat. Complex carbohydrates, such as those found in fruit, vegetables, and whole grain, take much longer to seep into the system. So they do not trigger the fat-storing process. Putting less stress on your hypothalamus will keep you from saving up fat.

The way to dodge the hypothalamus' instinct to store fat for lean times is to eat a healthy and balanced diet, geared toward maintaining your current weight. Such a diet includes whole grains, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins but limits the consumption of simple sugars.