CSIRO studies cravings as barrier to weight loss

They are one of the biggest obstacles to losing weight. Now CSIRO scientists have revealed one key way to beat cravings.

CSIRO scientists have uncovered the secret to tackling one of the biggest obstacles to weight loss — cravings.

A study has found that starting with meal replacement shakes and transitioning to healthy eating helps dieters kick cravings and enjoy more weight loss.

Evidence shows that those who start strong in the first three weeks of a weight loss program go on to lose 3.5 times more weight.

Off the back of the findings, CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet has launched its new Fast Start program.

A recent survey of 330 Australians revealed that 66 per cent of respondents reported a constant struggle to resist higher levels of cravings, while 82 per cent said it would be easier to lose weight without cravings.

Using meal replacements could help to stop cravings in people who are trying to lose weight, the CSIRO has found.

With one in five of this group also reporting more than 25 attempts to actively manage their weight, CSIRO conducted a follow up study to explore alternative ways they could better curb their cravings and avoid derailing their weight loss.

The follow up study asked participants to engage in three weeks of partial meal replacement, before making a fully supported transition into the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet’s high protein, low-GI wholefoods program.

On average, participants that completed the study lost 4.1kg in the first three weeks of using meal replacement shakes within their diet, and 80 per cent of people reported feeling better at controlling their cravings. By week six, participants lost an average of 5.9 kg, two-thirds achieved a clinically significant weight loss, and confidence in their ability to resist cravings increased by 19 per cent.

“With 67 per cent of Australians overweight or obese it’s more important than ever that scientists continue to find new ways to help people lose weight. There is no one-size-fits all approach to healthy weight loss. We know that people who experience higher than average cravings not only have more weight to lose, but also lose less weight than

others,” CSIRO research scientist and report author Gilly Hendrie said.

“The evidence from our study shows that a supported transition using meal replacements to a

wholefoods diet can help people lose weight, learn to eat well and adopt healthy practices,” Dr Hendrie said.

Originally published as CSIRO studies cravings as barrier to weight loss