Tackling Trigger Times & Tempting Treats – Yes, Chocolate Included!

Welcome back to your BEEWEIGHED blog – where we support each other through every high and low on the journey to a healthier you. This week’s topic hits close to home for many of us: Trigger Times and Trigger Foods – those moments or treats that feel impossible to resist.

Whether it’s a square of chocolate turning into the whole bar or feeling ravenous at 9pm, we’ve all been there. The good news? You’re not alone – and there are ways to handle it.

What Are Trigger Times and Trigger Foods?

• Trigger times are certain parts of the day (or emotional moments) when you’re more likely to make off-plan choices – like mid-afternoon slumps, late evenings, or stressful moments.

• Trigger foods are the specific things you struggle to stop eating once you start – for many, it’s chocolate, crisps, biscuits, or cheese.

Common Trigger Moments We See in Group:

• After dinner (especially once the kids are in bed)

• Mid-afternoon slump at work (3pm biscuit dash, anyone?)

• When watching TV or scrolling on your phone

• Feeling bored, stressed, tired, or emotional

• Weekends and special occasions

Recognising YOUR trigger times is the first step – then you can start to build a plan to tackle them.

Chocolate – Friend or Foe?

Let’s be real – chocolate is delicious, comforting, and… very easy to overdo. But cutting it out completely can sometimes make cravings worse.

Instead, try these smart swaps and strategies:

1. Buy Individually Wrapped Portions

Choose mini bars (like 2-finger KitKats, Freddos, or treat-size options) so you’re not tempted to keep going.

2. Keep It Out of Sight

If you have it in the house for the kids or family, store it somewhere out of reach – or ask someone else to manage it for a while.

3. Set a Chocolate Curfew

No chocolate after 7pm? Try it! Sometimes boundaries help you break the habit.

4. Go Dark

If you love the taste of chocolate, try switching to a small piece of dark chocolate – rich and satisfying with less sugar.

5. Distract Yourself

When the craving hits, go for a walk, brush your teeth, paint your nails, or drink a hot drink first. The urge often passes after 10 minutes.

Tips to Tackle Trigger Times

1. Have a Plan

Know when your danger zones are and plan snacks or activities around them. If 9pm is your weak spot, make a hot drink and bring a healthier snack like a protein bar or fat-free yogurt.

2. Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals often leads to bingeing later. Eat balanced, satisfying meals throughout the day to reduce cravings.

3. Track Your Triggers

Write down when and why cravings hit – is it boredom, tiredness, stress? Once you know why, you can tackle the root cause.

4. Swap the Habit

If chocolate is your go-to when you feel stressed, can you swap it for a quick walk, journaling, or even a chat with a friend or group member?

5. Keep Emergency Options

Keep lower-calorie snacks available for when the urge strikes – like low-cal chocolate mousse, sugar-free jelly, or a 10-cal hot chocolate.

Remember: You’re In Control

Trigger foods and times aren’t the enemy – but how we handle them makes all the difference. The more we understand our habits, the more power we have to change them.

And if you slip up? Don’t beat yourself up. Reflect, reset, and keep going. That’s what BEEWEIGHED is all about – support, not shame.

Got a great tip that works for you? Share it in your group – you never know who you might help!