Adherence

A 6-month behavioral weight-loss intervention using a specific dietary composition (high protein/fiber, low glycemic index) reverses obesity-related hyperactivation of the reward system to high-calorie food cues and increases activation to low-calorie food cues in the striatum.

To retrain your brain's reward system, follow a structured behavioral plan for 6 months that focuses on specific dietary composition rather than just calorie counting. Aim for meals with high fiber and protein (approx. 25% of energy) and low-glycemic carbohydrates (50% of energy), totaling at least 40g of fiber daily. Use portion control and 'free foods' (low-calorie items) to manage hunger. This approach has been shown to physically change brain activity, reducing the reward signal for junk food and increasing it for healthy food, which supports sustainable weight loss.