When bariatric patients struggle with cravings, emotional eating, and rebound weight gain, the issue often goes deeper than willpower—it’s about rewriting your mindset.

In a powerful conversation hosted by Elias Ortiz & Company (EOC) and Kayla Lavende, bariatric mentor and food addiction coach Shenelle Coplien dropped a mindset shift that’s helping countless people reframe their relationship with food:

“I just tell myself I’m allergic to that.”

This isn’t a clinical diagnosis. It’s a mental strategy to reclaim control over trigger foods—the ones that cause blood sugar spikes, emotional obsession, and weight regain.

Why the 'Food Allergy' Mindset Works

After gastric sleeve or bypass surgery, your body may respond differently to certain foods. They may:

• Trigger intense cravings

• Stall your weight loss

• Cause digestive distress or inflammation

• Lead to obsessive thinking and compulsive eating

That’s why Shenelle tells clients to imagine they’re allergic to those foods. Like someone with a shellfish or peanut allergy, the idea isn’t negotiable—it becomes a clear, healthy boundary.

This tactic isn’t just mental. It reshapes your emotional and behavioral response to food. As Shenelle explains:

“It wasn’t even a temptation… because in my brain, I was allergic.”

 

Twofold Problem: Metabolism + Obsession

Trigger foods are a twofold problem:

1. Physical: Your body doesn’t metabolize them well. They might raise your blood pressure, spike glucose levels, or trigger weight gain.

2. Psychological: You start obsessing. One bite turns into a binge.

This mirrors the mechanism of addiction, which is why so many post-op patients experience relapse into old habits—especially with ultra-processed carbs or sugar.

Just like in recovery from substance use, abstinence and firm boundaries often work better than moderation.

Reframe to Reclaim: Build Your Post-Bariatric Food Plan

To harness this mindset:

• List Your Trigger Foods: Think of the ones that cause you to spiral.

• Tell Yourself You’re Allergic: Create that unbreakable mental boundary.

• Stock Your Safe Foods: Fill your environment with nourishing, non-triggering options.

• Use Support Systems: Join coaching, food journaling programs, or group support.

At The Rewrite Lifestyle Center, we specialize in helping post-op patients heal their relationship with food. We offer nutrition plans, mindset coaching, and tools like food journaling to help you stay on track long after surgery.

Need more insights from a trusted medical source? The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery shares valuable info on safe practices after weight loss surgery.

Featured By: Elias Ortiz & Company and Kayla Lavende
Video: Food Addiction & Why Obesity Is A Disease | Bariatrics & Beyond Ep.28

This clip originally aired during a powerful conversation with Elias Ortiz and Company (EOC) and bariatric advocate Kayla Lavende, who are both champions of long-term success in the bariatric community.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’re years out from surgery, their platforms are filled with real talk, transformation stories, and next-level tips for taking your health seriously.

Are You Struggling with Food Addiction? Take the First Step Today!
If cravings, binge eating, or emotional eating are holding you back, you’re not alone. Food addiction can impact long-term weight loss, especially after bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve, bypass surgery).

At The Rewrite Lifestyle Center, we help you break free from stress eating and build a sustainable, healthy relationship with food.

✅ Discover if you're facing food addiction and get expert guidance on bariatric nutrition, meal plans, and support from Shenelle Coplien and the Bariatric Rewrite team. Your journey to lasting weight loss starts here!
👉 Take the Food Addiction Quiz Now!

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