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Researchers studying obese patients fitted with gastric bands say they have found a key technique that could help dieters.

Researchers found that patients who had undergone surgery learnt to have a 'heavenly mouthful' - a very small portion of something they used to love eating.

Researchers say the technique could help those trying to lose weight. 

Researchers found that patients who had undergone surgery learnt to have a 'heavenly mouthful' - a very small portion of something they used to love eating.

'My research shows that it if we want to improve our chances of attaining permanent weight loss and simultaneously maintaining quality of life, it may be necessary to establish a link to our previous unhealthy lifestyles', said Line Hillersdal at the University of Copenhagen.

She interviewed 32 patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery – more specifically the type of gastric bypass where the size of the stomach is reduced. 

After surgery, the patients can no longer hold large quantities of food, but need to eat smaller amounts at regular intervals.

The patients also need to eat in a different way as foods rich in fat, sugar and fibre may cause discomfort in the smaller stomach.

'For many obesity patients, the post-surgery diet is contrary to everything they used to like about eating – the very experience of eating as well as the social aspect of it changes – and for some it feels like an encroachment,' she said. 

'But some find little loopholes that enable them to change diet and still manage to find pleasure in eating.- Several of the patients used the term 'a heavenly mouthful' to describe the experience of having a condensed version of something they used to love eating and that does not fit into their new healthy lifestyle – such as for example buttered toast. 

After surgery, the patients can no longer hold large quantities of food, but need to eat smaller amounts at regular intervals.

'This allows them to have the desired taste experience without eating too much unhealthy food.' 

Hillersdal argues that their experiences with gastric bypass surgery can teach us important lessons about changing diet and eating habits.

The chances of achieving permanent weight loss increase if the person who wants to lose weight can maintain a link to what he or she feels is a pleasurable eating experience, she believes - and says this link can be established through 'heavenly mouthfuls'.