Five Easy Ways to Eat Less
At meals, do you find that often eat until you are stuffed? Is your waistband expanding as a result? There are five surefire ways to help you eat less during meals.
- We all know that sitting down to dinner and watching the latest episode of our favorite TV show has become an American tradition, but think twice before you do this again. While we become absorbed in the goings-on of our favorite TV characters, we tend to eat more. Research has shown that the television distracts people’s thoughts from their eating, and this can cause us to ignore or miss the signals our bodies send to our brains when we have had enough to eat. So instead of stopping when we’re full, we continue to blindly eat whatever food is in front of us. Cut out TV viewing during meals and you will see a difference in the amount of food you consume.
- Drink plenty of water. Yes, we hear from everyone how healthy drinking lots of water is good for us. But did you know that it is also an appetite suppressant? Water fills us up, pure and simple. Drinking at least two glasses of water before a meal is an even better option because then you go into the meal less hungry. Of course, water should never be a food substitute but if you keep well-hydrated then you will notice that you eat less during meals. As an added benefit, staying hydrated also keeps your metabolism going at a faster rate than when you are dehydrated.
You'll be surprised at how much less you eat if you follow these tips.
- Try brushing your teeth immediately after every meal. You would be surprised at how effective this trick is. We have a natural hesitancy to eat right after a meal when our mouths feel fresh and clean. Even better, try flossing your teeth as well. You’ll feel even less inclined to lose the minty-fresh taste of your toothpaste.
- This may sound unusual but hang a mirror opposite of the place where you usually eat. Studies have shown that, on average, people eat one-third less than normal when they can see themselves while they eat. Perhaps it is because you must look yourself in the eye while eating and be honest about the amount you are consuming. Or maybe people are just reminded of the goals they have set for themselves and consciously eat less. Either way, it helps so hang up that mirror!
- Eat the majority of your meals at home, or at least that you prepared at home. This may be more work, but the food that you prepare for yourself is often times much healthier than the frequently large, high-fat meals that restaurants offer. Also, when you make your own food, you become more conscious of the ingredients that go into the meal. Using a couple of tablespoons of butter and melting three slices of cheddar cheese on your food will be harder to ignore when you are participating in the process. As an added bonus, cooking your own food will most likely be cheaper than dining out for your meals.
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