10 Ways to Curb Overeating And Lose Weight

One day I was sitting in the Doctor's office and I saw this paper on the wall that said "New study shows that cutting down on calories is the most effective way to lose weight." I had to ponder that for a minute, because it seemed like old news to me. "what do you mean NEW study?" I thought.

Then I went on to read the article. It basically said that diets that are low in carbs or low in fat are not as effective as simply reducing the amount of overall daily calories you consume.

Now this is not always easy to do. So I went in search of advice on how to cut down on the amount of food I eat and this is what I found:

#1 Slow Down When You Eat.

In a world where people are always in a hurry it's easy to grab a big greasy burger and scarf it down with a shake in under five minutes without even thinking about it. But rushing through eating is bad for digestion, and allows you to eat more that you need to get full.

Giving yourself more time to eat, chewing your food thoroughly and thinking about the meal rather than your daily stresses will give your body a chance to feel full before you are overstuffed, and will ensure that you are digesting your meals properly so that you get the full nutritional benefit of everything you eat.

#2 Plan Your Meals.

Not knowing what you plan to eat during the day makes it more likely for you to just stop and grab some fast food. Planning your daily menu, and packing a lunch for work, school or travel will help you make wiser decisions about what you eat.

#3 Put A Variety On Your Plate.

A plate full of spaghetti with some garlic bread is not a complete meal. Cut the amount of spaghetti in half, and add some salad or green beans. Skip the second piece of garlic bread and have half a pear. Adding fruits and vegetables to your meal will fill you up without providing and abundance of calories.

#5 Eat Several Times A Day.

Eating three sensible meals and two healthy snacks a day will help you stay full while avoiding the temptation to overeat. Many times when a person is eating too much it is because the haven't eaten in awhile and they are ravenously hungry.

#6 Drink Water

This is something we hear all the time. It really is a healthy habit to get into. Also, having a glass of water about a half hour before you eat will make you feel more full as you begin your meal and aid with proper digestion. Drinking water WITH your meal instead of soda will help you cut back on calories from sugar.

#7 Use Smaller Dishes.

Eating a full plate of food will make you feel as though you have had enough to eat even if your plate is small. Likewise, a larger plate will tempt you to fill it with more food.

#8 Fiber Is Your Friend.

High fiber foods like apples, bran, most vegetables, and black beans will help you feel full longer and keep your digestive track free of blockage. A high fiber cereal or toast and a small apple is a great way to start your day feeling full.

#9 Get It To Go.

When eating at a restaurant it is nearly impossible to order food in healthy portions. The best way to solve this problem is to ask for a to-go box and put excess amounts in it before you begin eating. This way you will also have left overs for later!

#10 Have A Mint.

Eating a mint or chewing a piece of gum after every meal ( a small hard fruity candy or gum will work if you don't like mint) will soon train you to know that you are done eating as soon as that taste is in your mouth. Try eating that mint instead of going back for seconds.

Following these ten simple tips will make it easier to curb overeating which will eventually lead to weight loss.