Back to articles
How To Eat Your Food!
Tips on eating better!
Why should I take my time over meals?
It takes on average 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain
that it is full and doesn't need any more food. If you are gulping down
food too quickly, your 'I'm full' sensors may be kicking in too late to
stop you from unnecessary overeating - something you definitely don't
want to do when you are slimming.
You're then left with that horrible 'over-full' feeling and pangs of
guilt that can overshadow any enjoyment you got from the meal. If you
train yourself to take your time over meals, you'll learn to know when
you're full.
Does not chewing properly make any difference?
Not chewing thoroughly could lead to indigestion, but though your
system might have to work a little harder, ultimately, you won't be
missing out nutritionally. Unfortunately, chewing doesn't use up more
calories, or magically make any calories disappear from what you are
eating!
How to avoid over-eating
- Start treating mealtimes as an event - that means no more
gulping down dinners in front of the TV! Lay the table properly, make
conversation with whoever you are eating with, chew properly, and lay
your cutlery down in between bites. A meal isn't just about the food on
your plate - it's about creating an ambiance and interacting with other
people.
- Give yourself a small portion to start with rather
than a massive helping. Serve food on smaller plates so that you trick
yourself into believing there is plenty on there. You'll soon find you
need smaller portions than you think.
- Ideally each meal
should be in the proportion of ½ vegetables to ¼ protein to ¼
carbohydrates. Fill up on vegetables if you are still hungry at the end
of a meal.
- Eat more slowly so that you savour the flavour of
what you have made, and your stomach has plenty of time to tell your
stomach when it's had enough. Stop eating when you feel satisfied
rather than full.
Eating on the move
If you really don't have time to linger over meals, and often have
to gulp down food on the move, just make sure you are careful about
portion sizes. If after finishing your meal you still feel hungry, wait
at least 20 minutes before eating again. You may just find you're full!
TAGM6
Disclaimer
You are advised to seek medical advice before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle with an aim of weight loss. This website and the content provided should not be used by persons under 18, by pregnant or nursing women, or individuals with any type of health condition, except under the direct supervision of a qualified medical professional. The information contained in these articles, and elsewhere on this website, is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to replace, and does not constitute legal, professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis and may not be used for such purposes. Continue...
You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or wellness condition in determining whether to use or adapt the information or content provided. We make no representations or warranties concerning any treatment, action, application or usage of dietary supplements, medication, preparation or other product or service by any person following the information offered or provided within or through the website. Reliance on any information appearing on a site is strictly at your own risk. Neither we, our affiliates nor any of the officers, directors, owners, employees, agents, representatives and assigns of each will be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other losses or damages that may result including, but not limited to, economic loss, injury, illness or death.