A lot of people eat more than they should. The problem is, eating too much can lead to unwanted or unhealthy weight gain and bad eating habits. It’s unsurprising that many people would like to eat less while maintaining good health. Fortunately, you don’t need to go see a dietician for that in most cases. Tricks to eating less are just fingertips away on the internet. Here are some of the best we’ve heard:
Drink More Water
Most people don’t drink enough water, and dehydration produces a feeling of hunger. If you’re feeling hungry, drink some water. It’ll help fill you without adding calories, and if you’re still hungry half an hour later, you may need something to eat.
Drink Less Alcohol
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect; the more you drink, the more pronounced it is. Dehydration can feel like hunger (see previous entry).
Eat Smaller Servings
Too often, we put more food on our plates than we really need, and then there’s a compulsion to finish it all. In reality, smaller servings can meet most people’s needs. Plus, you can always eat a little more if you're still hungry afterward. Tip: smaller plates make it easy to eat smaller servings.
Slow Down
Slowing down and eating smaller bites (you can use smaller utensils for this) will give your body a better chance to tell you it’s had enough before you overeat. Also, you’ll enjoy your meals more.
Don’t Eat Until You’re Full
It’s not true that you haven’t eaten enough until you feel ready to burst. Instead, eat what seems like a reasonable portion and then let the digestion process catch up. You may still feel hungry when you stop eating, but you might feel full in a half hour or so.
Don’t Eat After Waking Up or Before Going to Bed
We often wake up hungry, but if we wait a couple of hours to eat while going about our morning routines, that hunger will often abate. Then you might eat a smaller breakfast that still provides good nutrition.
Eat Fewer Meals a Day
Most of us were raised on the idea of three square meals a day, but that’s not a law. Many people eat two or just one large meal per day, and they drink water and eat healthy snacks the rest of the time.
Don’t Keep Junk Food Around
A bag of chips, a carton of ice cream, etc., is a temptation you don’t need. If you have a craving for something like that, maybe go out and treat yourself. But don’t keep them around in the house.
Brush Teeth After Meals
If you brush your teeth right after a meal, you may not want to eat again soon after getting your teeth clean. Also, not much tastes good when the taste of toothpaste is fresh in your mouth.
Avoid Carbs
Carbs digest faster, making you hungry again sooner. Proteins and fibers digest more slowly, so you’ll feel full longer when you eat more of them.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
If you have to snack, choose more fruits and vegetables. They’re still filling but contain far fewer calories than things like junk food do.
Weigh Yourself Each Day
Keeping track of your weight each day is also popular among ways to eat less. If you notice you’ve gained even a little bit, it might incentivize eating a little less that day.
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