7 Helpful Tips to Stop Overeating

If you struggle with portion control or overeating, it’s time to rethink old habits and your relationship with food. The good news? It’s easier than you think.

Check out these 7 helpful tips to stop overeating: 

Uncover the culprit

What we interpret as hunger might actually be thirst. If you’re craving something salty, try drinking a glass of water. Then see if your hunger goes away before reaching for that bag of chips.

Measure it out

Portion control is key to stopping yourself from overeating. Instead of eyeballing everything, purchase some portion control products to keep portions under control. Or, use a smaller plate—the smaller the plate, the smaller the portion.

Slow down

Eating slower is one of the easiest and most effective ways to avoid overeating. You give your body the time it needs to send the message to your brain that you’re full and you can actually enjoy what you’re eating. When you eat too fast, you’ve already consumed too much by the time your brain receives the message that you’re full. Also trying chewing your food 20-30 times, this not only allows you to slow down your eating, it also helps your body break down the nutrients and properly digest your food.

Don’t get distracted

Banish all distractions when eating.  Instead, focus on the plate in front of you and not on TV or email. When you’re distracted, we tend to be unable to register if we are actually full or not in our brains. Give your meal your full attention and you’ll notice when you’ve had enough.

Select foods that satisfy

Stay away from any foods that give you lots of calories for very little volume like cheese and chocolate. The higher the protein, fiber and water content of a food or meal, the more likely it is to be satisfying in your stomach. Meats and veggies will be the most filling! No more going overboard on those unnecessary calories.

Plan ahead

Curb your appetite by planning ahead and getting in the habit of eating healthy. On Sunday night, chop up some fruits and veggies and put them in Tupperware or bags of small portions in the fridge. Next time you’re hungry, grab one of those healthy snacks. You can also keep these ‘grab and go’ snacks for during the work day to help you avoid hitting up the vending machine.

Drink lots of water

Drink lots of water before a meal to help you feel full faster. You’ll be less likely to overeat if you drink water regularly—plus drinking water is great for your overall health!

Keep these tips in mind next time you’re reaching for a snack or find yourself overeating, and you’ll be healthier and happier in no time!

The next time you head to the grocery store, use these healthy grocery shopping tips to fill up your cart.