7 Tricks to Avoid Overeating

Is the constant feeling of hunger preventing you from achieving a healthy body weight? It is one of the greatest obstacles for most people who struggle to lose those excess pounds as it often leads to overeating rather than reduction of caloric intake which is the key to successful weight loss. This is usually a result of too drastic dieting, which does not give the body enough time to get used to obtaining less energy (calories are your body's fuel) and as a result, your body signals you to “give me energy“ in the form of becoming hungry. But how are you supposed to prevent overeating if you are feeling hungry all the time? Here are the 7 steps which will enable you to cut your caloric intake and reduce the risk of overeating at the same time. 1. Do not starve yourself during the day. It is crucial to reduce your caloric intake if you want to force your body to start burning the stored energy - fat. However, by not eating "enough" during the day you are more likely to overeat when you finally decide to eat a "real" meal. The thing is that it is more difficult to control yourself when you are struggling with the feeling of hunger all day long. 2. Eat your breakfast. Have you ever heard of the saying, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper"? Breakfast is the most important meal as it provides you with the energy for the day and keeps your blood sugar levels stable which in turn reduces that feeling of hunger which is putting you at increased risk of overeating. Furthermore, research suggests that people who eat their breakfast are less likely to have weight problems than those who skip it. 3. Avoid processed foods and snacks that are high in sugar content. Ironically, you will consume fewer calories if you snack throughout the day, instead of eating very large meals. However, it is crucial to stay away from processed foods and those high in sugar content such as candy bars, flavored chips, and chocolate covered pretzels. They are high in calories and low in nutritional value, not to mention that foods high in sugar content can also make you feel hungry shortly after having a meal. 4. Eat your meals slowly. Studies suggest that your brain needs about 20 minutes to receive the signal of fullness. By eating slowly, you can trick your body into feeling full, despite eating less, as the brain will automatically shut down your desire to eat after 20 minutes. 5. Drink a glass of water before each meal. By doing so, you will take away some space for food in your stomach and as a result, you will need to eat less to feel full. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day because it will help you fight the feeling of hunger and keep you well hydrated. Under no circumstances should you replace water with juices or soft drinks because they are high in calories and sugar. 6. Eat a salad, fruit or vegetables before a meal. They are low in calories and high in essential nutrients, and will help you decrease the amount of food you will eat during that meal and subsequently enable you to reduce your daily caloric intake. Just be sure to have very little or no dressing on the salad, because most salad dressings have a lot of calories. 7. Get enough sleep. You will not only feel better and have more energy during the day, but you will also control your food intake a lot easier because most people tend to eat more if not getting enough sleep.