Going Back for Seconds: How to Control Overeating

People can avoid eating too much. Going back for seconds can be done without experiencing problems.

When people are facing birthdays or holiday celebrations with massive amounts of food available, there is always the temptation to overindulge. This can result in a person’s having an upset stomach and feeling sick. It is okay to have more than one serving, but people should listen to what their stomach is telling them. This will involve a little patience as food digests. Men and women should wait approximately 15 to 20 minutes before going back for seconds. When this is done, people will know if they truly want more, so waiting before going back for seconds is a good idea. People benefit by making healthier food choices and maintaining a diet that is balanced as well as satisfying.

Ghrelin and Leptin

Leptin is a hormone found in a person’s small intestines. It is designed to regulate a body’s energy needs. It lets the brain know when the body has had a sufficient amount of calories. Ghrelin is a hormone that works opposite of leptin: It tells the body when it needs more calories. Ghrelin and leptin work together, and they need approximately 15 to 20 minutes before completing their process.

Negative Effects

Eating too much food at once can result in bad side effects. A person’s stomach may be stretched to its maximum capacity, which is very painful. It can result in indigestion and heartburn. This occurs because excessive food causes an individual’s stomach acids to press against the esophageal sphincter.

Don’t Skip Meals

It is common for individuals to skip meals during the day if they plan to attend an event with large amounts of food. The belief is that doing this will control their intake of calories. However, it usually results in eating an excessive amount of food, which leads to negative side effects. Thus, it’s important to eat meals during the day.

Going Back for Seconds

A person needs to be mindful when eating. This allows people to know when their body is telling them they’ve had enough. They need to also be aware of what their stomach is telling them during the meal. Eating as much as possible as fast as possible should be avoided. Going back for seconds must be done for the right reasons.

Alcohol

With an event involving lots of food, alcohol will likely be offered. It is tempting to have a few glasses of wine or beer before eating. Should a person consume too much alcohol, things might be worse for him or her later. When people have had too much alcohol, they are likely to overeat. If this is done after having too much alcohol, it could leave a person feeling pretty awful.

Eating Out

When at a restaurant, it is important to try to save half of the meal. After being served, look at the meal and think about it being cut down to reasonable portions. Half or less of the meal should be eaten, and the rest should be taken home. This is an excellent way to control meal portions. As a bonus, a person will then have an already prepared lunch or dinner for the following day.

Water

It may be a good idea to drink a glass of water before eating a meal. This is a good way to help anyone concerned with overeating. Having a glass of water approximately 15 minutes before a meal will help the stomach feel less empty, which will lead to a person’s eating less. Going back for seconds can then be done without feeling bad about it.

Trigger Foods

Everyone has trigger foods. These are foods that we eat too much of once we start. If someone knows he or she lacks control with seafood, it is best to avoid this trigger food. Keeping away from trigger foods will result in a lower likelihood of overeating.

Old Habits

Most people struggle with at least one bad eating habit. They may have a habit of eating too much because they believe they’ll eat less the next day, and it doesn’t happen. Some may believe they can’t help but to overeat. To control the bad habits, people should identify theirs and replace them with new ones. Instead of feeling bad about eating too much, they can start being happy about eating just the right amount for their body.

It is possible to enjoy eating meals and not overeat. A person can start by eating slowly and enjoying each bite, which will lead to eating less and taking in fewer calories. As a result, the person will find more satisfaction and enjoyment in food. Taking smaller portions at the beginning of a meal will result in having no issues with going back for seconds.