Learn How to Lessen Your Appetite
Posted: October 8, 2015
There are all different kinds of hunger. There is bored hunger, habit hunger, want hunger, and real hunger. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which one you are experiencing. With all the food we are all constantly surrounded by, it is easy to want to eat something instead of needing to eat something.
It can be a challenge to make smart choices when you can get a burger on a whim. But knowing what to eat when it’s mealtime makes or breaks a healthy lifestyle.
As children we paid more attention to real hunger rather than want hunger. Hormones were the reason we knew when we needed food and when to stop eating when we were full. Ghrelin is the hormone that regulates our appetite, and leptin is the one that lets us know we have had enough. However, as adults, it’s easier to ignore what are hormones are telling us and to eat based on emotional reasons rather than biological needs.
This is how we fall victim to eating based on cravings, boredom, stress, and social situations. When we begin to eat for reasons other than hunger, we begin to gain weight. In order to combat this bad habit, you need to get back in tune with your body.
When you listen to what your body needs, and not what your brain is telling you, you can begin to eat in a healthy way again. Building this “symbiotic mind-body relationship” is key to losing weight and being healthy.
An example of this is eating between meals. Before snacking, make sure you are actually hungry, instead of looking for a distraction from work. Before grabbing for that granola bar, drink a big glass of water and wait 15 minutes. If you’re stomach is still growling, then you know it’s a real feeling of hunger you are experiencing.
During meals, really take the time to enjoy the flavors, aromas, and textures of the food. If you eat slower, you will get full quicker and eat less. It takes 20 minutes for our bodies to feel full, so if you scarf a bunch of food before that 20-minute mark, once that time elapses, you are going to feel stuffed.
Another way to monitor your eating habits is through your sleeping habits. If you are sleep deprived, ghrelin production is increased, which will cause you to eat more, while leptin is slowed down, causing you to feel less satisfied with the food you are eating. In short, the more sleep you get, the better your eating habits are going to become.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.