10 Signs You Are Overeating And How To Slow Down

If all you think about is food, trust me, you're not alone. However, you should check out these signs you are overeating before it becomes an issue!

More often you don’t realise you’re overeating until it starts showing on the outside or until someone is kind enough to point out that you’ve slightly gained some weight. Especially during the summer holidays, when you tend to do a lot more outings, consume alcohol and eat snacks on the sofa during the most boring afternoons at home. This is the time you easily get distracted and don’t notice the signs that your body tries to give you about overeating. It’s fine to have a couple of days, once in a while, when you definitely eat that extra plate of food, however, it would be better to look out for the little signs of overeating that your body sends you and stop before it’s too late. Here are 10 signs you are overeating and how to slow down when doing so.

1. You often eat with distractions

After a tiring day at work or at school it is easy to come back home and have a quick TV dinner, which means you get your food with you and sit on the sofa as you watch your favourite show on TV. However, this is a bad habit and you should try and avoid making it part of your regular routine. Other distractions can be eating whiles browsing on social media. You will think it is just as normal to scroll up and down your Instagram feed to check what’s new, but nutrition experts have said that this approach to food can lead people to disconnect from their hunger and fullness cues, consequently leading to overeat. So, without even realising, you are eating more than you actually need. To stop doing so, try and have your meals seated at a table and enjoy your food without any smartphone or TV distracting you. Once you are done, you can then go back to that series you didn’t want to miss.

2. You feel satisfied but keep eating

Sometimes you feel 100% satisfied But, for some reason, you keep adding in more food and end up over eating. To avoid such situations, experts suggest that the best time to put your fork down is when you feel approximately 80 percent full. This is definitely one of the signs you are overeating!

3 .You go back for seconds and maybe thirds

When having a meal, chances are, your first full plate of food is enough to serve the standard that your body needs. Now, if you are at a party, your favourite restaurant or a family dinner, and the food is so good you can’t help but go in for a second, go for it but this time try filling your plate with smaller portions or maybe veggies, which are never too much to be doubled up.

4. You are the last person to leave the table

At family gatherings there is always that one person who will keep eating whiles everyone is done. If you’re always the last person to put your fork down, this is one of the signs that you are overeating.

5. You feel the need of a break

Another sign that you are over eating is when, in the middle of your dinner or launch, you feel the physical need to take a break. When you have this feeling, then it is time to put the fork down

6. You are not appreciating the flavours

When having food becomes a habit more than a pleasure, this can also be a sign that you are overeating. To avoid putting food in your mouth for the sake of eating, ending up over doing it, try and focus on your favourite food and the ones full of nutrients. If you can’t remember what your food tasted like then this is definitely one of the signs you are overeating!

7. You eat out of boredom

When at home and with not much to do, you become bored and tend to fill the time by munching snacks or eating leftovers because there is nothing more exciting or interesting to do. The only way to avoid overeating in these cases, is to stop and think “I am truly hungry though?” This is absolutely one of the tell-tale signs you are overeating!

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8. You comfort yourself with food

Sometimes food seems to be the only one who understands us. It is easy to end up overeating when trying to cope with stress, sadness and emotions. It is a source of comfort that helps forget about the hardships.

9. Eating very fast

If you realise that you are always eating faster than everyone around you, then this is most likely one of the signs you are overeating. Try avoiding choking all your food in 2 minutes and take time to enjoy your meals.

10. You can’t say no

No matter how full you are, you always take that extra piece of chocolate or bread? That is also overeating and you need to stop by learning how to say “no thanks. I’m full”.