7 Ways To Stop Mindless Eating

Mindlessly eating is when we eat without thinking about what we are doing and when we are not hungry!

Here are some helpful pointers to hopefully prevent mindless eating -

1. Fill your plate with less food! We are raised to finish all the food on our plates, otherwise we are considered rude. Instead of making a massive portion on your plate, start with less on your plate to begin with.

2. Try making half of your plate veggies. I find that eating veggies and salad with each meal really helps me to feel full. 

3. Forgotten: There was a great study where 1 group of people ate chicken wings and their bones were kept in front of them. In the other group, the plates were cleared every 15 minutes or so. Who do you think ate less? The group who saw all of their bones. Bonus: You can do the same with wine. Always serve new glasses of wine and be sure to leave the old glasses out and the bottles too! *This can apply to any food that leaves evidence.

4. Just cut it: Mindless eating is when you eat and are no longer hungry. The “I’m full but I can eat more.” Be satisfied and just say, “Done!”.

5. Servings: We generally eat 92% of what we serve ourselves. Trick: Use smaller plates, dishes and glasses.

6. It takes 20 minutes to digest and realize the effects of the food you ate. Hence, you keep eating when you are no longer even hungry. Solution: Make it harder to eat. Use chop sticks, eat with your other hand (and laugh a lot!). Bonus: Try pacing yourself with the slowest eater at the table. Put your fork down after every bite. And try starting last and finishing last.

7. Distractions: If you eat while you work or read or watch TV, or do anything in addition to eating, you’re going to eat more.