Some of the factors that contribute to overeating are stress, not getting enough sleep, demanding people, and hormones. These factors sometimes make you eat a whole bucket of ice cream or order pizza late in the night.
This unhealthy eating leads to obesity and many illnesses. Obese people try to lose weight in many different ways, but most of them fail. Why is that so?
It is due to calories reduction. Some people even skip breakfast or say that do not eat too much and still cannot lose weight. However, these problems are all in people’s control. So, everyone can learn self-control and get healthy eating habits.
In order to make a change in your lifestyle, you would want to know what makes you overeat.
Reasons and Solutions for Overeating
Consuming One Kind of Food
Eating only salads that contain plenty nutrients but it is not enough. Greens do not have the necessary carbs or proteins that your body needs. Well, that is why you feel tired and craving for food very soon after you eat a bowl full of salad.
How to solve this problem? Add foods like eggs, chicken, shrimp, beans, quinoa corn, that are rich in protein and carbs.
Unhealthy Sugar
Eating candies and sweets which are an instant energy booster, and later on, make you even more hungry. Consume fruits and vegetables instead of Skittles.
Eating While Distracted
People who eat while working in front of the computer, TV, while driving or reading a book they get hungry very soon. Why?
When you are eating, your brain receives signs that you are full, but when you are distracted while eating, the brain does not get the same signs. To fix this, get rid of the distractions.
Not Enough Drinking Water
When you are not drinking enough water, your brain thinks you are hungry instead of thirsty. So, you reach for food. The solution is drinking water after and with every meal.
Stress
In some people, stress causes food cravings which lead to overeating. So, you need to find ways to reduce your stress, for instance, you may walk, exercise, meditate or talk with someone.
Excessive Exercising
Excessive exercise triggers your appetite. You need to drink fluids during workouts to prevent thirstiness make you think you are hungry. Also, reduce your workout time.
Not Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep affects the appetite hormones, well, you need to sleep 6-8 hours per night. Also, keep a consistent sleep schedule, and when you need to make changes in your sleeping, plan ahead. Make sure to plan your meals.
Emotional Overeating
Do you satisfy an emotional need through food? Yes, that is possible. You may miss your family when you reach for the foods you consume on family gatherings. To solve this, try to get in touch with people you love.
Insufficient Consumption of Protein and Fiber
Fiber and protein are essential for healthy weight loss, but if you do not get enough that may lead to overeating. Choose yogurt, chicken, eggs, seafood and other foods that are rich in protein and fiber.
Boredom and Sadness
Being bored, sad or upset causes food cravings. This emotional overeating is believed to start at young ages; it is calmed down with candy. As a solution, try deep breathing, walking, doing something fun or talking to a friend.
Avoiding Desired Foods
When people try to stay away from foods they really want to eat, they overeat other foods. You can fix this by getting, for example, a small cookie, one square of chocolate or a little bit of ice-cream (low-fat).
Irregular Eating
Skipping meals causes overeating too. You should not go without a meal for more than 4-5 hours. When you feel easily irritated, you should think of getting something to eat.
Fast Eating
Since your stomach needs time to send signs to your brain that you are eating, you need to eat slowly. Fast eating makes you eat much more. Try eating a meal for 20 minutes and finish when you feel medium-full.
We hope that this article would be helpful for everyone, especially for people who want to lose weight. They need to learn that avoiding food or skipping meals is not a healthy way of losing weight.
Sources: Eat This, Mind Body Green
