- Slow Down
Our bodies are complex, and can be hard to understand. For example, our brains need time to process that we have had enough to eat. When you eat quickly, you may consume far more calories than you need before your brain has a chance to signal that you are full.
Studies have shown that by chewing your food thoroughly and taking your time with your meals leads to decreased food intake and increased fullness. In other words, when you eat slowly, your tend to eat less — which can help you lose weight. By contrast, people who eat fast are much more likely to gain weight than slow eaters.
The upshot? If you want to lose weight, focus on chewing slowly, such as by counting the number of times that you chew each bite. You may be surprised at how you’ll feel full with far less food than you normally would.
2.Use Smaller Plates for Higher Calorie Foods
In recent years, our plate sizes have grown significantly. When we use big plates, it can make our portion sizes look much smaller than they actually are — which may lead to weight gain. By contrast, when we use smaller plates, our portions look bigger, which can fool our minds into thinking that we are eating more than we are.
Our brains play an important role in weight loss. If you’re looking to shed a few pounds (or more), think about how you plate your food. By choosing dishes that are much smaller than average, you may find that you are satisfied with a smaller amount of food.
Try Using Red Plates
This tip may sound strange, but research has shown that using red plates can lead to reduced calorie intake. While we don’t know exactly why this technique works, it seems to help people eat fewer unhealthy snacks — perhaps because we associate the color red with the word stop. If you have red plates at your house, consider plating high calorie foods on them, and see what happens.Share Your Meals with Others
When we eat with loved ones – friends or family — we tend to eat healthier. While big family meals may not be possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still eat with people in your circle as often as you can. Doing this can help you make better choices, and focus more on the company instead of your food.Drink Tea
Tea may be less popular than coffee in the United States, but you shouldn’t overlook this nutritional powerhouse. Some types of tea, including cinnamon and mint tea, can actually help you lose weight. Mint is an appetite suppressant, while cinnamon can decrease blood sugar levels. Peppermint tea may also help your body digest fats. Just steer clear of sugar when making your beverage of choice.