Do you need to lose weight, but are not ready to go on any special weight loss program? If you simply eat less of what you normally eat, you will lose weight without a diet.
You are probably thinking “it’s easier said than done”. Eating less sounds simple, but it’s pretty hard to pull off. You probably tried to eat less but ended up feeling very hungry and gave up. Hunger is a very powerful instinct – when our body is hungry, making it full becomes more important than being skinny.
If you want to eat less, you need to do it in a smart way. Follow my tips on how to eat less without being hungry, and you will be amazed on how eating less can be so easy.
How To Eat Less Tip #1: Only drink zero-calorie drinks
I know we are talking about eating less, not drinking less, but drinks can make or break your weight loss plan. A large coke has 300 calories, which is as much as a small cheeseburger!
If you are watching your weight, you should only drink zero-calorie drinks. Best drinks for weight loss are water or unsweetened tea. Artificial sweeteners can cause more food cravings, so they are best to be avoided. However, artificially sweetened drinks are still better than the sugar-loaded drinks. Say a big “No” to all drinks with added sugar.
Drinks don’t make you full at all – only food does. Drinking water instead of coke will not make you hungry. Not drinking your calories is the easiest way to eat less without being hungry.
How To Eat Less Tip #2: Cut down on starchy side dishes
Starchy side dishes such as white potatoes, rice or noodles add a lot of calories without making you full. Do an experiment – for dinner serve yourself the usual portion of meat or fish and only half of the potatoes. You will be just as full as you would have been with the full serving of potatoes.
Begin by eating only half of the usual portion of starchy side dishes (with the normal portion of the meat or fish). I guarantee that you will not feel hungry! The side dishes are the easiest to cut without feeling hungry.
If you want to go even further, eliminate the starchy side dishes altogether and replace them with green vegetables. You will be just as full, but will eat much fewer calories.
How To Eat Less Tip #3: Drink a glass of water before meals
Drinking a glass of water before you start eating will trick your body into eating less. Empty stomach is a hungry stomach! If you drink a glass of water before your meal, your stomach will not be empty when you start eating, so you won’t need as much food as usual to feel full. Try the water trick – even if it makes you eat 100 fewer calories than usual, it really adds up!
How To Eat Less Tip #4: Use smaller plates
Many times we eat not because we are hungry, but because the food is right in front of us on our plate. If you are serving food on large plates, you fill those plates with food and eat it all up. After all, putting just half of the usual portion of a large plate would make the plate half empty – and that looks just wrong, sad and unappealing. The solution is simple – use smaller plates.
A smaller plate loaded with food looks very appealing. Reduce your regular food portion and put it on a smaller plate. Chances are you won’t even miss the missing food and will eat less without being hungry.
How To Eat Less Tip #5: Eat only at the kitchen table
Make it a rule in your house to only eat and the kitchen or dining table. Do not eat in front of the TV or next to your computer! If you have TV in the kitchen, do not turn it on while you eat!
People who eat in front of TV end up eating dramatically more than those who eat at the table without being distracted. When you are occupied by watching TV, you just mindlessly shove food in your mouth long after you are already full. By eating in the kitchen without distractions, you will eat less than you would while watching TV.
How To Eat Less Tip #6: Don’t stock your kitchen with junk food
If you keep reaching into your pantry or freezer for junk food, the solution is simple – just stop buying it! Why create unnecessary temptations for yourself by having junk food in the house? Out of sight, out of mind!
Junk snacks and desserts do not fill you up – in fact, they make you even more hungry. It’s impossible to eat just a few chips – the craving will be very strong to be reaching for more and more until the whole package is finished! Do not bring junk food into your house, and you’ll eat less without being hungry.