How to Eat Slow When You Are Starving

When you're feeling hungry, you may want to eat as quickly as possible. Eating quickly feels satisfying, and it may feel like you're getting full faster. But your stomach takes a full 20 minutes before it realizes it is full. If you've gobbled down your food in a few minutes, you'll probably still feel hungry. If you relax and enjoy your food slowly, you may find that you're full and satisfied after your meal. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet if you have allergies or health concerns.

Things You'll Need

• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Salad

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat a meal before you're at your breaking point. If you're hungry before you start making dinner, you'll be starving by the time you sit down at the table. Eat a small snack, like carrot sticks or celery sticks, to tide you over until the meal. This way, you won't be starving when you finally eat your meal.

• 2

  Drink a glass of water before eating. Water will fill up your stomach, making you feel less hungry. Although you'll probably still be hungry for your meal, it may help you slow down and savor your food.

• 3

  Start with foods that have a high water content, like a large salad or raw veggies. Chew with your mouth closed, and enjoy the taste of each bite. Foods that are high in water will help you feel full and satisfied but are low in calories. As you fill up on salad, you'll be less likely to gobble the rest of your food.

• 4

  Pay close attention to the way you feel while you eat. As you chew and swallow closely, focus not on how starving you are but on how your stomach feels. You may have a slight stomach ache at first, then, as you eat more and more, you will satisfy this ache. As you eat even more, your stomach may begin to get sore again. Learn to stop eating as soon as you are full instead of overeating to the point of feeling sick.

• 5

  Enjoy the flavors of your food, not the amount you are consuming. If you're used to chowing down as quickly as possible, you may be missing out on the flavor combinations of the foods you're eating. Season your food with fresh herbs, and chew very slowly, allowing the flavors to fill your mouth as you eat.