Lonliness is the key to mindless eating, but you should avoid mindless eating. How can it be done? Here are a few tips to avoid mindless eating.

Keep healthy things around you

The best way to avoid mindless eating is to keep healthy foods around you - both at home as well as at office. Stock your fridge and kitchen with fruits, vegetables, soups etc. This will help you to see healthy foods around and you will not be tempted to eat chocolate or cookies every time you open your refrigerator.

Do not eat in front of TV

If you don’t want to gain unnecessary extra calories, you must avoid eating food in front of things that distract you. The most common example is a television set. Make it a habit of not eating your dinner, lunch or any kind of food outside the dinner table – especially in front of TV set, computer or while talking on phone. This is because all these things prevent you from keeping a track of what you are eating and you may end up eating mindlessly. Those who have the habit of munching something after meals must always avoid eating in front of the television.

Stop eating before you are full

It is a wise decision to stop eating before you are full. This avoids overeating especially when you have your favorite food on dinner table.

Eat small meals

To avoid mindless eating, try to eat smaller meals as many as five to six times throughout the day instead of eating everything that comes to your sight.

Eat in small plates instead of big ones

Always have foods in small plates instead of eating them in big or large ones. Author Brian Wansink in his book ‘Mindless Eating’ has described about human’s eating tendency that our minds always judge food by its context and not by the measurements. When we eat food in big plates, we think that we are getting smaller quantity and tend to eat more without realizing how big the plate is.

Keep your food count

You must keep a count of number of packs, boxes or containers while eating to avoid mindless eating. Always keep a track of what you eat or drink.

Leave foods at restaurants after you are full

It is not necessary to finish all food at once even at restaurants. If you are full, never try to finish eating the food. Pack what ever is left, bring it home and have it as the next meal. This will prevent you from overeating.

Don’t eat from the box or carton directly

Never eat the food from the packet, box or carton directly as you will never know how much have you eaten. Always pour the ingredients in a bowl and monitor how much calories did you take in. This is especially important when you eat chips or cookies.

Enjoy the food

You can only enjoy the food when you chew it slowly and concentrate on it while you are eating. Do not talk or read a book while eating as this may cause distraction and you may end up eating mindlessly.

Brush your teeth

You must be brushing your teeth before bedtime, but it is a great idea to brush your teeth after having every meal to stop you from being tempted from eating food mindlessly whenever you see it.

Always remember these tips to avoiod mindless eating.

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