Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)

Picture this…

You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine.

But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen.

Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid it.

Studies using brain imaging technology reveal that it takes approximately 20 minutes from when food enters your stomach for signals to reach your brain to let you know you’re full.

The good news is that you can do some simple things to avoid accidentally overeating in the future. I’ll share those tricks in just a moment. But first, let’s take a quick look at what’s behind the lag.

Your stomach walls are lined with “stretch receptors.” As your stomach fills, these receptors are triggered to start producing hormones that can tell your brain that you feel full.

These so-called satiety hormones, including cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), help us avoid overeating.

However, the hormones take a while to build up to adequate levels. And then they still have to travel through your bloodstream to your brain to inform you that you’ve eaten enough.

You can avoid that overfull feeling with a few simple steps.

First, choose the right kinds of foods. Foods higher in protein, fiber, and water content take longer to digest, speeding up satiety signals and heading off overeating. These include nuts, whole grains, fish, avocados, beans, and Greek yogurt.

On the other hand, highly processed and high-fat foods digest quickly and don’t prolong feelings of fullness as well.

Second, HOW you eat plays a role. Eating too quickly doesn’t allow enough time for satiety signals to kick in before you overeat.

You can avoid scarfing down food too quickly by practicing mindful eating. This technique involves paying close attention to the experience of eating by taking the time to TRULY notice and appreciate your food.

Mindful eating forces you to slow down and pay attention. Take note of each food’s color, texture, and smell as you eat. Hear the satisfying crunch of an apple, feel the fuzziness of a peach on your lips, and revel in the palate-pleasing creaminess of mashed potatoes.

Taking the time to notice the details of your food makes eating a more sensory, enriching experience. But when you focus on other things, such as the TV or your smartphone, those sensory details get lost and overeating occurs.

Mindlessly eating makes it easy to keep shoving food into your mouth without noticing you’re getting full. Instead, thoroughly chew each bite and tune into any feelings of satisfaction or fullness that you have.

You’ll find when you do, it’s far easier to stop eating long before you’re in danger of feeling stuffed.

P.S. Feeling like a stuffed turkey after eating? These seven spices can BANISH gas and bloating naturally.

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]

Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...

Read This

The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory

You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...

Read This

Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry

Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...

Read This

Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next

You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...

Read This

Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead

I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...

Read This

This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months

You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...

Read This

Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works

“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...

Read This

Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets

You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...

Read This

"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...

Read This

This "Healthy" Sweetener is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. But what if the “diet” products you’re using to cut calories make you hungrier, so you eat more? Well, a shocking new study suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is secretly sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s dig into...

Read This