That Feeling of Fullness: Know the Difference Between Stuffed and Satisfied

Along with energy, food is also a source of vitamins, minerals and several other nutrients. We should get the most out of the food we eat.

It is so important to know when to stop while having your meal or even when indulging in your favorites. But most of us are not aware of our “feeling of fullness” and we either end up eating too little or too much. The feeling of fullness is when a person does not feel stuffed or they have overeaten and now they cannot move. It is actually the feeling of satiety when you are good to work with full energy.

• Stuffing yourself can often make you lethargic and sleepy. You would always want to crawl back to bed. Your efficiency in work would decrease and you will end up feeling sluggish.
• Eating good and healthy means a balanced diet which consists of whole grains, protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and of course healthy fats. But it is important to keep the portions in check in order to keep it really balanced. People often stuff themselves up in the name of ‘good food’, whereas overeating can increase the number of calories we eat. Going overboard with calories can make you put on some extra weight which is not something you would want.
• Being mindful is important while having meals. If you are distracted while eating, you will eat more food and can never control your portions. Being more present in the environment with your food will help your brain and stomach to connect, making it easier to digest food properly and initiating ‘the feeling of fullness’. Savor the food by its smell, look, flavor, and taste.
• Don’t restrict yourself from the foods you may call ‘unhealthy’ because restrictions would make the brain wander and break the boundaries. And you will eventually end up binging just for the sake of a cheat meal.
• Foods like junk food, surgery or packaged snacks can make you feel satisfied but due to the lack of any nutrients, cannot make you feel full for long.
• It is okay to stop when you feel full, even if there’s some food still left on the plate. You can keep the leftovers and eat when you feel hungry.

It is often said by science and researches that you should stop when you are 80% full, at this stage digestion would be much easier and efficient giving you the boost and saving your body from hunger. One should stop eating when they feel satisfied with the amount of food they ate. Reaching the feeling of satisfaction by the stomach and the brain both will help you feel good and reach satiety.

Footnote:
Keep these points in mind and be mindful while eating. Your body and hormones will naturally tell you when to actually stop.