In all people, the food they eat has an impact to a greater or lesser extent. Very often, when we do not have enough time to cook something of good quality, we eat fast or junk food. Another problem is the prices of food products, as quality food is always expensive.
In addition, low-grade foods include many harmful ingredients that provoke even more appetite and make us eat more than we need.
That is why overeating can be considered as one of the most common issues in modern society. How can we overcome it if it has already become a systemic problem?
To overcome overeating, we do not need to switch to a strict restrictive regime. On the one hand, a too fanatical abstinence from food can lead to mineral deficiency in our body and seriously harm us in the future.
In addition, we should not underestimate the risk of developing a more serious and dangerous eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia.
Why do we have a tendency to overeat?
The affinity for overeating is inherent in a very large percentage of people. There are many reasons for this.
When we take a bite of our favorite dish, some basic life processes begin to develop in our body. The very fact that we like this food triggers the secretion in our endocrine system of higher than normal dopamine levels.
In addition, some products have the ability to cause even more active production of this hormone. One of the classic examples of such foods is chocolate. On top of being unearthly tasty, it stimulates our glands to secrete violently.
Under the influence of hormones, our mental state changes and we literally feel happier. This is the reason why most of us are so addicted to it.
So – eating is a great pleasure! Okay, so why don’t all people overeat?
For some, this is due to irregular eating. About a third of people say they eat only once a day. This invariably leads to excessive food intake.
Others admit that sometimes they resort to large amounts of food as a means of dealing with boredom and anxiety. This is probably one of the most harmful ways to eat. You need to work on yourself, if that’s the case.
The digestive system is first and foremost affected by systemic overeating. Therefore, its first accompanying symptoms are pain and bloating in the abdomen, as well as heartburn and gas while it is also possible to experience nausea.
With the deepening of uncontrolled eating, irreversible changes occur, such as enlargement of the gastric cavity and others. In some cases, even surgery is required.
In the long run, other far more serious conditions can develop, such as high levels of bad cholesterol and blood sugar, high blood pressure, obesity, which in turn can be a prerequisite for many dangerous diseases.
There is a lot of talk about all kinds of drugs and supplements that are effective in suppressing appetite. However, drug therapy can be no less dangerous than overeating itself. Especially when taken without medical supervision as unpredictable health consequences can occur.
The key to activating the metabolism is in balancing our doshas. When they are at their natural rest, our glands, hormones and enzymes are in harmony and work in the best way.
How can Ayurveda help us?
In Indian medicine, many ways have been found to overcome the spontaneous desire that drives us to overeat. Therapies are non-invasive and have no side effects.
Meditation
Meditation practices are widely used in Ayurveda to treat eating disorders. Especially if you are prone to overeating because of your nerves, you must work on your emotional balance.
Regression therapy is recommended to make us aware of our behavior and to start controlling it better. In this way we will be able to build the necessary self-control to change our lives.
Herbs
Ayurvedic herbs that can help dull the urge to eat include ajwain, punarnava, long pepper, aloe vera. Garlic decoctions are also widely used in combination with ginger.
Some useful eating habits
Count calories, but not fanatically
It is not the portion size that directly affects how much we can gain from it. Not everything is black and white even in diets.
If you are not so thorough as to assess your caloric intake every day, then at least focus on the ratio of nutrients in your plate and strive to keep it balanced.
If you have really calculated how much food you need, pour just as much and do not reach out for more. If you don’t count the calories, just eat what you’ve poured, and you can get some more in between meals. It is believed that more frequent but small portions have a better effect on weight.
Ayurveda dictates that our food ration should be no more than we can hold in our hands.
Don’t demonize sugar!
Do not think that in order to overcome overeating, you need to completely exclude your favorite foods from your diet. After all, no one ask us for superhuman manifestations of stoicism!
Excluding sugar from your diet is neither as easy as it sounds at first glance, nor as useful as some influencers make it seem.
First of all, be careful what sweeteners you replace it with – some are even more harmful than sugar. On the other hand, if we are constantly hungry, the mind becomes obsessed with the thought of food.
Eat slowly
You’ve probably heard this many times since you were little. This is actually a scientifically proven fact. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. We must emphasize that, this means not slow, but prolonged chewing of each bite.
Eat alone
According to Indian traditional medicine it is right to eat in solitude. If that is not possible, it is enough to refrain from talking until you are done with eating. The same goes for the use of electronic and digital devices while eating, such as laptops, computers, smartphones and TVs.
They distract us from the process and sometimes our brain just forgets to send us a message to stop eating. It is also not recommended to listen to songs and music or to eat while dancing.
Some little tricks
If you still overeat, make yourself a tea with aromatic herbs and enjoy it. At least it will certainly relieve you.
To eat healthy and in moderation, we do not need to become fanatics. Even if sometimes we “sin” with a piece of pasta, something fried or a small cake, it does not matter – of course, as long as we do not overdo it.
It is of paramount importance to ask about what processes are triggered in our body when eating and how their course is distorted under the influence of various factors. We need to work on ourselves and build a well-balanced, regular and healthy lifestyle.
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