Food Intake

There are tons of diets around today, and many of them work for many people. I believe I've found one that will work for everyone - no matter your lifestyle, size, age, cravings, or emotional attachment to food.

That's a very bold statement I know, but this is a very simple program that has all the elements required for a good diet.

First, understand that the stomache does not "tell" the brain that's it has food in it for up to 20 minutes. Yes, that's right, 20 minutes. This is why you can eat a meal, think you've had "enough", and then find out you feel stuffed.

How can we use this to help us on a diet?

First acknowledge that it's true, and you'll see it quickly once you try this "diet".

The next time you are going to eat, decide how much you want, and set it on the plate. However much it is. If you want to eat three helpings, put all three helpings on plates in front of you. If it's a candy bar, put it on a plate in front of you.

Now, divide everything you have in half - don't worry, you can eat as much as you want, we're not "cutting out half". Put one half on one side of the plate, and one half on the other. Whatever it is, candy, chips, meat, eggs, bacon, potatoes, whatever.

Eat the food on one side of the plate. Enjoy it, and know that the other half is there for you when you want it later.

Before you start on the second half, take 10 minutes to rest, have a conversation, watch TV, read the paper. Just don't eat or drink during this 10 minute period.

After the 10 minutes is up (this has given your stomache time to tell your brain that you have eaten some food), look at what you have left and decide how much you want to eat. Put that to one side of the plate, leaving the rest on the "for later" side. Go ahead and eat what you want, still leaving the "for later" food.

Once again, wait 10 minutes before you think about eating more.

What's important about this method is

• You can eat as much as you want - as long as you wait a few minutes (at least 10).
• You can eat whatever you want - as long as you wait.
• You know that the food is there if you want it - as long as you wait.
• You can save the "leftovers" for the next meal.

But an amazing thing happens, you realize that 1/2 might have been enough, and even if it's not, you seldom will eat as much as you first put on your plate.

Over time you'll adjust the amount you start with, keep doing the 1/2 even then. Keep doing the 1/2 diet for the rest of your life. If you start to slip you may eat more than you really want.

I have dieted off and on for much of my life, with mixed results. When I discovered this diet, I was able to lose weight to the level I wanted, and then maintain that trim, fit weight.

Go ahead, enjoy the foods you love, just give your stomache time to acknowledge that you've eaten it!

More finance tips

• Food Intake Reducing your food intake for healthier eating and maintaing or even losing weight.
• Diet Improving your diet.

Visitor Comments

Related Links