5 tricks and tips to stop overeating at restaurants

If you are trying to lose weight, then with some time and effort, you may be able to control your cravings at home.

However, how do you manage to eat out at a restaurant or café and still stick to your weight loss journey?

To some people, eating out seems impossible as they come back home to a bigger number on the weighing scale.

If you too worry about the same, then these simple tips and tricks may benefit you.

Meal size at restaurants are usually large, and the portion is usually more than you can eat, especially if you are out with less people. Further, people usually order two or more food items for variety. With so much delicious food on the table in front of your eyes, you may be more vulnerable to overeat.

In such a case, ordering a to-go box can help. Ask for one as soon as your food comes and transfer the extra portion in the box. Eat only as much as you need, based on your hunger and appetite. Saving extra food in advance will prevent you from overeating later.

Since your table might be loaded with food soon after ordering, you may eat too fast, especially if people around you eat fast too.

Try to savor each bite by chewing your food slowly and thoroughly. This will allow your mind and digestive system to recognize that you’re full and prevent you from overeating.

It is easy to dive straight into your pizza, burger or fries. Now, you can eat them, but order a salad first. Salads at cafes also come in a wide, delicious variety and eating veggies can help fill you up to a certain degree, preventing you from overeating your high-calorie meal.

Staying hydrated is important as drinking water can also help to make you feel fuller faster. Also, sometimes, we might feel hungry when actually we are thirsty. So keep drinking water before and throughout your meal to avoid overeating.

You may think cutting off outside food ‘till you get thin’ is a strict and effective manner. However, unless you make long-term lifestyle changes, you are bound to eat out your favorite burgers and waffles sooner or later.

What’s more, if you deprive yourself of certain foods, you may be more likely to inevitably eat more than you would before. This is why strict dieting is not recommended for most people. Focus on balancing your diet and activity levels to stay healthy and lose any extra weight.