Controlling Appetite
Controlling your appetite and controlling what you eat are not exactly the same thing. You may find that you're eating even when you are not hungry. The feeling of hunger and its opposite, satiety (SAY-uh-tee) may be controlled by a hormone produced in your brain called peptide YY (PYY). When you eat, your brain makes this chemical and when your body registers it, you stop feeling hungry.
But the problem is sometimes you don't give yourself enough time to realize you're no longer hungry. Many experts suggest that you should eat a reduced portion, then wait 20 minutes to see if you are still hungry. Other tips include drinking plenty of water, and spacing your meals properly. Foods with a lot of fiber can also help as fiber adds bulk without adding calories. Any and all of these strategies can help your body recognize that it has had enough.
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