by Eva Perry

Created on: July 31, 2007   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

In today's society, with an ever growing abundance of buffets and super size portions available, no wonder there is a problem of overeating. A person can, however, take the time to overcome the temptation from overeating with some discipline and practice.

For many people overeating is like a compulsion that a person does sometimes unknowingly, when they are eating a meal or around food. To counteract this behavior, a person may begin by using a few helpful tactics.

First of all, before you even sit down to a meal, drinking a glass of water does help to make you less prone to eat more, since your stomach is already filled with water. Or, if you're someone who is used to taking second helpings of food, drink a glass of water after your first serving too, which may deter you from eating more.

Next, be sure when you make a meal, try to make only enough for one serving per person, and not enough to fill a roomful of guests that aren't even there. If leftover food isn't there to tempt you, then overeating should become less of a problem.

Try to limit the foods to buy that you really enjoy, and try substituting them for another food you desire less, which may help you in preventing overeating of a food that's a real temptation.

When you are preparing a table setting for your meal, use a smaller plate, as well as smaller serving dishes for the food you will be eating. You're more apt to put less on your plate and not opt for a second helping when the food runs out.

If you are doing a great job in your food portion control, after a week or two reward yourself with a treat, that maybe you've denied yourself while trying not to overeat. Having a special treat to look forward to sometimes makes it much easier to maintain yourself from not overindulging in eating.

Regulate the time you will let yourself be sitting down at the table to eat, since many people find the longer they sit at a table, the more likely they are to keep on nibbling, even a few bites here and there.

Every person will make up their mind as to when, where, and how much they will eat, but knowing when to stop eating more food than their portion, will help prevent them from overeating.

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