The perils of overeating and how to stop it

Eating too much food, similar to eating unhealthy foods, can be very dangerous to our spiritual, mental and bodily health.

Many people unconsciously overeat and don’t realize it until after they finish a meal.

Scientists have long warned that obesity, which usually results from overeating, significantly increases the risk of numerous diseases, including respiratory conditions, diabetes and at least 13 cancers. It is also the leading risk factor for disability.

The human stomach simply does not need to be filled and should not be filled during every meal.

In Islam, Muslims are obligated to fast during the month of Ramadan, and encouraged to fast or do intermittent fasting a few days each month.

Another method to avoid overeating is mindfulness exercises, which can help you stick to reasonable portion sizes.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, and observing the inputs flooding your senses. By being mindful at meals, you’ll slow the eating process, pay more attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and perhaps avoid overeating.

When you feel like eating, pause for a moment and ask yourself: Am I hungry? If you use food as a coping tool, you may be out of touch with the cues that signal hunger or fullness, and it’s important to bring your awareness back to your body.

People who compulsively overeat, though, may use food as their only way of coping with negative emotions. As a result, they often feel that their eating is out of control. They think about food all the time and feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed after eating.

And you might not overeat regularly, but only when you’re feeling stressed, lonely, or upset.

In recent years, food addiction has become a popular idea among some scientists. Those researchers say that certain foods high in fat, sugar, and salt are addictive, causing changes in the brain similar to those made by drugs. Studies in animals have shown that rats that binge on sugar, for example, can develop signs of dependency.

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