How full should you feel after eating?

Stuffed or satisfied

There's a difference between feeling stuffed or satisfied after eating, but how do you know when you've had enough to eat?

When you eat or drink something, your brain reacts to chemicals that are released – but, it only registers this reaction around 20 minutes later.

Know when to stop

If you've finished eating a meal but you're still feeling a little peckish, wait those 20 minutes and see if you're still hungry. Those chemical levels increase after you've eaten, and your hunger will often disappear.

Pay attention to your body

While you're eating, note how your stomach feels throughout the entire meal. When you become full, the empty feeling you had before eating will be replaced by a gentle pressure. The moment you start feeling this pressure, you'll know it's time to stop eating.

You should still feel light after eating – not stuffed. If you feel uncomfortable after eating, you'll know that you've overeaten.

Recommended reading: What your portion sizes should really look like

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