Hunger triggers feelings of hunger and prepares the stomach to accept food. You must be able to recognize if your stomach is hungry, sometimes you can mistake the feeling of hunger for thirst. Try drinking a glass of warm water next time you are hungry…but you don’t think you should be, maybe you have eaten a short while ago. A glass of water 15 minutes before you eat can also lead to eating less. Hunger will make you uncomfortable if it is not properly managed. It could lead to a mild form of binge eating, as you are so hungry and have built up anticipation of the food. This could lead to a cycle of overeating.

Here are ways to help you keep hunger in control and avoid the chance of becoming a compulsive eater.

Measure and delay hunger
Hunger has different intensities. Every time you feel hungry, mark the intensity of the hunger in your mind; 1 as a little hungry and 5 as very hungry. Delay hunger if you can. You overcome the hunger, and eating is postponed. Do you feel good? Relish your success!

Eat small portions
Hunger prepares the stomach for food. Eat small portions, the food will taste better, and the digestive systems will not be overworked. Eating this way will give you a blast of energy better than that of coffee.

Decide how much to eat
Eat predetermined quantities, and decide how much is enough. Chew your food well. Slow down and relax. Feel content as you eat. Enjoy your food and savor every bite. Relish each moment as if it was the last meal.

Drink at the end of the meal
Herbal tea is relaxing; it is a nice drink after a meal and will help you move out of the mode of overeating. This will give your stomach the feeling of contentment. You feel the satisfaction now? Be thankful that you are satisfied.

The next time you are hungry, face it and be at peace. Hunger can cause feelings of being deprived. Ignore it. Hunger stir uncomfortable emotions. Again, ignore it. You can do it!

Compulsive people easily yield to temptations. It is a battle we need to face and win. The following are some of people’s confessions while battling overeating :

1. “God’s power is greater than my sin nature. When I resist sin, Christ moves into action. I have been given the authority to control sin and I am using it.”

2. “This temptation is a test of loyalty to God. I will pass it.”

3. “This trial I am going through is a gift.”

4. “I am willing to suffer physical discomfort. My suffering for Christ will turn to joy. You have suffered for me. In this, I suffer for Him.”

5. “This temptation is empty. The more I want, the more it causes me pain. I have decided to sacrifice all, wanting nothing, but to know Christ and let Him fulfill my needs.”

6. “There is no pleasure to expect from eating wrongly. My anticipation is stupid. I am increasing sin’s power by anticipation. I am becoming excited about anticipating something that is not real.”

7. “I do not accept this negative emotion, thought, feeling or anxiety. I will not believe a lie.”

8. “I repent. This desire is a sin. I have no excuse. Please, help me, Lord.”

9. “I am taking Your way out Lord. There is a way out of every temptation.”

10. “Overeating is gluttony. It is a sin. In stuffing my body for pleasure, I am abusing the body God has given me.”

11. “Food cannot fill the feeling of emptiness, only Christ can. The more I use food to run from inner pain, the worse it gets. I need to face it with courage. Insecurity, fear and doubt and worry of the future will not rule me. Christ has promised to supply all my needs according to His riches and glory. He is the Source of joy. He is the Source of peace. He is the Source of love. The more I draw close to the Source, joy, peace and love will come.

12. “I am a new creation in Christ. God has recreated me into an eternal being. The Creator of the universe lives in me and I am free. I am free of addiction. I need nothing from this world. I am content with what I have.”

With these, we see different approaches in countering overeating. Whatever way we choose, it all narrows to discipline.