Hungry kya?

I eat for a living. In other words I live to eat. It may sound like a blasphemous admission from a health-columnist. But the truth is, food ...

I eat for a living. In other words I live to eat. It may sound like a blasphemous admission from a health-columnist. But the truth is, food excites me! I can8217;t resist sinful desserts. I love restaurants and eat out all the time. I am passionate about fitness and health too, because that is what enables my senses to respond to food. And so I8217;ve developed an endless appetite to find out more about how to eat my way to health.

I share with you what I have learnt from leading experts and doctors over the years.

It8217;s about the appetite mechanism: It8217;s only when one understands it, one realises that bad habits don8217;t just mean junk food, but also being out of harmony with the way you eat.

Ever wondered why eating and emotions are linked? Our appetite is coordinated in an area called thehypothalamus which also controls a lot of our emotions. The 8220;feeding8221; centre here has the 8220;hunger8221; and 8220;fullness8221; centres. The number of 8216;satiety8217; signals reaching these dictate whether you feel hungry or full. It8217;simportant to feel pleasantly full as you are less likely to binge between meals.

Chewing: Nobody ever told me why I should chew my food well. Sure, it helps in digestion, but it also generates 8216;satiety8217; signals. This is because within the jaw are stretch-receptors that respond when you chew.

Exciting the taste buds: Foods that turn you on are called 8216;organoleptic8217; foods. These that smell, look, taste and feel good are actually good for you, for they register quick satisfaction.

Lifting the arm: The more you lift your arm to eat, the greater will be the satisfaction. That8217;s because you give your brain the time to register those signals.

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Trust your stomach: Within the stomach wall are more stretch-receptors. When you eat sugary, refined or fatty foods, they pass easily through your stomach, generating few signals. So, you tend to eat more. But, high-fibre food fruits, veggies, whole grains stays in the stomach longer, sending stronger signals.

Next week, I8217;ll share with you some more about 8220;food and mood8221; and also some seemingly very basic tips on eating the right way. Bon Appetit!