How Hungry Are You, Really?

Do you really know when you need to eat -- and when to stop? The cues you've been depending on may be as reliable as a $2 umbrella in a hurricane. Discover the truth about them so they won't fool you again in the future.

The cue: A growling stomach. It does mean you're hungry, but it doesn't really tell you how hungry you are. Just because your stomach is making noises doesn't mean that you need to wolf down a side of beef with an extra helping of mashed potatoes (not that you should ever do that, anyway). In fact, having a big meal quickly can still leave you wanting to eat a few hours later. Next time your stomach is talking to you, take it slowly (and make it healthy). It takes about 25 minutes for a peptide known as CCK to be stimulated and tell your brain that your stomach feels fuller than an airport during the Thanksgiving rush.Here are three more ways to stop overeating forever.

The cue: An empty plate. Studies show that visual clues help you determine how full you think you are. The trouble is, you might not think you're satisfied until your plate is clean -- no matter how large the plate is. Right-size your meals by using smaller plates. And teach your mind to stop using the plate as a guide: Check in with yourself frequently throughout the meal to see whether you really need more food to fill up -- or your eyes just think you do. Watch this quick video for helpful portion-control pointers.