Are You Over Eating?

WHAT REALLY GOES ON IN YOUR BODY

 WHEN YOU EAT AN EXTRA PLATE

 YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE

Your body is great at sending you signals to say you have over done it, and if you don't listen to it, you could feel really sick or blame the cook for the extra pounds you pack on.
Well, well well!We have all done it. At grandmas house when she makes those fried plantains and fried fish stew with just enough chili in it to make the Pepsi cool the back of your throat. So let' find out what really happens when you have that extra plate.

You get a burning in your throat or chest: 

WHY: This is most likely a heartburn. 

Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Some of the symptoms, however, are similar to those of a heart attack or heart disease.
Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid. This can create a burning discomfort in the upper abdomen or below the breast bone.
With gravity's help, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, keeps stomach acid in the stomach. The LES is located where the esophagus meets the stomach -- below the rib cage and slightly left of center. Normally it opens to allow food into the stomach or to permit belching, then closes again. But if the LES opens too often or does not close tight enough, stomach acid can reflux, or seep, into the esophagus and cause the burning sensation.
Occasional heartburn isn't dangerous, but chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can sometimes lead to serious problems.

WHAT TO DO: 
Don't go to bed with a full stomach. Eat meals at least two to three hours before lying down. This will give food time to digest and empty from your stomach, and gives acid levels a chance to decrease before putting your body in a position where heartburn is more likely to occur.
Don't overeat. Decrease the size of portions at meal times, or try eating four to five small meals instead of three large ones.
Eat slowly. Take time to eat -- don't rush. Try putting your fork down between bites.

Chew some gum. Saliva is alkaline and will neutralize any acid coming upwards which will ease relief.

You loseinterest in the meal:

WHY: This is caused by a release of a hormone in your body called PYY because of the presence of food in your gastrointestinal tract. This is your body's way of regulating the amount of food you consume and thus signalling to the brain to reduce appetite.

WHAT TO DO:

Listen to those feelings of dis interest as you eat and for few hours afterwards. Not being distracted when you eat also can help as it will help you regulate the quantity you eat. distractions will keep you from watching the amounts you consume, so if you will be watching a movie while you eat for example, use a smaller plate and eat sensibly with regards to food types and quantity.

You feel full and sick:

WHY:  Before you eat, your stomach is the size of your fist. As you eat, it expands and the stomach walls will send signals to your brain to indicate that you are full. But because the stomach can hold as much as four liters of food, you might resist the urge to stop and keep eating especially if it is aunt Kemi's Rice and Beans with Fried chicken.

WHAT TO DO: 

Get up and walk around. Peppermint will also help and chamomile teas is great at reducing the sensations of fullness.

So when next you are at your favourite restaurant, and you over indulge in your favourite meal, you have these handy tips to help you solve the problems of over indulging.