The secret? Slow down as you eat. Not only does it make you enjoy your meals more by helping you focus on the flavors—for instance, the basil in your pasta sauce or the chocolate frosting on your cupcake—you’ll automatically eat less, according to new research in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Eating slowly raises your body’s level of two gut hormones—peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide—that send an “I’m full” signal to your brain, which curbs your appetite. On the other hand, rushing through a meal quickly actually lowers these hormones, leaving you feeling hungry even after you’ve eaten.
[photo: iLoveButter]
