Yeah, most of us are slightly guilty of overeating. With all the Dollar Menus (give or take .10), bargain grocery deals, office “freebies” and affordable snacks at our fingertips, extra pounds become second nature. Our good friends over at CNN.com decided to do a study with leading experts to prove why we become enticed every time we smell a double-cheese burger or a fresh slice of apple pie. 

According to CNN Health, there are the three reasons in which you might have the urge to pig-out more than often (all notes are taken from CNN.com). Thanks to professionals, researchers and journalists many of us will have the answer to the question, “Why do we eat so much?”

#1. You’re not getting enough sleep

“According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, people who slept only four hours a night for two nights had an 18 percent decrease in leptin (a hormone that signals the brain that the body has had enough to eat) and a 28 percent increase in ghrelin (a hormone that triggers hunger), compared with those who got more rest. The result: Sleep-deprived study volunteers reported a 24 percent boost in appetite. Short sleep can also impair glucose metabolism and over time set the stage for type 2 diabetes, Knutson notes.”

Solution:

“When we’re exhausted, we hunger for just about everything in sight, especially if it’s sugary or high in carbs. That may be because these foods give us both an energy boost and comfort (since lack of sleep is a stressor), Knutson says. To quell the urge for fattening foods and still get the energy kick you need, reach for a combination of complex carbs and protein.”

#2. You’re sabotaged by stress

“Constant stress causes your body to pump out high doses of hormones, like cortisol, that over time can boost your appetite and lead you to overeat.”

Solution:

“But working stress-reduction techniques into your busy days can really help. Yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises are powerful tools that keep tension in check.” Dancing to your favorite music, playing a sport and executing some of your favorite non-eating pass-times might work as well.

#3. You’ve got fatty foods (literally) on the brain

“We’re hardwired to hunger for fatty, sugary, salty foods because, back when our ancestors were foraging for every meal, palatable eats meant extra energy and a leg-up on survival, says Dr. David A. Kessler, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and author of ‘The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite.’ So it’s not just a lack of willpower that’s tripping you up, but rather your outdated survival mode.”

Solution:

 “Avoid eating your favorite treat if you’re in a particular mood, if it’s a certain time of day, or if you’re in a specific place; this will prevent you from creating a triggering link between those feelings or locations and that treat, Kessler says.”

Good luck on your journey to better eating. DrJays.com encourages you to live and sustain a healthy lifestyle. It’s cool and fashionable to be in good health.

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