What does it mean to be ‘full up’?

Comedian Louis CK said: ‘I don’t stop eating when I’m full. I stop eating when I hate myself” – a joke that feels uncomfortably apt over here in the UK, where over half of men and women are expected to be clinically obese by 2050.

According to a recent survey by mint manufacturers Setlers Mintees, almost half of us regularly eat ourselves into a state of discomfort.

It seems 48% of people believe ‘food sweats’, bloating, fatigue and stomach ache are all normal feelings after dinner.

28% thought being full meant not being able to eat another bite without vomiting, while one quarter said they wouldn’t stop eating until their plate was entirely cleared.

For 43% of those surveyed, a clear plate didn’t mark the end of their meal. These people were self-confessed ‘plate divers’ – meaning they were more than happy to leap in and polish off their fellow diners’ leftovers as well as their own.

Leading nutritionist Amanda Hamilton said: “We know more about healthy eating habits now than ever before yet these statistics demonstrate that we are living in a ‘vulture culture’ society.”

Why have we become so greedy? Perhaps it was the ‘waste nothing’ mentality of our childhoods – more traditional parents usually punish their children for leaving food on their plates. One way to overcome this problem is, of course, to use a smaller plate and cut your portion size.

The problem with cutting portion size is that when the time comes around to dish up dinner, you might be feeling a little peckish and therefore may be more likely to pile up your plate. To combat the ‘eyes bigger than your stomach’ problem, drink a glass of water before you dish-up. This should help you feel a little fuller and prevent you from pigging out.

While you are eating, chew no less than five times per forkful. This will help you to eat more slowly, aid digestion and give your brain time to realise when you are full.

Try eating smaller portions for two weeks and see what it does to your body.

For information on how eating well can keep your body healthy, please visit our Nutrition Topics section.