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Do you know when you’re full? The key to quitting habits of over or under eating can be found in simple gesture we all recognize – the burp. A subtle signal (although at times it can be distracting if loud and boisterous), a burp tells you when you’ve had enough food for your personal digestive system. To maintain good health and eating habits, learn to understand your own energy and digestive needs by paying attention to how your body feels after eating certain foods or certain amounts of food.

Understanding the ideal amount of food intake for your body can greatly increase your energy levels and keep you from feeling sluggish, tired, stuffed or light-headed. Overeating most often causes feelings of distention around the stomach, heaviness and discomfort during physical movement, while under eating can cause weakness, dizziness and nausea.

The first burp signal is your body telling you “this is all I can handle right now”, also indicating that any food eaten beyond that burp will not be digested, and in fact, begins to ferment in the digestive system. When this excess food sits in the body and begins to ferment, it leads to increased acidity and excess gases in the body, which is what creates toxins that age us and make us more prone to diseases. Smelly burps indicate indigestion, as they signal that the food in the intestines is rotting, meaning that a detox or cleanse may be recommendable.

Burping can also be caused by excessive swallowing of air, drinking a lot during meals, as well as drinking carbonated beverages. To develop a natural burping pattern, it is recommended that talking a lot during meals, drinking large amounts of liquids or drinking carbonated beverages are avoided. Burping is also considered impolite, causing many people to suppress this natural indication of fullness. Instead of getting caught up in all the distractions of the mind and the social setting of a dinner, try to engage all of your senses, smelling the food, appreciating the way it looks, and truly tasting every bite of your meal. This will help you balance your digestive system while, eating, and most likely allow a burp to form naturally once your body is full.

Most experts say that the correct amount of food for your is roughly what you can hold in your two hands cupped and a meal should be eaten within 30-40 minutes. This can vary according to your metabolism, lifestyle and genetics, but is a good starting point when figuring out the ideal amount for you. If you discover that a burp arises very soon in your meal, you may have to consider paring down your intake. As long as you are getting enough nutrition for your body, cleaning up the digestive system and ridding it of rotting and fermenting food may result in some feelings of hunger. On the other hand, you may have to eat slightly more than you are used to and avoid drinking as much water or soda or taking so much time in between bites to develop a natural burp and relieve your body of excess air. Hopefully you will then find a natural balance for your digestive system that keeps you energetic, focused and clear!

Source: Hale Pule

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