Over Eating

Foods that can help in controlling overeating:

• Try eating 1 ripe banana - chopped up with 1 tsp ghee and a pinch of cardamom. It is helpful in pacifying obsessive eating habits.
• Drink 1 cup of warm milk boiled with ½ tsp of brahmi when you feel hungry.

How to differentiate between actual hunger and cravings?

Not eating food even when you are hungry is not recommended (unless it is being done occasionally). So, it is important to know whether you are actually hungry or just having cravings making you feel like you are hungry. In order to do so, try doing the following:

• Drink tea - licorice tea, chamomile tea or mint tea. If it is just a craving caused by emotional distress, it will subside. 
• Ask yourself if you are hungry enough to eat an apple. If the answer is No, then it is highly likely that you are not really hungry and are just craving food.

What can I do after I realize that my hunger is emotional?

• Take a 20 minute brisk walk in fresh air. 
• Express your feelings. Try writing in a diary or talk to someone.
• Do a 15 minute meditation.
• Do Shitali pranayam.

Overeating caused because of hyperthyroidism:

Ayurvedic medicine called kaishore guggulu is helpful. Please contact an Ayurvedic doctor for the dosage of the same.

Yoga exercises to suppress emotional hunger that can lead to overeating:

• Moon Salutation
• Camel Pose
• Cobra Pose
• Spinal Twist

What can I do if I have already eaten too much?

• Dry roast 1 tsp of coriander seeds and 1 tsp of fennel seeds on an iron pan. Add a pinch of salt to it and eat the mixture once cooled.
• Take 1 cup of water and add juice of half a lemon to it. Just before drinking add a pinch of baking soda to it. Stir and drink quickly.

Do not drink sodas!!! And especially cold sodas. This will further slow down your digestion.

References:

Primary Reference: The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies - Part 3 - Pg 262-264