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No one is immune to overindulging on food once and awhile. But for many Americans, overindulging is a way of life... a very dangerous and unhealthy way of life.

If you're one of the millions of people who has difficulty controlling their appetite and weight gain, there are things you can do to eat less and live a healthier life. Below are the most common reasons for overeating and simple solutions to help you conquer the problem and eat less, via Health magazine.

Top 3 Reasons We Overeat (and How to Stop)


1. Not getting enough sleep. When you're sleep deprived, your body compensates by producing excess hormones that control appetite and make you hunger for things like carbohydrates and sugar. A 24% increase in appetite has been reported in sleep-deprived people.

What to do? Make 7-9 hours of sleep each night a priority. If you have trouble sleeping, try exercise during the day, reading a book before bed and turning off the TV. If you still have trouble sleeping, it may be time to see your doctor. On days when you crave sugars and carbs, try high-fiber carbs and protein instead.

2. Stress. Like sleep deprivation, stress also causes your body to produce insulin and excess hormones like cortisol, which affects appetite and weight gain. Cortisol and insulin also cause your body to store more fat and lead to heart attacks and strokes. When we're under constant stress, our bodies crave high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods and makes it hard eat right.

What to do? Exercise. Go for a run, a walk, a bike ride, a hike - just get moving. Commit to a workout schedule and you'll see a decrease in stress almost immediately. You can also try deep-breathing techniques or a stretching routine. Health magazine recommends progressive muscle relaxation, (alternately tensing and relaxing major muscle groups) which has been shown to lower stress, cortisol and insulin levels.

3. Biology. It's natural to crave fatty, sugary, high-calorie foods. Before there were grocery stores on every block, that kind of food meant energy and survival. Nowadays, we still have a tendency to crave rich foods, even though we no longer require them to survive. What's worse, just the sight of certain foods can trigger intense cravings.

What to do? Fight the urge by reminding yourself what you want more than that doughnut or slice of pie - a long and healthy life. You're stronger than you think. (Avoiding the sight of your favorite foods helps, too.)

There is no magic wand here. Gaining control of overeating and weight gain is not easy, but it can be done. Believe in yourself and your willpower. Get plenty of exercise and fresh air. Eat lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Drink lots of water. Sleep. Breathe. You can do it.