“Using the Hunger Scale to Know When to Stop Eating”

Max loved to eat, but sometimes he didn’t know when to stop. One day, his mom noticed that he was eating his dinner very quickly. “Max, do you know the Hunger Scale?” she asked. Max shook his head. “What’s that, Mom?” She explained, “The Hunger Scale helps you listen to your tummy. It goes from 1 (super hungry) to 10 (so full you can’t move). We want to eat until we feel about a 5 or 6—satisfied but not stuffed.” Max tried it the next time he was eating. He started at a 4 on the Hunger Scale, and by the time he reached a 6, he stopped. Max was amazed! He didn’t feel stuffed, but he was full enough to feel happy. He learned that paying attention to his hunger signals made him feel better after meals. From then on, Max used the Hunger Scale every time he ate. It helped him stop at just the right point, and he felt more energetic and happy. Max realized that by listening to his tummy, he could enjoy his food and still feel good!