Hypnosis for portion control
If you finish everything on the plate, go back for more without thinking, or only stop when you feel uncomfortably full, this page is for you.
You may have heard of gastric band hypnosis. I used to call it that, and I no longer describe it that way. The name suggests hypnosis works like surgery, and it doesn’t. What hypnosis can do is help you notice when you’ve had enough, feel satisfied with a smaller amount, and change the automatic habits that keep the portions large.
Signs this could help
- You clear your plate even when you’re no longer hungry
- You eat quickly and the food is gone before you’ve noticed it
- Seconds feel automatic, especially in the evening
- Your portions have crept up over the years
- You feel you’ve wasted food if you leave any
How I work with it
We start by finding out where the big portions come from. For some people it’s a rule from childhood about clearing the plate. For others it’s eating fast, eating while distracted, or using food to wind down after a long day.
In hypnosis I help you rehearse eating more slowly, noticing the point where you’ve had enough, and stopping there without a fight. Many clients describe the feeling of enough becoming easier to hear. Between sessions you listen to your recording and practise small changes, such as a smaller plate or putting your fork down between mouthfuls.
What it won’t do
Hypnosis doesn’t shrink your stomach, block hunger or replace a healthy diet. A small study at the University of Hull found that people given gastric band hypnosis did no better than people given ordinary relaxation hypnosis. I’d rather be straight with you about that and focus on what does help: habits, attention and how you feel about food.
Please read this first
If you’ve had weight-loss surgery or are waiting for it, tell your surgical team you’re having hypnotherapy. If you’re already eating very little, or feel anxious or guilty about eating at all, please speak to your GP or contact Beat, the UK eating disorder charity, on 0808 801 0677 before working on portions.
Hypnosis downloads for portion control
Common questions
Is this the same as gastric band hypnosis?
It covers similar ground, but I don’t claim it works like a real band. The focus is on noticing fullness and changing habits, which is what actually makes the difference.
How many sessions will I need?
Many people with one clear habit do well with three sessions. If portion size is tied up with emotional eating or long-standing patterns, we may need more. We’ll agree that on the consultation call.
Will I feel hungry?
The aim isn’t to make you go hungry. It’s to help you eat enough, notice when you’ve had enough, and feel fine about stopping there.
Work on it with me
Book a consultation call and we’ll talk through your eating, what you’ve tried and whether hypnotherapy is right for you. The £49 fee comes off your first session.