We pay a lot of attention to what we're eating, but the truth is how we eat is more important.

According to this article from The Daily Mail, here are some rules to keep in mind when you're noshing:

• During a meal, leave at least 20 minutes between courses -- that's how long it takes your body to register fullness.
• Chew each piece of food slowly and for a long time -- up to 20 chews per mouthful.
  
• Don't talk while eating -- it makes food harder to digest.
  
• Eliminate distractions -- eating while watching TV or reading distracts your brain and makes it harder for it to determine if you're hungry.

Bottom line: Beat the bulge by learning how to gage your own hunger. In other words? Stop wolfing down your food.