Great post. In addition, some foods/drinks are able to satisfy more than others whilst their calories don't add up.
Consider simple water. I once read a book which recommended to drink water right before dinner so you'd eat less; it seemed to work. Drinking water in general when I'm hungry helps, and has far less calories than soda or alcoholic beverages. Best of all, if you're in a restaurant in The Netherlands you may ask for tapwater and it has to be free (IIRC they could ask you service costs, not sure). But you need to make sure you ask for tapwater.
Also, learning to fast (practicing) can aid with feeling OK to be hungry. Some people start to feel terrible if they don't eat for a while (my partner has this problem) whereas I fasted for a longer time and it certainly changed my perspective on food in general. I'm not eating for a few hours? I'll survive. I've been through worse (whilst I was on smoking cessation I barely ate for a week, with very light foods such as cucumber).
Each year I do 2 dry fasts of ~7 days each, in addition to one or two water fasts of ~25 days each time. It's a great experience, and best gift you can give to your body.
Consider simple water. I once read a book which recommended to drink water right before dinner so you'd eat less; it seemed to work. Drinking water in general when I'm hungry helps, and has far less calories than soda or alcoholic beverages. Best of all, if you're in a restaurant in The Netherlands you may ask for tapwater and it has to be free (IIRC they could ask you service costs, not sure). But you need to make sure you ask for tapwater.
Also, learning to fast (practicing) can aid with feeling OK to be hungry. Some people start to feel terrible if they don't eat for a while (my partner has this problem) whereas I fasted for a longer time and it certainly changed my perspective on food in general. I'm not eating for a few hours? I'll survive. I've been through worse (whilst I was on smoking cessation I barely ate for a week, with very light foods such as cucumber).