Locations:
SearchThe short answer from a gastroenterologist
Image content: This image is available to view online.
View image online (https://assets.clevelandclinic.org/transform/6a5410cd-789c-47a3-bc54-707078a73f24/stomachSmallerDiet-873833724-770x533-1_jpg)
Stomach size feels smaller
A: Not exactly, but here’s why you might feel full. Our stomachs have a reflex called receptive relaxation: As food enters your stomach, the muscles relax and expand out to accommodate more volume. In fact, your stomach can expand up to five times its volume after a meal as compared to before.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Some studies suggest that neurons surrounding and within our stomach wall actually control receptive relaxation. After losing weight, they may cause our stomachs to have less elasticity. This is also related to hormonal changes that affect our feelings of hunger and thirst, namely changes in the hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin.
All these factors can control whether you feel hungry or full, but none of them are related to any changes in the size of your stomach (even though it might feel like it).
—Gastroenterologist Maged Rizk, MD
Advertisement
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Make sure you’re being gentle and using a fragrance-free, mild soap to clean your belly button
Healthy eating helps, but so do a lot of other strategies for improving your overall health and wellness
Exercising while taking semaglutide and other GLP-1s helps prevent muscle loss and boosts metabolism
Some still turn to a 500-calorie deficit to lose weight, but that approach isn’t always effective or healthy
Lifestyle changes can bring a slight metabolic boost and health benefits
A consistent walking program is an effective way to drop pounds and lose body fat
This diabetes medication can treat obesity, but it’s not for people who just want to drop a few pounds
Successful weight loss takes a long-term commitment — build a healthy lifestyle you can stick with
Grocery shopping with a plan, paying attention to portion sizes and eating at your own pace can all help you put an end to this habit
Semaglutide and other GLP-1s work best as long-term medications
Antibiotics should be used for short periods alongside other treatments to help with inflammation
