Eat until satisfied?

Eating until full or satisfied- what a novel idea! My girls know, naturally when to quit eating why do I not?! They eat their fill and then they are done. They can't, won't and don't (even if I would allow it) eat a whole bag of M&M's or cookies. They choose tomatoes, raisins or carrots over sweets most of the time (which is so wonderful- I am proud of them). Now, me on the other hand- I actually have to actively deny and prevent myself from inhaling a bag of cookies or whatever (I am having major cravings for sweet things specifically chocolate lately- don't really know why). At least I now have various incentives (like not gaining all the weight back :)) and tools to help me not fall back in these eating pitfalls and habits.

If and when does this ability to know our intake limits leave for some of us? I can't really remember when I really started having moderation problems related to food. We hardly had "bad" food in the house growing up so I didn't grow up with poor eating habits. I assume it happened around puberty? Is it hormonal? Is it stuff in our food? Is it emotional? Is it environmental? What is it? How can I help my girls not lose those bodily cues that help us with self-control in relation to eating?

Just a food related thought I have been thinking as of late and wanted to share...