Methods and devices for delivering electrical stimulation to the sympathetic nervous system in response to the onset of eating. In some methods, swallowing is detected which then initiates a dose of stimulation which can vary in intensity, frequency, or both over the dose length. In some methods, the dose length is between about one quarter hour and one hour. The dose frequency may increase, hold steady, then decrease over the dose duration so as to mimic the response of the gut stretch and nutrient receptors to receiving food. The dose can drive biomarkers indicative of eating, for example glucagon, glucose, FFA or glycerol to at least about half of their normal post eating levels and then stop so as to retain stimulation effectiveness for subsequent doses and to prolong battery life.