How to Stop Overeating During the Holidays

For many, the holiday season is a time when we allow ourselves to indulge. Extra helpings of every meal, combined with rich, sugar-filled desserts, are a staple of the holiday season. The days leading up to New Years are a time of festive celebrations, and yes, plenty of overeating.

It’s perfectly okay to indulge every now and then, with particular caution if you have any ongoing health needs such as diabetes, acid reflux, lactose intolerance or peptic ulcers. However, overeating doesn’t have to be the source of your annual upset stomach. There are ways to stop overeating during the holidays.

How to stop overeating 101

1. “Listen” to your stomach.

There’s a difference between comfortably full and uncomfortably full. It may mean not finishing a meal, skipping dessert or passing on another helping, but preventing a feeling of discomfort all comes down to being aware of how you feel as we eat. Overeating is often done unconsciously, as we won’t notice we feel unwell until it’s too late. Taking the time to be aware of how you feel at every stage of a meal is a simple step that can save you from unpleasant digestive issues later.

2. Take your time.

The holiday season may be the only time of the year in which you can enjoy certain treats that are reserved for the winter. The specialists at San Francisco Gastroenterology (SFGI) recommend that you slow down while eating each meal. Not only will you be more aware of how much you’re eating, but you’ll also notice when you’re comfortably full.

3. Be choosy with selection and portions.

Just because a large selection of food may be available doesn’t mean you should indulge is everything offered. Trying a small piece as a sampling will satisfy cravings and help avoid overeating. When visiting a restaurant, you pick one or two items you like best and that would make up your meal. The same should be applied to an occasion in which large portions and a variety of foods are present.