How to cope with overeating during New Year holidays: expert advice

Many New Year's holidays are over, and some are still ahead, and we all can't seem to recover from overeating. And if at first everything seems appetizing and tasty, then with another new plate, the body fails. Therefore, we need to find out what makes us eat when we feel full, and what to do to feel good after the celebration.

Nutritionist Yaryna Paslavska spoke about the typical causes of overeating during feasts on her Instagram page.

Two typical reasons for overeating

1. In order to try all the dishes at the feast, many people don't eat anything at all all day before the celebration. In a state of hunger, we can pounce on the entire table (and the fattiest dishes will seem the most appetizing). And a heavy food load after a long pause will disable even a healthy stomach.

2. Talking while eating. We can feel that we are already full when we concentrate on the taste of food and the sensations afterwards. It's hard to do this when we're talking or otherwise distracted (watching TV, for example), so we cram more into ourselves than we need.

Why overeating is bad for the body

• The stomach expands from a large amount of food and can put pressure on other organs. This makes you feel uncomfortable and drowsy.
• To break down food, the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid, and due to overeating, it can flow back into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

How to help yourself and avoid overeating

• Before a meal, you should have a light snack and drink half a glass of warm water. This will give you a little bit of satiety and you will react calmly to the food on the festive table.
• Choose dishes made from vegetables, fruits, cereals, fresh salads, and a minimum of fat and meat (if you still have it in your diet). It is also worth reducing foods high in salt and sugar, as they irritate receptors and thus increase appetite. And also smoked meats, sauces, and pastries.
• Drink enough clean water throughout the day to help digestion.
• More calories mean more energy. Therefore, physical activity is essential during the holidays. If you don't burn calories, they will miraculously turn into extra pounds.