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January 25, 2023

Tips To Stop Overeating

Posted In: Fitness & Wellness

Everyone gets in the holiday spirit in Totowa, New Jersey. It’s a season of sharing and caring. It’s also a season of meeting and eating. Holiday feasts, brunches and dinners are frequent. Some workplaces have snacks brought in by staff on a daily basis. Is it any wonder that people eat too much and gain weight over the holidays? Here are some tips to help you stop overeating and start to enjoy the real flavors of the holiday.

Eat before you go to a holiday party and enjoy a sampling of every dish.

Some people starve themselves before they go to holiday dinners, knowing there will be delicious dishes they only get at holiday time. That pecan pie that Aunt Mary makes, those delicious stuffed mushroom caps that beckon you to the table and enjoying the Feast of the Seven Fishes with the family can all leave you feeling amazed and saddened by how much you ate. You can enjoy all the dishes, just less of everything, a sampling. Don’t leave the house ravenous. Eat something healthy to take up belly space, so when you arrive at the party you can enjoy just a sliver or a sampling.

Chew slowly and savor the flavor.

One reason people tend to overeat is that they eat too fast. If you slow down your pace, you’ll enjoy every bite. Chew each bite well before you swallow and start the next. As you’re eating, focus on each flavor you taste and try to identify the ingredients. Find out who made a dish you particularly love and ask them how it’s made. That quick conversation will slow down eating so your brain can catch up to your stomach. It can also confirm whether you actually recognized the ingredients or were wrong.

Take a break from chewing.

Think about it. For about five to ten minutes after a dinner begins, there’s absolutely no noise in the room, just the sound of munching and crunching. Instead of eating your through those first ten minutes, eat a small amount and take a break. You can take your chewing break in a number of ways. Have a bottle or glass of water to sip, while you’re taking a break or volunteer to hold a baby so the parents can get their food and have a bite to eat.

  • If you’re eating in a restaurant, remember you can take your food home. Eat slower, letting the food settle a bit and leaving half on your plate. Ask for a container or share the dish with a friend.
  • At a buffet, take a tiny amount of the dishes you want. You can always go back for more. If the option is available, use one of the smaller plates.
  • Find ways to get up and move around, whether it’s helping an elder to get their food or simply going for a walk before you get a dessert. You’ll probably eat far less dessert and enjoy it more.
  • What you drink makes a difference. Instead of a higher calorie soft drink or alcoholic beverage, have a glass of water. It will fill you up, quench your thirst and save tons of calories.

For more information, contact us today at Prime Fitness Studio