Nibbling too much? Effective ways to tackle holiday overeating at your family meals

We often encounter overeating-related discomforts when faced with tables filled with culinary delights, especially during holidays or family gatherings. This is when it becomes challenging to adhere to our usual diet. Tempted by irresistible dishes, we tend to load our plates with more food than necessary, leading to indigestion, bloating, and stomach aches.

The most crucial guideline is to eat mindfully. Listening to our body's signals is essential, and we should never let ourselves become extremely hungry before eating. For instance, starving ourselves before a festive dinner, like on Christmas Eve, is a regrettable decision. Such practices often lead us to consume large quantities of food quickly and prevent our brains from recognizing that we're satiated. Besides, we typically don't chew our food properly under such circumstances, pushing our digestive system to work overtime.

Having a glass of water about half an hour before a big meal can help counteract overeating; it fills the stomach, reducing our food intake. But what if we've already overindulged? Fortunately, there are straightforward remedies.

Surprisingly, you don't necessarily need to rely on over-the-counter solutions. Simple home remedies and light physical exercises can alleviate digestive discomfort. For instance, taking a short walk can positively influence digestion and bowel movements. Other helpful measures include:

• Drinking warm teas or herbal infusions. Black and green teas are good choices, as well as chamomile, mint, verbena, and thyme.
• Creating a Cleopatran concoction of water with a tablespoon each of vinegar and honey.
• An occasional small serving of alcohol, such as wine or vodka sprinkled with pepper, could also be beneficial (but remember, moderation is key).