The Dangers of Overeating

By Donna Stark

Overeating isn't always a bad thing. There are certain times throughout the year when I think it is actually socially acceptable and when you are expected to eat more than you normally would. Times like Thanksgiving and Sunday dinners at your grandmother's house, for example. But it's not OK to overeat on a daily basis. So, if you are stuck at home and finding that your favorite new pastime is hitting the pantry as often as you can throughout the day, you may want to keep reading. Overeating doesn't just cause your tummy to hurt in the short-term. It can have long-lasting, serious effects on your overall well-being.

Dangers of Overeating

When your occasional binge turns into a daily habit, you could be looking at trouble down the road. And I'm not talking about the kind of trouble you must face when you eat all the cookies before anyone else can get one. I'm talking about serious health risks. Take a look at a few of them below.

• Weight gain and obesity
• Increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
• Joint dysfunction and arthritis
• Increased heart rate
• Poor sleep and sleep apnea
• Low energy
• Heartburn

Eating Healthily

Fortunately, there are some simple strategies you can use to stop yourself from overeating. Take a look at the following tips that will help you get your eating back onto a healthy track.

• Drink a glass of water - Drinking a glass of water before and during each meal will help your body feel full
• Eat mindfully - Most people will tend to eat more than they planned if they are also doing something else so place your focus on your food and keep it off of the distractions around you
• Watch your portion sizes - Use smaller plates if you have trouble controlling your portion sizes
• Avoid junk food - Keep the processed foods out of your cart as they are generally the easiest to overeat
• Stock up on produce - Fresh fruit and vegetables are loaded with fiber so try to eat more of these at each meal and snack time
• Eat slower - It takes time for your stomach to realize it is full so slow down and don't be in such a rush when you eat
• Reduce stress - Your appetite tends to increase when your body releases cortisol, so try to incorporate effective stress management techniques into your days

Eating Healthily

There are so many reasons why it can be hard to say no to food and there are so many reasons why it can be easy to ignore your good eating habits, but when you follow the simple tips above, those reasons will begin to lose their power over you. And when that happens, you can get back on the path to optimal health and wellness!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Vancouver, Wash.