Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

Too much stimulation can easily lead to overeating. Remembering to be mindful will help you get more enjoyment out of each bite and notice when you've had enough.

By Niika Quistgard-DeVivo

A little indulgence is natural at holiday parties. But get carried away and you'll end up bloated, tired, and bummed out. According to Ayurvedic principles, there's a physiological reason for this: When you eat in moderation, your body and mind are happy. But when you eat too much, you overwhelm your agni (the digestive fire), creating chaos in your belly and inviting unpleasant imbalances such as gas, weight gain, and depression.

Thankfully, you don't have to possess superhuman strength to tame your urge to overeat. Even as your favorite dessert beckons, a few simple strategies can help you resist. Be mindful of multitasking, for instance, and try to avoid too much stimulation. If you find yourself mingling, chatting, noshing, and sipping all at the same time, you're less likely to enjoy your food, which will leave you hankering for more. What's more, you probably won't recognize when you're full.

So take a few moments to let someone else be the life of the party while you eat silently. There's nothing wrong with enjoying delicious food-the key is finding ways to be present so you can enjoy but not overdo.