Can’t stop binge eating during Diwali? Follow these 7 ways to control it

Come Diwali, we all enter the festive mode. Card parties, late nights, and lots of food and drinks make an appearance in our lives! Of course, enjoying those barfis and ladoos, as well as samosas is a given, but sometimes, we tend to go overboard and that can wreak havoc on our health. It is also known as ‘binge eating’, because you eat something in large quantities. 

But why does binge eating really happen, and are there any ways to tackle it? Parul Malhotra Bahl, Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator, and Founder at Diet Expression shares her perspective with HealthShots.

Why does binge eating happen during the festive season?

“People often overeat on occasions or festivities, but people who binge eat regularly might have an eating disorder, which must be given medical attention.

During festivities, people binge eat due to their social obligations, and/or due to their emotional connection with food. But many also binge due to additional underlying factors like stress, anxiety, extreme dieting or even depression, she adds. 

But what are some consequences of binge eating, be it during the festive season or otherwise? Bahl explains, “Binge eating at any point in time will leave you with unwanted discomfort, as it leads to indigestion causing acid reflux and gastric issues. It can even lead to hormonal imbalance, because the body ends up working more, in order to metabolize excess food. This results in increased secretion of hormones to maintain balance. Binge eating can also disturb your sleep pattern, and further affect your hormones and metabolism.”

Also Read: Feeling guilty about binge eating? Here are 4 damage-control tips to get you back on track

Are there any ways to control binge eating?

Absolutely, yes! These simple tips recommended by Bahl can really help you in the long run: