3 ways to avoid overeating this Christmas season

With special dishes laid out on the Noche Buena table, and a number of gatherings happening over Christmastime, overeating is almost always expected during the holiday season.

But in an episode of Pinoy MD, Internist-Cardiologist Dr. Aileen Albana Tamargo warned of higher risks for a myriad of diseases that overeating can cause.

The good doctor gave three simple tips anyone can follow this Christmas season to avoid overeating.

1. Keep yourself hydrated. 

"Uminom ka ng maraming tubig kasi aside sa magagandang nagagawa nito sa katawan, nakakapag-promote rin siya ng fullness para hindi ka masyadong kakainin," Dr. Aileen said.

2. Don't go to parties hungry. 

"Small frequent feedings ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila. Kahit na kumakain ka sa party, piliin mo yung healthier options," she added.

3. Avoid salty food...

...And oily and fatty food, processed food, fast food, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages. According to Dr. Aileen, these food items cause blood pressure and sugar to shoot up.

Overeating can lead to obesity, which can cause metabolic syndrome.

"Magkakaroon ka ng excess body fat sa katawan so kapag meron kang excess body fat, magkakaroon ka ng increased na circumference," she said.

"Puwedeng tumaas ang blood pressure ang triglycerides mo at ang blood sugar mo at puwede ring bumaba ang HDL o ang tinatawag na good cholesterol," she added.

When all of these complications are combined, Dr. Aileen said that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

"Kapag hindi na siya nai-burn, magiging excess body fat na siya. At yung excess body fat na yun, yun ang magli-lead to obesity, at yung mga ibang complications," Dr. Aileen said.

"Kapag hindi inagapan at pagpatuloy na nag-overeat ang isang tao at patuloy na andun siya sa obesity maari itong makapagl-ead sa complications kagaya ng heart attack or stroke," she added.

— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News