“I’ve gained weight,” is a common remark after the holiday season. The phenomenon of holiday binge-eating or overeating is a phobia for many people.
Holidays are often synonymous with overeating, which can lead to stress, anxiety and weight gain. First identified in 1956, the variety-induced overeating typical of holidays is known as the “smörgåsbord effect” and was discovered by French physiologist Jacques Le Magnen.
To prove the common phenomenon, Le Magnen tested his theory on rats. When he fed the rats unlimited amounts of a single type of food, they would eat until they felt full and then stop. But when he gave the rats a smörgåsbord with four different flavors of rat chow, the rats would eat about three times as much as normal, filling up with each new flavor.
This applies to the human population as well. The more varieties of food they are offered, the more they will eat, Typically from late November to early January, people become busy with abnormal holiday tasks. The combination of increased stress and the additional get-togethers can lead to weight gain. An average person attends five or more gatherings each holiday season. The extra calories, alcohol and salty foods may add a couple extra pounds for the time being.
Former Pleasant Valley Teacher Craig Clark has always feared weight gain over the holiday season, “It’s just practical when you think about it. How much food is eaten vs how much is normally eaten.”
But, not as much as one may think.
In general, people gain less than one pound over the several-week season. Of course, it’s definitely possible to gain more if one consumes an excess of calories, but regular weighing demonstrates that weight fluctuations around the holidays are consistent with the other 11 months of the year.
Clark remarked his thoughts on this fact, “That is really interesting, I feel like I definitely gain more.”
This weight will come off over time with regular exercise and consistency in meal sizes.
To stay on top of holiday weight gain this season, there are a couple things one can do. Stay consistent with exercise and drinking water. The more salty foods people consume, the more water their body will hold, but eventually this will not make an impact.. Exercising for 30 mins a day is enough to boost metabolism and relieve holiday stress.
“Exercising is important anytime of the year, but especially during the holiday season, staying consistent can keep weight under control, and relieve the extra stress,” Lifting coach Ryan Arnold said.
Those planning to indulge should make sure not to skip breakfast. Rather than “saving” calories for a singular meal, try to eat one meal high in protein and a second one for holiday treats.
In reality, the holiday season should be a time of celebrating with loved ones. Small amounts of weight-gain will not ultimately affect someone over a long period of time. A consistent routine, exercise and time to destress can be just what is needed to get off those extra few pounds.
