The holidays have become synonymous with gifts, shopping, as well as binge eating. Many people claim to suffer from post-holiday syndrome once the holidays over, when they notice they have packed on a few pounds.

Holiday food can tend to be very calorie-ridden. And it always seems to play a certain role in the holidays, so there is really no avoiding it. However, believe it or not, there are ways to avoid overeating during the holidays. One just has to keep in mind a certain mindset when it comes to these things.

Let Go of the Self-deprivation Tactic

Many people find that if they deprive themselves of that tempting piece of chocolate cake, they will find themselves scarfing down a huge chunk of the cake, only to regret it afterwards. Momtastic reports that the "everything in moderation" rule works in situations like this. When people find themselves surrounded by delicious food, they should never deprive themselves of these treats. A little helping of lasagna and a little bit of the turkey would help stave off those cravings and prevent one from feeling too deprived, only to gorge on humongous helpings later.

Let Go of Stress

The holidays tend to play tricks on one's mind, with all of the parties to attend, gifts to purchase and choosing holiday menus. Stress, unfortunately, equates to stress eating. And this only leads to unwanted weight gain. Take a deep breath. Rest. Keep your mind off of all of the holiday stress and try to enjoy the holidays. Remember that they do not have to be perfect. 

Avoid Fattening Beverages

While it might be tempting to overload on the sodas and the fruit punches at the next company party, remember the amount of sugar in all of these drinks. If possible, reach for water instead. Even better, keep hydrated before the party even begins, which will prevent overeating.

Pay Attention to Portions

There is indeed some truth to the old adage that one's eyes tend to get bigger when one is surrounded by food. One might be tempted o fill one's plate to the brim with delicious food, but be realistic and get only what you need. A little helping of everything would also help in order to eliminate that horrible, bloated feeling one gets after overeating.

Listen to the body

People tend to forget that the body can only take so much food. Growing Human Kindness suggests that when one feels full already, stop.