Keeping your body well-hydrated is always a good practice, especially after a binge, because water aids in digestion and reduces bloating. Vavrek recommends sticking with vegetables, fruits and other foods with high-fiber content as well as lean protein the day after a binge.
Although experts say that after overeating it may take up to three days to feel like your old self again, there are some exercise, diet, and motivational tips that can help you get back on track right away.
Overeating causes the stomach to expand beyond its normal size to adjust to the large amount of food. The expanded stomach pushes against other organs, making you uncomfortable. This discomfort can take the form of feeling tired, sluggish or drowsy. Your clothes also may feel tight, too.
When it comes to balancing food eaten with activity, there's a simple equation: energy in = energy out (in other words, calories eaten = calories burned). So, yes, it is possible to burn off food calorie for calorie with exercise.
“I know ginger has some solid backing for helping with nausea and upset stomach – ginger tea, ginger ale, ginger candy or chews or freshly grated ginger,” she said. In addition to aiding the stomach, ginger also can help increase movement of the rest of the gastrointestinal system after you ate too much.
Get moving. If you've overeaten, take a gentle walk to help stimulate the process in your body that pushes the food down your gastrointestinal tract. Don't run or overexert yourself, though. If you work too hard, blood will flow to your legs rather than your stomach, and digestion will slow down.
Your body is most comfortable digesting food in an upright position, as it allows for easy digestion. Lying down immediately after eating a light meal for dinner can cause the stomach contents to reflux into the oesophagus, triggering symptoms of GERD and heartburn.
Myth or Fact: If you cut down on your food intake, you'll eventually shrink your stomach so you won't be as hungry. Answer: Myth. Once you are an adult, your stomach pretty much remains the same size -- unless you have surgery to intentionally make it smaller.
If you have a big meal, your stomach doesn't magically get bigger and stay that way—it shrinks back down to its previous size in about four hours or less as your food is pushed along to the small intestine, Staller says.
Exercise after eating too much can actually help with digestion, get your circulation pumping, and give you a little bit of energy, so, you know, you can feel more like yourself. (BTW, here's what nutrition pros suggest doing when you eat too much.)
Many people complain that they gain weight around the holidays, but you'll be happy to know that you can't really gain weight from a single meal or day of overeating.
Fasting after a binge may also reinforce the mentality that food is morally bad and must be compensated for. It can be viewed as a type of purging, an unhealthy coping mechanism used to rid the body of food consumed.
If you have a big meal, your stomach doesn't magically get bigger and stay that way—it shrinks back down to its previous size in about four hours or less as your food is pushed along to the small intestine, Staller says.
You'll want to eat more because your stomach is big.” So how to do you undo the stretched out effect of a large meal? Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Instead of three large meals a day, aim for five “mini-meals” of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two healthy snacks.
Again, bloat typically goes away on its own within 24 hours, but here are some short- and long-term solutions to help the process along and prevent it from happening.
If you're feeling bloated from excess sodium, “the best tip for quick-ish relief is to drink more water and eat mild foods with potassium, like banana, avocado, and sweet potato,” says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD.
Lemon water can help with digestion
To relieve bloating, gas, and constipation, drink a cup of lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Lemon contains minerals that promote healthy digestion, alleviate heartburn, and stimulate healthy bowel function by reducing bloat and stimulating bowel movements.
When you stretch your stomach with a lot of food, it doesn't stay that way or stretch out. It simply goes back to its previous size once it digests your food. Your stomach is constantly expanding and shrinking to accommodate your food.
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.