Why We Overeat at Christmas

Christmas triggers serious overeating and science reveals it's not just about willpower.

Our bodies evolved to crave calorie-dense foods in winter as a survival strategy for storing energy

during scarcity. Meanwhile dopamine and insulin from rich festive foods light up brain reward

circuits making them irresistible. Social gatherings amplify this effect because we naturally

eat more when surrounded by others. Add cultural traditions and emotional eating from stress or nostalgia

and you've got the perfect recipe for overindulgence. Studies show most people retain this

holiday weight into the new year. The good news is occasional feasting isn't harmful and

understanding these biological and psychological drivers helps us enjoy the season guilt-free.