- By Bornika Das
- Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The festive season is all about lavish feasts, can-not-resist sweets, and decadent spreads. But for most people, it culminates in bloating, guilt and a few kilos more. The silver lining is that indulging in your favourite festive treats doesn't necessarily have to sidetrack your health objectives. The art of portion control allows people to enjoy each bite without overindulgence. It's not about missing out on your favourite foods, it's about eating wisely and attentively. When in balance with enjoyment and discipline, you can savour every holiday speciality and still preserve your health.
As gatherings bring together loved ones and holidays pack tables with inviting fare, being smart about it is more critical than ever. Portion control, a straightforward and effective phenomenon, keeps indulgence in check. It's less about restriction and more about awareness, knowing how much your body really requires while enjoying the holiday cheer. By controlling serving portions and pairing them with conscious eating patterns, you can indulge in holiday feasting without the accompanying guilt. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at SCOD (Surgical Centre for Obesity and Diabetes) Clinic, shares smart portion tips that actually work this festive season.
Portion Control Tips During Festive Season
Small-sized Utensils And Visual Cues - Studies show that people tend to eat up to 20–25 per cent less when using smaller plates and bowls. It’s a simple psychological trick - the plate looks fuller, tricking your brain into feeling satisfied with less food.
Plate Balancing - Half your plate should include fibre-rich foods like salads, sautéed vegetables, or a light lentil dish. They help slow digestion, balance blood sugar, and prevent overeating on high-calorie festive foods like sweets or fried snacks.
ALSO READ: Small Bowls, Portion Control: 5 Mindful Tips You Can Try To Prevent Overeating
Practice Mindful Eating - Chewing your food slowly in a calm environment helps to give you signals of feeling full on time. Also, try to avoid distractions while eating, such as watching television or scrolling reels. Distractions can increase late-night munching and binge eating.
Festive Feasting Portion Control Tips (Image Credits: Canva)
Portion Control Myths To Be Avoided
Skipping Meal Before Going To Party - Many believe saving calories for later helps, but it backfires. Arriving hungry for a festive dinner increases cravings, especially for sugar and fried foods, leading to binge eating.
Counting Every Calorie Consumed - Festivals aren’t the time for food anxiety. Strict calorie counting adds stress and guilt. A better approach? Eat smartly, not obsessively. Enjoy what you love - just watch portions and frequency.
ALSO READ: 5 Festive Oats Recipes For Every Healthy, Easy And Delicious Celebration This Season
Detoxifying After Binge Eating - Overnight detoxes or juice cleanses after Diwali don’t undo overeating. Instead, return to balanced meals, hydrate well, and move your body to reset naturally.
Portion control doesn't mean restrictive eating; rather, it means food awareness and striving for balance. When you opt for smaller food servings, eat at a slow pace and listen to your body, magic happens. Just a few festive treats don't have the potential to bring you back from where you started. But the problem is mindlessly indulging in treats.