8 Signs You're Overdoing It With the Holiday Sweets

1. You’re Constantly Tired (Even After Rest)

Sugar gives you that quick burst of energy, but the crash that follows? It’s brutal. When you eat too many sweets, your blood sugar spikes and then plummets, leaving you drained and sluggish. If you’re waking up feeling like you didn’t sleep at all, it might be time to swap the sugar cookies for something with fiber and protein.

2. Mood Swings Are Taking Over

Ever felt on top of the world one minute and ready to snap the next? Well, sugar excess could be playing with your emotions. High sugar intake can mess with your insulin levels, which in turn affects your mood. Plus, a sugar crash can leave you irritable, anxious, or downright grumpy.

3. You’re Breaking Out Like a Teenager

Sugar can wreak havoc on your skin. High sugar consumption increases insulin production, which can trigger inflammation and, in turn, breakouts. If your skin suddenly feels like it’s plotting against you, take a closer look at how much dessert you’ve been indulging in.

4. Your Stomach’s Not Happy

Too much sugar can disrupt your gut health, feeding bad bacteria and leading to bloating, gas, or even digestive issues. If your stomach feels off and you’re not sure why, consider scaling back on sugary snacks. Probiotics and fiber-rich foods can help get your gut back on track.

5. You’re Always Thirsty

Ever noticed that after a sugar binge, you feel like you could drink an entire gallon of water? Excess sugar in your bloodstream can pull water from your tissues, leaving you dehydrated. This thirst is your body’s way of trying to balance out your sugar levels, so listen to it.

6. You’re Constantly Hungry (Even After Eating)

Sugar messes with the hunger hormone ghrelin, tricking your brain into thinking you need more food—even if you just ate. If you find yourself endlessly snacking during holiday movie marathons, your sugar intake might be to blame.

7. Your Heart’s Racing

Consuming too much sugar can spike your blood pressure and heart rate, which is not ideal when you’re trying to chill out and enjoy the season. If you’re feeling those “butterflies in your chest” for no reason, it might be worth reconsidering that third slice of pie.

8. You’re Forgetting Things

It’s not just the holiday hustle that’s making you scatterbrained—excess sugar might also be messing with your memory. Studies suggest that a high-sugar diet can impair cognitive function, leaving you feeling foggy and forgetful. If you’re misplacing your car keys for the third time today, sugar overload might be a factor.

Here’s your reminder for the holidays: balance is key! Enjoy your favorite treats, but balance them with whole, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. Also, for the love of God, stay hydrated by drinking actually water, don’t just rely on coffee, sodas, eggnog, etc., to get by. Your body will thank you!