Three quarters of Americans say that, around the holidays more than any other time of year, their eyes are bigger than their stomachs. And this year that might be a bigger problem than usual, as 64% have also experienced an increase in digestive upsets since the beginning of the pandemic. A new survey of 2,000 Americans, who experience some form of digestive discomfort, reveals that the average person after eating feels uncomfortable at least three times per week.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents say they consume foods that cause them discomfort at least a few times per month, and a full 28% admit to consuming them weekly. Moreover, 66% say the possibility of a flare-up due to food triggers makes them dread eating meals they haven’t prepared themselves. Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the heartburn medicine Acidil, the survey also dug deeper into why respondents voluntarily eat foods that irritate them.

When it came to why respondents eat foods that cause them digestive distress, about a third say it’s because their “trigger foods” are inconsistent. Trigger foods are also some of the favorite foods of an unlucky 23% of respondents. Sixteen percent, moreover, cite peer pressure as the reason they continue to consume things that may upset them -- saying they eat trigger foods when everyone else is eating that food at a gathering of family or friends. A valiant 78% try their best to avoid trigger foods regularly, but admit that sometimes the temptation to indulge is just too great.

TOP DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT TRIGGER FOODS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Pizza (37%)
Candy (29%)
Mac & Cheese (29%)
Creamy soups (29%)
Potatoes (28%)
Spicy Foods (27%)
Beer/Wine (26%)
Cookies (25%)
Cocktails (22%)
Chocolate (21%)
Carbonated drinks (17%)
Fried Foods (17%)
Milk or dairy products (16%)
Coffee (14%)
Eggnog (13%)

TOP CAUSES OF INCREASED DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT SINCE COVID-19
Eating more in general (56%)
More frequently eating at odd times (49%)
Eating more trigger foods (49%)
Pandemic-related stress (46%)
Holiday stress (24%)