6 tell-tale physical signs of overeating, according to a dietitian — from drowsiness to acid reflux

Overeating can be uncomfortable in the short term, and more disruptive over time if it's a habit.Bundit Binsuk / EyeEm / Getty Images

• Eating too much on a regular basis can cause side effects both long- and short-term.
• Digestive stress can interfere with sleep and exercise, and cause unpleasant symptoms like heartburn.

Part of a healthy diet is deciding not just what to eat, but how much, according to Bonnie Taub-Dix, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of "Read It Before You Eat It — Taking You from Label to Table."

Eating more than your digestive system can handle, and more than you need for daily energy, can have side effects. beyond just weight, although you can put on pounds over time, she told Insider

It can also disrupt how you feel and your ability to keep up with your everyday routine, and you may not always be aware you're doing it.

"It's about being in touch with your sense of fullness," Taub-Dix said. "It sounds like it would be so obvious, but it isn't. A lot of times we're busy, doing simultaneous activities while we eat."

It may be time to slow down or opt for smaller portions at mealtimes if you're starting to notice discomfort or excessive fatigue after eating, or trouble with digestion, exercise, and sleep, she said.