If you’re on a journey to better your health you might have a nagging worry about eating at other people’s houses or eating with large groups during the holiday season.
Maybe you’re trying to make progress on some health goals.
Maybe you're eating a certain way to try to lose weight.
Maybe you need to be strict with your diet to avoid a flare-up of painful symptoms.
Whatever it may be if you’re enjoying and prioritizing healthy foods you might be wondering what you’re going to do about the holidays.
You might be asking yourself…
Will I be able to resist dessert?
Does Grandma use white sugar and soybean oil in staple Christmas dishes?
Will I look rude if I bring my own food?
If this is you, here are 3 tips for eating healthy during the holidays.
Don’t let splurging become the norm.
If you usually eat pretty good and you decide to treat yourself it can be easy to let the treating keep on going. This might look like,
“Well I really have eaten fantastically every other day, it’s ok If I have dessert after each meal for the 5 days that we’re on Christmas vacation.”
When you’re paying attention to what you normally eat or are on a more strict healing diet it can be tempting to feel like you’ve earned a whole week’s worth of splurging but if you fall into this trap you’ll walk away from the holidays feeling like a train wreck and wondering how to get back to your normal way of eating.
Instead, try tip #2
Be choosy about your splurging and make it a special event.
Popping m&m’s into your mouth for an hour while sitting around playing a board game with family is not a good way to savor, remember, and enjoy your occasional splurge on sugar. In the same way out of a whole lineup of desserts, the pumpkin pie from the grocery store is not the most unique.
Try to prioritize the unique and truly special foods. Such as Grandma’s famous pecan pie or your aunt’s mashed potatoes that you’ve had for every Thanksgiving since you were little. These things carry special meaning…m&m’s probably don’t.
Once you’ve selected your special food item, eat it calmly, chewing, and appreciating every bite. This means don’t shove it in your mouth while yelling at the TV during a football game.
Offer to bring something that you’re excited about eating.
If going to a relative's house for holiday celebrations means eating a ton of food you don’t feel good about, offer to bring some of your favorite dishes that you are excited to eat. Most likely your relatives will be happy to have your contribution to the meal and get to try a new dish.
In Summary
The holidays don’t have to mean eating a lot of food that will make you feel yucky. But they also don’t have to mean eating everyday bland food that doesn’t feel like a celebration. With some forethought and intentionality, you can celebrate with food and feel good.
I hope these tips give you some good food for thought (pun intended) as we head into the holiday season!
