SURVIVING THE HOLIDAY EATING SEASON

This is probably going to sound a little contradictory, and quite frankly, it is. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, the 4^th of July, or any other holiday that revolves around food generally leads to overeating. This is not always the case, obviously, but many times it happens.

So, what do you do? Do you give up and go all in on all the things you know you probably shouldn’t be eating? Do you swing the opposite way and try to avoid all the less healthy options? Or do you look for that balance somewhere in the middle between healthiest and least healthy?

I feel like holiday meals are what you make of them, and with Thanksgiving only a couple of days away, these are a couple of tips and hints to make the holiday meal enjoyable without driving yourself crazy with guilt.

Give yourself some grace. 

Sweets and treats are going to be available more easily and you need to allow yourself to not feel terrible if you want to eat a piece of fudge. Giving yourself grace also means understanding your limits or splurges. Are you okay cutting back a little somewhere else (mashed potatoes) in order to make room for something else you really want (pumpkin pie)?

Try to eat as healthy as you can in the days leading up to a major meal/event. 

If you know you’re going to be at grandma’s house stuffing yourself silly on turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, try to eat as healthy as possible the few days prior – a salad and grilled chicken – and then eat healthy again after.

Use a smaller plate for automatically smaller portions. 

This way you can still get everything you want, it just instantly reduces the amount you can fit on the plate. And it may even help you decide which is more important to you – the green bean casserole or the broccoli and rice casserole?

Eat your favorites first. 

I always grew up “saving the best for last” and that usually leads to overeating. Instead, eat your favorite things first in SMALL portions, and then if you have room for anything else you can go back.

THERE WILL BE LEFTOVERS!!! 

I’m pretty sure every single Thanksgiving I have EVER been to there have been leftovers. If you don’t get something you specifically wanted during the meal because you got too full, take a small portion home with you. Your family and/or friends might actually INSIST on you taking things with you just to get it out of their house.

Bring something healthy. 

Some of the most enjoyed “dishes” I’ve brought to family Thanksgivings have been fruit trays, veggie trays, and vegetable sides.

Don’t get crazy with “Good” foods and “Bad” foods. 

Unless you have specific health conditions that require you to eat a certain way (diabetes, autoimmune disorder, Celiac, etc.) this is one day, and unless you go absolutely insane, you should be fine to eat foods you might not normally eat when you’re trying to be healthier – casseroles, gravy, desserts, etc.

However, I will say this – if “falling off the wagon” when it comes to your eating plan is going to send you into a spiral (binge eating out of control) then you absolutely should do what you need to in order to prevent the spiral or binge and protect your peace. And it’s okay to tell people that. “I will NOT be eating the pumpkin pie because it will lead me to eating the entire pie, plus the apple pie, too. I’m going to stick with my turkey, my green beans, my cranberries, and some of the salad.” And that’s the end of the discussion. 

Eating during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re working on your health and nutrition goals. Finding the balance that works for you is the best way to preserve your peace and enjoy your time with family and friends.

And if you would like to learn more about healthy eating through the holidays and how to make your health and nutrition goals work even in the face of holiday temptations, Book a FREE Consultation with me to see how Health and Nutrition Coaching can help.