Intentional Choices for Holiday Eating
The holiday season is filled with an abundance of delicious treats and festive feasts.
Too often, we enter into a mindset of deprivation, telling ourselves we can’t have anything if we want to stay healthy and then splurging and over-indulging when faced with those delectable once-a-year goodies. The thing is, the anxiety is often unfounded. According to a 2015 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, people actually gain little to no weight between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, even when making no effort to control their weight.
Adopting a mindful approach to indulgence can let you savor the holiday flavors without compromising your health goals. Instead, avoid deprivation, savor each indulgence and foster a healthy relationship with food during the holidays.
Sarah Hays Coomer, a Mayo Clinic health coach, told Forbes Magazine, “Make a list of indulgences that you really love, that make you feel good and that you want more of. Make sure you have those in the pipeline throughout the holidays. If you build it in and you know it’s there and that you’re allowed to have it, then there’s not ‘I’ll eat now and have none tomorrow.’”
Focusing on intentional indulgences lets us make thoughtful choices about what and how much we consume. It’s important to shift our mindset from “all or nothing” to one of moderation and self-care.
POWER OF MINDFUL EATING
Mindful eating encourages us to engage all our senses and be fully present with our food. Instead of mindlessly devouring indulgent treats, take a moment to pause and appreciate each bite. When selecting what to indulge in, be discerning and choose your favorites —the foods that truly bring you joy.
Slow down and savor the flavors, textures and aromas. Pay attention to your body’s signals of satisfaction — trust your gut instinct, literally. This lets you better gauge when you are truly full and avoid overeating. Mindful eating lets us connect with our food, fostering a sense of gratitude and pleasure without guilt.
POWER OF CHOICE
During the holidays—and all year round—it’s important not to feel deprived. Restricting ourselves too much can lead to feelings of resentment and ultimately result in overindulgence. By consciously selecting our indulgences, we can strike a balance between enjoyment and maintaining our health goals.
Take the time to choose what you genuinely desire and let go of any guilt associated with those choices. Whether it’s one of Grandpa’s famous snickerdoodles or a festive holiday cocktail, allow yourself to savor the experience without judgment. By honoring our cravings in moderation, we can create a positive relationship with food and fully embrace the joy of the season.
Approach food with kindness and compassion, focusing on nourishing our bodies and nurturing our souls. Instead of fixating on calories or restrictions, shift the focus to the quality and enjoyment of our indulgences.
The holidays are about more than just food. They’re about cherished memories, shared laughter and creating lasting memories.