It’s the holidays! Eat, Indulge & don’t feel guilty about it!

With the holidays being around the corner, many of us might be feeling anxious or stressed about what do with all the food around. Do we practice portion control, or do we just eat whatever we feel like, or do we stick to our normal dieting rules?

Let’s face it, the holidays are centred around sharing food with friends and family, and let’s be logical, a few days of poor eating isn’t going to make you gain weight; so allowing yourself to indulge over some holidays favorites that you wouldn’t normally have on regular basis is the right thing to do!

There are so many dieting tips and healthy swaps around us during this time… but ever thought: what if we just ate and moved on instead?

If I must give you some “healthy eating tips” for the holidays, here are a few:

Give yourself unconditional permission to eat

Remember depriving or restricting yourself will only cause you to overeat or binge later down the line. Once you stop restricting, food will lose some of its importance and you will be able to enjoy it without necessarily feeling you need to over-eat or feel bad.

Don’t feel guilty about your food as it is counterproductive and can sometimes backfire

When you feel bad about indulging, you tend to eat too quickly or while you are distracted. Many of us eat fast because we feel we are doing something wrong. This not only causes you not to enjoy your food and feel unsatisfied but most often your craving will still be there.

Practice Mindful Eating, especially around your favourite dishes

Remember to ONLY eat when you are EATING. Sit down when you eat, chew your food slowly and engage you five senses. Keep in mind it takes twenty minutes to send a signal to your brain that you are full so when you do eat quickly you tend to miss the signal. Listen to your hunger and fullness cues, taste and savor your food.

Stay well hydrated, have enough fiber, vegetables and fruits and BE ACTIVE

Drink 2 Liters of water a day so you don’t mistaken thirst for hunger. Reduce sugary and caffeinated drinks and enjoy a glass of water between each glass of alcohol to rehydrate. When it comes to food, keep in mind the 5 food groups (protein, dairy, carbohydrates, fruits & veggies); increase your fiber intake and fill half your plate with veggies for your main meals. Remember to stay active whether it is going for walks, moving around the house or practicing 15 -20 minutes of an easy home workout.

Finally, guilt is an emotion that steals from you, it takes away the pleasure and enjoyment of not just food but the entire holiday season. Remember to be present, be kind to yourself and enjoy what matters most, being around family and friends!