I’m sure your news feed and email are flooding with tips and tricks on how to stay healthy during the holidays. Did you ever wonder what a dietitian does during the holidays? Surprisingly it may not be as different as you think. To me, the holidays are a time to do things you don’t get to do all the time and eat foods you don’t eat all of the time.
I don’t hesitate to enjoy those Christmas cookies made by my mom, but I also try to create balance and also enjoy the beautiful fruit and vegetable tray. If I’m helping with cooking for a holiday party or meal, I like to swap out ingredients in recipes for healthier alternatives and most of the time no one notices or they enjoy the dish just the same. I also try to practice mindful eating while enjoying all of those great dishes made by family and friends so I can really soak it all in.
Staying Present
I try to stay present while I’m in social situations and enjoying delicious foods. It is so easy to get caught up in conversation and lose track of how many chips and dip I’ve been eating. I think to myself, am I still enjoying this? If the answer is no, then I stop reaching for it. Also, this is a time where I get to see family and friends that I don’t get to see all year and I really want to soak in those moments and not be all wrapped up in what I’m eating.
Saying No
This time of year, there are treats EVERYWHERE. I too have become a victim of office holiday treats. I tell myself that it’s okay to say no to the donuts or to the cookies someone has been trying to give you for the past three days. I try to pick one thing during the weeks leading up to Christmas that I really love and don’t have the opportunity to eat all of the time.
Bring on the Veggies
During big holiday meals I try to fill my plate full of vegetables first and then add other foods such as mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. I also like to compare my options with desserts and pick out one of my favorite things and really take the time to enjoy it instead of mindlessly grabbing a cookie each time I walk by the table.
Not Skipping Meals
No matter if a holiday meal is planned for the morning, early afternoon, or night time, I don’t skip meals. I will still eat a normal breakfast or lunch so I’m not starving by the time that meal rolls around and end up overindulging and not feeling so great afterwards.
Enjoy
This time of year can bring on many different anxieties around food and it doesn’t have to be like that. I too have been caught up in worrying and thinking about how much I’ve eaten at a holiday party and it can really create negative emotions about the party I am at rather than enjoying it. I take time to notice the people and the atmosphere around me. These are moments that I know I will treasure. I just try to not be so hard on myself and really try to savor all of the great moments and food around me while still being conscious of the choices I am making.