5 Tips to Handle Holiday Hankerings
Here they come! Holidays are on the way. To me, holidays are a time of family, tradition, and treats. The season is just not the same without a kitchen filled with cookies and the rich foods that I associate with home, history, and love.
As a dietitian, I know these foods are not the healthiest choice, however as a human, I want these food traditions to continue being a part of my life. What to do, what to do… Balance. Awareness. These are the concepts that help me keep family traditions alive in a healthy way. With these easy tips, a Healthy Culture holiday season can include your favorite foods. Happy holidays and happy seasonal eating!
- Don’t deny. Give yourself permission to include holiday food treats that have meaning to you. There may be some foods that you are fine with leaving off your plate. Great! Give those treats a pass. For most of us, there are a couple of foods that are the essence of the holidays. Maybe it’s grandma’s cookies, a serving of home-made mac ‘n’ cheese, or a slice of holiday roast. When you deny yourself those meaningful foods, it may trigger cravings, overeating other foods, increased stress, or negative emotions. So give yourself permission to indulge, but do so thoughtfully. Which leads us to…
- Portion control is your friend. Holiday sweets, beverages, and rich foods are delicious, but these treats are often low in nutrients and high in calories. Practice moderation. Take a small serving, and…
- Eat mindfully. When you eat a holiday treat, make it a complete experience. Don’t just shove that cookie in your mouth! Take your time with it. Look at your holiday treat. Smell it. Take a small bite. Notice how it feels in your mouth. Fully taste it. Chew slowly. Savor. Allow some time to enjoy the treat with all of your senses. Eating mindfully increases satisfaction so you are less likely to go for second helpings!
- Keep healthy food visible. You are more likely to eat what you see. Put the holiday treats in the pantry or fridge, and practice out of sight, out of mind! Keep healthy foods visible on your counter, in your pantry, and in your fridge. When you open the fridge and see a bowl of fresh fruit or ready to eat carrot and celery sticks, it reminds you to think about your food choices.
- Take care of you. Find time each day to de-stress. The more stress we feel, the more likely we are to impulse eat. Holidays are often busy and hectic. Even if you only can find 10 minutes a day, take those 10 minutes and go for a walk or do a quick meditation. Even taking a warm bath can help! Lowering your stress contributes to overall health and enjoyment of this holiday season. Taking care of yourself is the best holiday present you can receive!
