How to Eat in Moderation this Christmas

Between family get-togethers, drinks with friends, and the office holiday party, do you find your healthy eating habits falling apart each December?

You’re not alone. 

Overeating is a common holiday problem, one that can lead to low energy levels, heartburn, weight gain, difficulty sleeping and more. 

So how do you stay on track for your wellness goals? (Other than maintaining your fitness routine.) ‍

Simply restricting what you eat won’t work because it leads to feelings of deprivation and anxiety that often contributes to the problem of overeating. Instead, follow these suggestions to help you eat in moderation and to more fully enjoy all of the tastes this season has to offer. 

‍

‍

Don’t skip meals

Skipping meals might seem to make sense; if you “conserve” calories earlier in the day, you can overindulge later, right? Well, not exactly.

When we skip meals, it tricks our brain into thinking that food is scarce which leads to overeating at the next opportunity. It also lowers your metabolism making it harder to burn calories, as well as your blood sugar making it difficult to concentrate. 

Instead, eat at regular intervals during the day and try to make most of your meals healthy and nutrient-dense.

‍

Practice Mindful Eating

When it’s time to sit down for that big holiday dinner, approach your plate with a mindfully. 

According to Harvard Health, “mindful eating means being fully attentive to your food” and can combat the mindless eating habits that often contribute to overeating and obesity.¹

Practicing mindful eating during the holidays will not only help you to make healthier choices when it comes to food, but will also help you more fully enjoy everything on your plate.  

To practice mindful eating:

-Eat slowly, savor the flavors, and stop when you feel full.

-Eat with others and at designated times. (No sneaking bites of the Christmas dinner until it’s time to eat). 

-Do not eat while multitasking. 

-Eat when you feel hungry, not as a response to a negative feeling like stress or anxiety. ‍

‍

Banish the guilt‍

The key for eating this holiday season is moderation. You can enjoy all the delicious smells and tastes the season has to offer. You can celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation, of God becoming man, with the most human of gifts: food. 

But you cannot approach the table freely with an unhealthy mindset. 

Avoid using words such as 'cheat meal' to describe your holiday eating habits. Guilt is not empowering; it doesn’t motivate you to stick to your goals. 

Feelings of guilt and shame around food can perpetuate unhealthy eating habits like overeating. Like anything off-limited, “forbidden” foods often become more exciting then before.

Fostering a balanced mindset when it comes to food will encourage a more balanced approach to eating especially during this Christmas season.