The holidays are quickly approaching, which means so are the many occasions for indulging in festive food and beverages. Even though our holiday celebrations may look pretty different this year, chances are those treats will still be part of the scenery. I’ve been hearing from a lot of people that since there is so much they can’t do this year, they’re going all-out on food. I feel that it’s really important to enjoy these moments and I don’t want you to feel guilty about your choices, which is why I wanted to share some of my favorite mindful eating for the holidays suggestions.

How To Practice Mindful Eating During The Holidays

• One of the first things I like to suggest is have a plan where you prioritize what you’ll enjoy eating so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the numerous food choices presented to you.
• Treat the holiday meal as you would any other meal. We’re conditioned to overeat during the holidays, but you should listen to your body and not feel obligated to try every side dish or dessert option available.
• Be mindful of your portion sizes. You can always go back for seconds, so don’t feel like you have to pile your dish high with food.

• Though it can be tempting to make room for your big meal by not eating during the day, don’t skip meals leading up to your holiday celebration. If you show up starving, it’s hard to be in touch with what you really want and you’re more likely to overeat.
• If you plan on consuming alcohol, make sure to hydrate well before drinking and to have a small snack (like a bowl of soup). Alcohol dehydrates us, so drinking water, decaf tea or decaf coffee is really helpful beforehand, and eating something small can help stabilize your blood sugar.
• Choose your moments and decide when to indulge. Tune into your wants and needs so that you can make the most of your holiday indulgences and not feel like you’re overly restrictive with yourself.
• If you find that you’ve overindulged, move on and don’t dwell on it. Remember that it’s just one day and one meal, and that those choices won’t derail the progress you’ve made prior.

I hope you find these tips helpful as you make the most of the holidays this year. If you want to hear more about these suggestions, make sure to listen to this podcast episode (LINK). 

After all we’ve been through in 2020, I feel it’s especially important to enjoy the special moments we have (knowing full well that the holidays this year will look very different for most of us). I also recognize that even under normal circumstances, the holidays can be stressful, so I want to share this post I wrote last year, where I talk about some of the tips and tricks I recommend to clients and use myself to help get through the holiday season!