“On a Diet”  this holiday season?

The food of the holiday season isn’t just food.

For many people, holidays foods may also be memories, nostalgia, tradition, comfort, love, and sharing.

Adding guilt about what we “should” or “shouldn’t” eat or labeling these festive foods as “bad” isn’t necessarily a healthy approach to our relationship with food. Let’s just say from the outset that overdoing it, of course, is equally unhealthy.  The key here is moderation. Tips for the season:

1. Remember to eat sensibly throughout the holidays, same as every day. Your body needs fuel every day of the calendar.

2. If you are hosting a party, include some healthier options in the spread such as fresh fruit or veggies.

3. Don’t make yourself “earn” your food.   This approach can sound like:  “If I eat this mince pie, I’ll go for an extra run tomorrow.” or “I’ll skip breakfast all this week so I can eat dinner at the work night out.”

4. Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.”  The key to a healthy relationship with foods is moderation.

5. Avoid the other extreme:   overindulgence with abandon (with or without a promise to self to “be healthy in January”.) Besides the obvious indigestion, excess amounts of sugar, salt, and alcohol can cause problems, especially for people with certain health conditions or on certain medications.

6. Don’t comment on another adult’s food choices, regardless of whether you think they should eat less (“Is that your third mince pie?  How many of those have you eaten?”)  or eat more (“go on, have another! I made them because they are your favourites“).    While children may need guidance to limit the sweets before they get sick tummies, most adults neither need nor appreciate comments, no matter how well-intentioned, no matter how close the familial relationship.

7. Obvious but related point:  Avoid commenting on body shapes and sizes of friends and family this holiday season.

Emotional eating, stress eating, comfort eating are all real.  Holiday time can also be challenging for patients with eating disorders.  For more help on eating disorders, talk to your GP or check out the resources from Bodywhys.

Healthy Holidays is a virtual advent calendar focusing evidence-based ways to look after your physical and mental health this holiday seasons. It will be available every evening on social media and, as always, also on the Blog.