“While it’s important to be mindful of your goals and health, it’s equally crucial to enjoy the foods you love.”
Instead of feeling guilty or restricted, she suggests focusing on the foods that bring you the most joy and satisfaction. “This holiday season, focus on the foods that truly bring you pleasure and savor them mindfully,” she recommends.
By indulging in the foods you truly enjoy, you can avoid feeling deprived and prevent overeating on foods that might not bring you as much satisfaction.
7. Practice Mindful Eating
Mindful eating is a practice that involves paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. It involves being present in the moment and fully engaging with all of your senses while eating.
Shapiro suggests incorporating mindfulness into your holiday meals by:
- Eating slowly and savoring each bite
- Putting your fork down between bites
- Engaging in conversation with others at the table
- Listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues
By practicing mindful eating, you can better enjoy your holiday meals, prevent overeating, and stay in tune with your body’s needs.
In Conclusion
The holiday season is a time for celebration, joy, and delicious food. By following these dietitian-approved tips and tricks, you can enjoy your holiday foods mindfully while still staying true to your nutrition plan and weight goals.
Remember to identify your goals, establish habits to achieve them, find ways to stay consistent, enlist a friend for support, plan ahead, indulge in the foods you truly enjoy, and practice mindful eating. By incorporating these strategies into your holiday season, you can navigate the festivities with ease and maintain a healthy relationship with food.
So go ahead, savor those holiday treats, enjoy the company of loved ones, and embrace the magic of the season—all while prioritizing your health and well-being.
Happy holidays!
Navigating the holiday season can be a challenge, especially when it comes to balancing your goals with indulging in festive treats. To handle these moments with grace, it’s essential to take a balanced approach. One strategy is to follow the 80/20 rule, where you stick to your healthy eating plan 80 percent of the time and allow yourself some flexibility for the remaining 20 percent. When you do decide to indulge, make sure it’s worth it by choosing treats that truly satisfy you.
It’s crucial to ditch feelings of deprivation and shame when it comes to food during the holidays. Depriving yourself can lead to negative impacts on your mental health, while guilt is counterproductive. Instead, aim for a sense of balance that includes sustainable habits along with self-compassion and flexibility. Rather than viewing indulgent meals as failures, see them as enjoyable moments to be savored. Remember, occasional splurges during special occasions like Thanksgiving won’t derail your overall health goals if you maintain consistent healthy habits.
Maintaining your weight during the holiday season should be seen as a success in itself, with weight loss being a bonus. Give yourself the gift of grace this holiday season by enjoying the delicious foods that make this time of year so special. By adopting a balanced and mindful approach to eating, you can navigate the festive season while staying true to your health and wellness goals.