Using Intuitive Eating to Navigate the Holidays
It’s tough to enjoy the holidays when you’re stressing out about how many calories are in Grandma’s Christmas cookies. Or maybe you’re worrying about how far you have to run to burn off the treats at the holiday party. It doesn’t have to be this way! This season, let’s spread holiday cheer, not diet culture. Here are some tips for how to use intuitive eating (& intuitive exercise) to navigate the holiday season:
Nourish Yourself with Consistent Meals and Snacks
We know you’re busy this time of year with shopping, decorating and socializing. However, it’s still important to find time for regular meals and snacks.
Adequate nourishment will assure you have plenty of energy to power through any last minute wrapping. It will also prevent you from feeling “hangry” at the holiday party and can help you to be more in tune with your hunger/fullness cues. You might not always feel hungry when you are stressed or busy running errands. Remember that intuitive eating also means feeding yourself as an act of self care. Click here for more healthy tips for a hectic schedule!
Find the “Joy” in Joyful, Intuitive Movement
You can still find ways to move your body even if you can’t fit in your usual gym routine. Expand your view of exercise. Walking around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, ice skating, or dancing to your favorite Christmas songs while you decorate all count as movement!
Enjoy Your Favourite Festive Foods
You don’t have to put chickpeas in your Christmas cookies! Give yourself permission to eat and enjoy your favorite holiday treats. An important part of the holidays are often cultural and traditional foods and you deserve to enjoy them without guilt. If you struggle to enjoy foods without shame, check out our blog post on food guilt.
Set Boundaries
This time of year, spending time with friends and family may also mean having to deal with unnecessary body comments or diet talk. It’s absolutely okay set boundaries! Consider having some friendly conversation starters you can easily transition to. You could also check to see if the cook needs any help in the kitchen. If you feel comfortable, try sharing the awesome facts you’ve learned in your intuitive eating journey to help educate family and friends. Remember, you’re not the only one who will benefit from shifting the conversation from harmful diet messages.
Click here for more strategies to set boundaries around diet talk!
New Year ≠ New Diet
This January 1st, let’s resolve to leave restrictive & “all or nothing” food thoughts behind. Instead, resolve to honor your body with adequate nourishment, joyful movement, and a new year filled with enjoying all your favorite foods! For more guidance on entering the new year with a non-diet mindset, connect with our team of HAES dietitians HERE.
