Nine ways to avoid food guilt this Christmas and feel good about yourself and your food choices
The holiday season is a time to focus on family and friends and not worry about that second helping, or one glass too many – a healthy lifestyle for the rest of the year is more important than a little overindulgence now
Every year around holiday time, there’s an influx of articles about how to stick to your healthy eating goals and resist temptation. You may read about how to say no to second helpings, stop gobbling up fat-laden appetisers or alternate alcoholic drinks with sparkling water to combat calories.
That advice is practical, but it focuses too much on what not to do. It could end up making you feel guilty if you break the rules and decide to, gasp, indulge and enjoy yourself.
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Here are nine things to tell yourself this year so you can enjoy family, friends and food.
1. I deserve to enjoy holiday meals without guilt. Yep, it’s just food. You deserve to take pleasure in it. Food is part of traditions and memories, so sample your favourite biscuits or mashed potatoes and take time to really enjoy every bite of a reasonable portion. Focus on how your food smells, looks and tastes without distractions. This is called mindful eating, and it’s about fully enjoying what you eat without regret or shame.
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2. What I eat every day matters most. Worry less about what you eat over the holidays and concentrate on what you eat year-round instead. If you have a healthy diet in general, a couple of days of celebratory food won’t be detrimental. If you don’t usually eat well, make that a goal in the new year. Remember: The holiday season is short-lived. In life, there will always be times when you can’t make your usual healthy choices – and that’s OK. Enjoy these special moments focusing on friends and family.