Seven best ways to survive Christmas if you’re dieting – some myths busted

It’s an annual holiday tradition: food guilt. Caught between the desire to enjoy holiday favourites and the fear of putting on extra pounds, people bond over the sharing of time-worn tips such as “eat before you go to a party” or “try to fill up on vegetables before you hit the rest of the buffet” – joyless clichés that really do not work. Then, on January 2, they join a gym.

As a dietitian and a certified intuitive-eating counsellor, I find that my clients often fall into one of two extremes: plunging into overindulgence or retreating into deprivation.

But I know there’s a better way to handle the endless parties, biscuit-baking colleagues, eggnog lattes and family members pushing second (or third) helpings.

My alternatives? Calling a timeout on obsessing over how many carbs or calories are “allowed” or labelling foods as “good” or “bad,” in favour of a more meaningful approach – focusing on how they want to feel at the end of the meal, party or evening. The result? Feeling happier, healthier and more at peace. Here’s how to try it yourself.

1. Make conscious choices