The holidays are a time of joy and good cheer – right? Well, sort of.
Unfortunately, too many people (a.k.a. women) can’t seem to let go of the guilt they feel over indulging in all the season has to offer that it hardly seems worth it, but with a few precautionary measures, you can still indulge and feel good at the same time!
Try these tips to help fend off any holiday diet disaster:
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Eat like normal, all day long. Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’ll just save up all my calories and not eat until later” in anticipation of a big holiday meal? BAD IDEA! This is a surefire way to overeat. Your body is designed with an appetite for a reason, and it’s not to starve yourself! You can have everything you want, but when you pace yourself, moderation prevails, which is the key to any dieting strategy anyways. Personally, I’ve never understood this concept, because I’m someone who has to eat. I’d pass out if I tried to go without food for too long, but I’ve definitely known people who’ve done it. When you’re starving, your body works the opposite in how you'd think by shutting off fat burning and storing fat instead assuming you need to preserve what you have for an impending famine. Eating normally on any holiday prevents the inevitable “too-stuffed” feeling everyone gets when they don’t eat enough ahead of time!
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Don’t be a people pleaser, especially if you’re the cook. If you have any dietary restrictions such as gluten- or dairy-free, you can still adhere to your eating habits and no one has to know! I love surprising people with my GFDF recipes, but I wait to tell them until after they’ve tried them! The look of shock on their face is priceless too. The most hardened disbeliever is instantly transformed and realizes that everything I eat doesn’t in fact taste like cardboard or dirt!
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If you want to eat it, eat it. No one likes pretending they don’t really want a bite when they do, or trying to resist a craving for something decadent, because all they’re going to do in the end is give in anyways. Eggnog, peppermint and pumpkin usually only come around once a year, so I say go for it! I consider myself dairy-free, but I eat eggnog at Christmas. It’s my once-a-year indulgence that doesn’t make me feel anything but festive. (Note: Try this tip only if you're not allergic.)
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Bring your own diet-friendly food. If you’re the guest, bring a side dish or dessert that you know you can eat. Chances are, if you’re hungry, you’ll be forced to eat something that you otherwise wouldn’t if you’re not prepared. On the other hand, having something homemade is the best way to guarantee you’re covered come meal time – and is way less tempting!
- Treat a holiday like any other day. There’s so much hype over making things perfect for just one day, and while it’s time-honored and cherished, cut yourself some slack. Stress is the #1 reason why people overeat. To the contrary, no one will die if they don’t get their favorite soup or special Christmas cookie. Do your best but don’t kill yourself! If you have to, and something doesn’t get done, do it later and let them know. You can always make it later and send it to them if necessary. That would REALLY make it memorable!
While we all love the merriment the season brings, it’s not always merry despite our best efforts. Some of the best memories I have are of times when things were more unconventional than conventional. I love offbeat happenstance and quirks, but that's just me.
Either way, you’re sure to set yourself up for success if you take the pressure off by planning beforehand so that whatever you’re eating, you’re enjoying, and your memories are more memorable than guilt-laden!
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Love,
Angela
