🎄 Mindful Eating During the Holidays
Don’t Skip Meals Skipping breakfast or lunch to “save room” usually backfires, making you hungrier and more likely to overeat at dinner. Eat balanced meals earlier in the day. Portion Smartly Fill half your plate with vegetables, then smaller portions of the heavier dishes (mac & cheese, stuffing, desserts). You can always go back for a little more instead of piling your plate high at once. Choose What You Love Skip the foods that don’t excite you and enjoy the ones you really crave. For example, if sweet potato pie is your favorite, have a slice and savor it instead of mindlessly nibbling on everything. Slow Down Eat mindfully—chew slowly, put your fork down between bites, and really taste your food. It helps you notice fullness cues. Hydrate Sometimes thirst feels like hunger. Drink plenty of water before and during meals. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate with water.
🎁 Coping with the “Aftermath”
Don’t beat yourself up if you overindulge—it happens! One meal (or even a few days) won’t ruin your health. Get back to balanced eating the next day. Add movement: go for a walk with family, play an active holiday game, or take the kids outside. Movement helps with digestion and energy. Plan lighter meals before/after big gatherings (soups, salads, lean proteins).
🌟 Longer-Term Mindset
Focus on connection, not just food: conversations, games, traditions, music. Give yourself permission to enjoy holiday favorites—it removes the guilt/binge cycle. Remember: Consistency matters more than perfection. A few holiday meals won’t undo your progress if you keep balanced habits most of the time.
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