Hey Reader,
“Keep the dip. It’ll last you about a week.”
I’d spent the evening chatting with a friend that we forgot to eat the specially made dip.
“But I’m taking the chips!”
I chuckled. The dip would last…3 days tops.
Maybe you’ve been there - certain foods feel like kryptonite and you can’t seem to get enough of.
Moreso, during the holidays with all the amazing sweet treats, side dishes and homemade goods.
Most people will go to extremes: eat nothing or eat it all without limits.
What if I told you the best approach is ebbing and living between the extremes? Almost like a sliding scale that will allow you to enjoy the good food and not feel guilty about it.
Let’s explore some simple tips you can apply this holiday season to help you stay on track without feeling restricted or overwhelmed.
Preparedness
Being prepared means you get to set a clear goal, get a confidence boost for knowing what you’re doing, and develop solutions to foreseeable challenges.
If you know you want to indulge, decide what that looks like.
Consider this:
Does that mean you’re okay with eating to the point you give yourself a stomach ache?
Is it sharing the goodies with someone so you can try more things?
Will you stop at one, two or three servings of food?
You can avoid that guilt trip you give yourself after a fun function, by having an idea of what you plan to do and feel more in control
Get Creative
As someone who enjoys protein heavy meals, I will usually gravitate towards dishes with meat. But that isn’t always an option at holiday gatherings (specially with family being vegan, vegetarian and pescetarian).
If you're conscious of wanting to get nutrient dense foods, you can get creative without making a scene.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Dish): Opting to bring a dish that you want is the ultimate hack. It’s a great way to know you will have exactly what you’re looking for & share it too.
Eat Before: This might not mean a full meal, but just enough for you to not arrive hangry. Now being selective with what you want to taste, instead of overfilling your plate because you’re so hungry.
You don’t have to overcomplicate it, just know that you have the option to get creative in eating foods that will energize you too.
Permission
Whatever you decide to do - own it. Some days you might eat a little more, other days you might try to “save” room for eating at a party, or you might choose to take some goodies home for later.
Take personal responsibility for the choices you’re about to make and be okay with that. This isn’t about slacking off or saying “fuck it” - rather bringing awareness to how you will approach this holiday season.
Ultimately, when you give permission to show up how you need to, it takes the pressure off being perfect.
Now go out there, be strategic and continue making strides in the direction of your goals.
-Milchu “Indulging” Perez
P.S - Not for you? Forward this to someone who might benefit from it! |