The holiday season doesn’t just
bring traditions, family, and good food…
It also brings guilt, and lots of it.
While we may always be surrounded by messages promoting rapid weight
loss and eating clean, it seems as though we are bombarded even more so during
this joyous season. Magazines,
newspapers, and blogs are filled with tips and tricks to “stay healthy during
the holidays,” and don’t forget about the endless commercials for weight loss
programs come the end of December. We
are constantly reminded not to eat too much and overindulge which has,
inevitably, lead to unnecessary stress.
Guilt, according to Michelle May,
M.D., “steals your enjoyment when you’re eating what you were going to eat
anyway, and does not encourage sustainable behavior change.” She gives the following tips in a recent
Huffington Post article: recognize that guilt is counterproductive, question
the definition of “good” and “bad” foods, eat what you love fearlessly, don’t
pay penance for eating, love what you eat mindfully.
Nowadays, we give food too much
power. Having more than one holiday
celebration dinner or eating another one of your grandmother’s sugar cookies
should not send you in a downward spiral of guilt. We spend way too much time thinking about
eating the “healthy” foods and avoiding the “unhealthy” ones. The holidays are meant to be a joyful time
spent with loved ones, not about the quality or quantity of food eaten. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the most
wonderful time of the year.
Happy Holidays!
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