How to reduce anxiety around food this silly season!
It’s finally the holidays!!!
A lot of people experience anxiety around Christmas. It is a time where we meet up with more people than usual, share meals with our families, drinks with friends and we press pause on our normal routine as we welcome a well deserved break. It can be a time where we are surrounded by food and as I always preach balance is key and we shouldn’t be scared to loosen the reins and indulge in a few more treats than usual.
If you feel like you may lose complete control or perhaps you are someone who likes routine but you still need to navigate all of the catchups that lets face it, are generally based around food and/or alcohol, Or maybe you have some goals at the moment that dont allow you to stray too far from your usual nutrition and exercise plans then below are some tips you can have a read over that could help make this time easier.
1) Protein first, when you are digging into all the delicious dishes, start by serving up your protein first, then add your portions of fibre (veggies, salad) and then everything else, Protein is the most satiating food, and will help you in not overeating. Aim for a balance between your nutrient dense and not so nutrient dense foods.
2) Go for some lower calorie alcoholic beverages like a vodka soda over higher calorie drinks, opt for lower calorie mixers that are sugar free and stay hydrated if drinking in the sun.
3) Incorporate some gentle exercise in your week. You may not be In the gym but you could start your day with a quick home workout or even opt for a 10 minute walk after a meal which is great for digestion.. you body may need that at the end of the day! or get out and experience what nature has to give.
4) Dont take home leftovers if you dont actually want them! ( I may be talking to myself here!) You will end up eating them just because they are there. Its ok to say no thank you to leftovers!
5) Give yourself an end date, it is easy for our holiday eating to get extended further and further out, next thing you know its march and you haven't been able to find your balance. This could be when your family have left, when you are back at work, or maybe life continues as normal for you from Boxing Day. You get to take control of this and it will be different for everybody.
6) Dont weigh yourself over this time if you feel like this could bring negative feelings. A lot of the time our weight will fluctuate due to food volume as well as excess salt/ dehydration etc leading people to assume they have suddenly gained excess fat which isn’t true. Give it a good couple of weeks of being back in a balanced routine before tracking.
7) At the end of the day, it’s all about connection and spending time with friends and family, and sharing experiences and enjoying all the dishes made with love. Know that it is just a short period of time before we are all back to our busy lives and love every second!
Merry Christmas everyone, Have an amazing break you totally deserve it!
much love
Sophie