Brownies and Zucchini

Last year around this time I wrote a post about strategies that I use to get through holiday events and parties as a picky eater. I had intended to write another holiday food related post, but (as many things that I think I might have time to do during the holiday season) it didn’t end up getting written.  Earlier this week, that post was featured in a Holiday Portion Control round-up on DailyBuzz Healthy Living (Thanks DailyBuzz!)  and I was reminded that I should really get on that second post. You know, a year later. 🙂

So, here is part 2! (you can find part 1 here.)

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So, I told you some of my strategies for making sure that there is something I like at Holiday gatherings.  Now, I will talk about some strategies that I use to make sure that I don’t overdo it on the foods that I love, but my body may not love.

1. Don’t deprive yourself.  Don’t be afraid to eat your favorites – even if they may be “bad” for you.  I am not a fan of the thinking that there are “good” and “bad” foods.  Sure, there may be foods that my body reacts more positively to than others, but for me, labeling them gives foods a certain stigma that can seriously affect how I feel when and after I eat them.  I know the phrase is way overused, but I definitely believe that very few things should be off limits as long as they are eaten in moderation.  So, when I see some of my favorite foods on the table at a family gathering, like my Mom’s chocolate chip cookies, or a delicious egg dish, I don’t hesitate to have some.  But the word “some” is key.  One chocolate chip cookie will be delicious and probably not do much damage, six chocolate chip cookies in a sitting would be a different story.  If I tried to tell myself that I shouldn’t have any it pretty much always backfires.  Yes, on occasion I have the willpower to just skip the cookies, but more often than not it ends up with me eating many more than I normally would when I finally give in and eat them.  I find that if I just eat them when I want them, my taste for cookies is satisfied right away and it is much easier for me to say no to more later.
2. Don’t sit in the danger zone.  If there is a food (or foods) that you know will be hard for you to moderate, have some (see #1) and then move away from it.  I realize this is slightly difficult when you are seated at a table (I swear, the bread basket always lands next to me!) but if it is buffet style, or just plates of food to snack on, you can find a place to sit or stand that isn’t right next to the dessert plate, or the chips and dip, or whatever it may be that is hard for you to stop eating.
   
3. Enjoy yourself.  Smile.  Converse with people.  I know this is easier said than done in some situations, but if you are enjoying yourself and the company you are much less likely to make poor food decisions!  (although, I guess if you are enjoying yourself too much, you might not make the best decisions either)   It is pretty hard to have a conversation with someone when you are constantly eating handfuls of trail mix.  Also, if I am in a good mood, I feel like I am less likely to think I “need” those four extra gingerbread men.
4. Remember that tomorrow is a new day.  So you ate too many brownies, or maybe had more than your share of chips and salsa, don’t freak out.  Or if you really need to be upset about it, give yourself five minutes to freak out and then be done.  One day of bad decisions will not ruin you, there will always be tomorrow to start again and get back on the right path.  Keep a positive attitude, realize what you did wrong, and think of ways you can change your habits for the next time.  Everyone has bad days, but you don’t need to let one bad day ruin your week or month!

Anyone else have tips for avoiding overindulgence during the holidays?

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Filed under: Words Tagged: | Eating, food, Holidays, Tips