Dreading the effects of the festive and feasting season on your health? You don’t have to. Establish healthy eating habits and maintain them through the holiday period.
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We’re still in October, but we’re sure you’re ready to tackle the last few months of the year so you can properly usher in the festive season. You might be looking forward to the feasts, the parties, the holiday spirit. But with all that, our eating habits can quickly get out of control, making our New Year’s resolutions of healthy eating feel more pressured. Preparing your body and mindset before the holiday rush can help you enjoy the season without guilt or restriction. Here’s how to start cultivating mindful and balanced eating habits now, so you don’t have to be afraid of the odd indulgent meal.
1. Start with mindful awareness
Become aware of your current eating patterns before changing them. Do you eat while you’re distracted? Do you skip meals and binge later? Taking note of your eating habits helps you make small but doable changes. For instance, make a point of sitting down while you have your meal, eat slowly, and pause before snacking.
2. Balance, don’t restrict
You don’t have to deprive yourself of festive treats, just focus on balance. Fill your plate with lots of veggies, lean proteins and whole grains, then enjoy your favourite desserts mindfully. Restricting can lead to overeating later, so allow space for both nourishment and pleasure.
3. Focus on hydration and nourishment
Sometimes you may think you’re hungry, but you’re actually just thirsty. Make water your go-to beverage throughout the day and try not to skip meals in anticipation of a feast. Remember that eating balanced meals also stabilises blood sugar levels, which can help you make better food choices.
4. Build consistency now
In the weeks leading up to the holidays, establish simple routines. They may include eating breakfast, prepping healthy snacks or limiting late-night eating. It’s much easier not to spiral during the festive rush when you already have healthy habits in place.
5. Show kindness to yourself
Healthy eating is never about perfection; otherwise it’s just a diet, which is restrictive and can be shame-inducing. Instead, make it about progress. If you overindulge, let it go, but return to balance at the next meal. The goal is enjoying the season while feeling energised, not deprived. Lastly, focus on the event rather than the food: a gathering with family and friends, a celebration of the season, and being grateful for making it through another year. You can maintain healthy habits while making beautiful memories.
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