This festive time of year offers many reasons to eat and drink: there is stress, there are parties, there are visitors – and there are stressful party visitors.
Indulging is part of the fun, but comfort food and Southern Comfort aren’t always comfortable in the morning.
This quick guide isn’t about guilt; it’s about avoiding hangovers and heartburn, which are as undesirable as a lump of coal in your stocking.
Follow a few of these tips through Christmas and you’ll ensure your pants still fit on New Year’s Day. If they don’t, oh well, that’s why we have New Year’s resolutions.
Escape
During times of stress, food can provide a sense of escape. Food can be a reward for accomplishing undesired tasks. Food can be a distraction from all the chaos going on around you.
When food is satiating your emotions rather than your hunger, follow these steps to lessen the impact of your emotions on your eating.
During this potentially stressful time of year, seek to feed your hunger and not your emotions.
Develop a game plan
Whether you’re the host or someone else is in charge, take a thoughtful approach to the temptations on the table. Here are tips to help you plot your strategy.
When you’re the host
Party time
Dinner is served
The bottom line
Be realistic around the holidays and allow for the occasional sweet or treat. Aim for weight maintenance rather than weight loss.
Try to take the long view and be an outcome thinker, making choices that support your desired outcomes.
If you enjoy the festivities in moderation, you can eat, drink and still be merry in the morning.
Claire Kjeld is a Registered Dietitian with MultiCare’s Center for Healthy Living.