Food is often viewed as a tool to manipulate the look of the body.
From a very young age, diet tricks, hacks and tips are introduced as a way to change the way that you look, to improve health or to gain control over eating. While some of these strategies can be helpful, many are unhealthy and sometimes hazardous to your health and well-being.
When food goes from being pleasurable and nourishing to serving as the primary method to manipulate body composition, you no longer have a healthy relationship with food. Your thoughts about food matter. Seeing food as an enemy can make it difficult for you to eat for fuel and nourishment.
In our diet-crazed society, constantly eating too little, eating too much and always eating with fear (or guilt) can cause serious mental and physical health issues. Undereating and a cycle of restriction and binging can have serious mental effects, especially when this style of eating becomes a way of life.
This is the time of the year when it's so easy to make unhealthy decisions with food. But I'm not talking about devouring a dozen pieces of Halloween candy in one sitting.
I'm talking about dieting. Although a diet may look appealing before the holiday season, a diet is nothing more than a temporary style of eating - it's rapid, extreme and it provides temporary results.
To improve your relationship with food and to eat more mindfully around the holidays, here are a few tips:
- Don't be locked down to one style of eating - Having freedom with your eating choices will keep you from the overindulging and binging that often occurs from food restriction.
- Have a plan - It sounds so simple but if you have a plan as to how you will navigate holiday parties and events, you will be more likely to feel in control over your food choices. It's encouraged to include some treats in your plan as this strategy teaches you how to indulge responsibly.
- Don't exclude, include - Trying to control/limit calories in order to save room for the off-limit, bad or calorie dense foods will always backfire. It has and it always will. When a holiday meal (or dessert) is in your near future, do not skip meals and snacks. Go into the meal with good intentions and stable blood sugar from eating regularly throughout the day.
- Think long term, not short - Short term thinking is why you may feel like a failure when you indulge. This is no way to live your life. Instead, think long term. Indulging responsibly a few times throughout the year will not compromise health. Far too many people become irrational around the holidays, assuming that the only way to survive the holidays (or to feel better after a big meal) is to diet/restrict.
Not a time for deprivation, restriction and dieting.
Mindful eating is a learned habit and once achieved, it makes it possible to enjoy the holiday season without guilt, anxiety or fear - while indulging in your favorite meals, treats and desserts.
To help heal the destructive relationship that you have with food and your body, check out more assignments like the one above in The Whole Athlete course.