PART 6: Break through emotional Eating

Avoiding all holiday food challenges is nearly impossible. Adjust your goals and your action plan for success during this time. Your goal may be to “maintain, don’t gain” during a holiday season.

Celebration days throughout the year are likely a small fraction of your overall year. Of course, stretching celebration days into weeks and months as a “holiday season” can pose challenges to your healthy goals. Even during traditional “holiday seasons,” stick with your healthy habits on nearly all days.

Healthy Holiday Strategies:

•  Have a healthy snack (fiber-rich carbohydrate + protein & a healthy fat) before going to the event.

•  Keep a drink in your hand (choose water most of the time) and sip throughout the event.

•  Avoid tables with appetizers and food. Talk with others away from where snacks are served.

•  Prioritize exercise. This will help you manage stress and keep your metabolism running hot.

•  Focus on people, not food. Visit friends and relatives. Take non-food gifts, such as flowers.

•  Modify meals to include less sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.

•  Create new traditions that are not planned around food. Do volunteer work or plan a hike/outdoor adventure with friends and family.

•  Use stress management tools in this guide.

•  Get enough quality sleep.