So, what if you do want to watch what you eat over Christmas? You've worked hard this year, you've managed to get your health to a stage where you like it, and you don't want to undo all your hard work by going overboard at Christmas dinner... BUT... you still want to enjoy the foods that you don't or wouldn't eat during the rest of the year... WITHOUT the guilt that can come afterward!
Food is something that we need to survive and to thrive, but it's also something that's there to be enjoyed. Just because we choose foods that aren't considered 'good' for us, doesn't mean they're not what we might need right now, and it doesn't mean we aren't good people. It's easy to feel judged for our decisions when we don't consider what we really need and want, especially at Christmas time.
We tend to categorise foods by whether they are 'good' or 'bad' for you. However, all foods have a different purpose.
For example, We would normally consider an apple to be healthier than a burger, but there are plenty of cases where the burger would be a better choice. A burger might be a better option if you haven't had a proper meal yet, and you need something to sustain you for a few hours before the next time you eat. In this type of situation, an apple wouldn't be filling enough and doesn't contain enough protein to sustain you till the next meal. There's also no reason why a burger can't be healthy: A homemade burger filled with veggies can be very nutritious!
Sometimes we need something light and refreshing, sometimes we need something that's going to sustain us through the day, and other times you'll need a hearty meal that warms the soul! Or, we could simply want to enjoy food that is absolutely delicious!
A trick I tell my clients is to change the language they use around their food choices. Using the words 'healthful' and 'indulgent', rather than 'good' or 'bad' is a more accurate way of describing the type of food you need - as either providing nutrients, or to be enjoyed - and can help you make food decisions you won't beat yourself up over later.
If you'd like to know how to make these decisions easily, I have a free downloadable PDF available here!
Happy eating!