Are you already nervous about the Holiday food indulgence?

Many are.
For those who have been working on their health or weight for a long time the Holiday season can easily become one that feels more like a struggle than a celebration.

Between the stress of shopping and getting everything ready for the Holidays and the gatherings and celebration parties, December easily becomes a month of "no control".

Getting together with family can be stressful too and sitting around the table can become a feeling struggle instead of joy.

All the triggers for overeating are right there in front of you this month pushing all your self-care buttons.

Photo: Torkil Stavdal : www.torkils.com
No Animals were hurt or harassed for this photo. Satya still loves the Holidays.

Adding Health.

Why not. We probably think of the Holidays as unhealthy foods and overindulgence in dishes we don't eat all year. True. The foods are unhealthy and we only get to eat this way about once a year. So do it. Don't fret it - that will just make you eat even more. You can enjoy an unhealthy meal and not throw it all away! And guess what, it might not have to be so unhealthy after all.

Don't skip Breakfast - skip Lunch

I know you will probably feel like you are too full and you should not eat all day, however - that is just going to set you up to overeating later on. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. Then just have a light breakfast - but have one. If you are having an evening dinner celebration or Holiday party. Rather skip lunch instead of breakfast.

Better yet - have a light lunch of maybe just a simple soup so you are not super hungry for dinner. But not eating all day and then off to a Holiday party is not going to help you making the better-for-you choices that you start out intending to make. Adjust through-out the day for what extra foods you might plan to eat later.

Add water.

Omit the diary and creme to all the little places that you would normally add it for taste and texture. Add water instead. Saute with water instead of more oil and add richness to dishes with herbs and mushroom broth instead of the dairy.

Make sure you are well hydrated. Dehydration can manifest as sweet cravings and false hunger signals.

Drink more water. Have a glass of water or two every time you have a glass of wine. Remember that every party you go to will have water available and you are there for the people not for the food and the wine after all...Right?

Do Greens.

Anywhere and everywhere.

Have a green juice drink for breakfast (those who know me know that it is not as strange as it sounds).

Have extra green veggie dishes with your meal (think broccoli, string beans, asparagus, brussels sprouts), and if you are going to a party, look for the raw veggie platter - it is normally close to the cheese.

Appetite Control.

All you need is love... well - not completely - you need a lot of fiber and complexity in your food. Think whole instead of processed and you are already half way there.

For the love. It is completely OK that you love all these foods that are not part of your regular food choices on a healthy path. Don't worry. You can still love them even if they don't fit you and your healthy lifestyle anymore. You might even discover that you don't feel good after eating them. That is OK too.

Eat less instead of hurting yourself thinking you can and should stuff yourself because this is a one time chance. There is a reason you have chosen not to eat these foods all the time.

So enjoy and indulge in the love of food and family
- no need to over-indulge.

A way to do that is to slow down and enjoy that you are indeed eating something you love so much. A few bites of something you love can fill the whole meal with satisfaction. If you allow yourself to love it that is. Often we eat in shame when we have decided it is not good for us and we eat it anyway. That instead is the path to overeating. Controlling your appetite is a mastery of your emotions.

It is not will-power, it is love-power!