Mindful eating through the holidays

As we are moving into the holidays when food and drinks are in abundance it is always good to reflect inward and get a handle on our eating patterns to avoid the holiday bulge.   There are many reasons for overeating but specifically during this time of year there are many social engagements, additional stress, disrupt in routine, FOOD TASTE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD, food is coming in abundance….like a genie in a bottle. 
Earlier, I mentioned looking inside…what does that really mean.  It means l listening to your body when you need to eat, not when you want to.  Mindful and intuitive eating is a way of eating that omits dieting and can help prevent getting into the cycle dieting and gorging in this time of year.  Think about a baby, they eat when they are hungry and they stop when they are full.  This seems like an easy concept, and it is when you are the baby, but in life it is not that easy.
Eating well and in the right amounts helps us feel good.  When we consistently listen to our internal cues of hunger and  get the idea of “Bad” food removed we can find success.  The internal dialogue of, “I deserve this” “It’s just a little cheat” or “Just one more bite” can slowly be hushed.   We know that food, good or bad is always available to us when we want, so we need to start selecting food that help us enjoy ourselves and become an expert in fueling our bodies.
During this time of year, we can follow these tips to help us continue on the path of mindful eating.
1) When given the choice in plate size always take the smaller plate.  You can only put on so much.
2) Drink water in between beverages and food plates to aid in digestion and processing alcohol and feeling full longer.   
3) After you chose your food, walk away from the table, find a place to sit and enjoy your plate. 
4) If you are the hostess working in the kitchen, the food hub, have a platter of veggies in the kitchen without the nasty ranch dressing.  Instead replace it with avocado dressing and when friends come in and out it gives them a healthy picky food option. 
​Remember when following mindful, intuitive eating give yourself permission to eat and stop the negative internal dialogue.  Eat food to provide good fuel and enjoy what you eat.  Lastly, listen to yourself.  Eat when you are hungry, don’t when you are not.  Mindful eating is creating is all about creating a healthy relationship with food.