by Elana Lycos, junior, dietetics major
It’s that time of year again. Time for cookies, pie, chocolate, candy canes and a whole lot more. In my opinion, one of the greatest things about the holiday season is the food! Let’s be real, it’s not any food; it’s gooey, frosted, tasty, delicious food that is packed with fat and sugar. Sounds amazing, right? I essentially live for sugar cookies around Christmas time, and the apple pie at Thanksgiving will forever be a personal weakness.
Unfortunately, for some, the holidays can be a nightmare. Those who are dieting may struggle because it’s tempting to disregard a strict eating plan and indulge in those sweet, savory dishes that only come around once a year. If you are one of those people, I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to have the occasional tasty treat. Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life, and forcing yourself not to eat something may do more harm than good. The best thing you can do is find a balance that works for your body. You can do this by including a variety of different food groups on your plate, such as vegetables, fruit, protein, whole grains, and a little bit of dairy. Then, at the end of the day, if you can’t stop eyeing that cookie, go ahead and indulge a little. Creating a balanced diet can help you establish a positive relationship with food, one where you will no longer label food as simply good or bad.
Establishing a positive relationship with food can be life changing because hunger drives many of our daily activities. If you’re hungry, then that is the only thing you will be able to focus on until your food needs are met. It can be easy to lose sight of what a “good diet” consists of versus refraining from certain types of food, or not eating altogether. Hear me out; not eating enough is as bad as eating foods that have little nutritional value, because either way, your nutritional needs are not being met.
So, what can be done? This year, you can try to make some new dishes that incorporate ingredients from the five main food groups previously mentioned. This will introduce new flavors to your pallet and may help you diversify your diet. Another thing you could do is change-up some of your old beloved dishes to healthier versions of themselves. For example, instead of putting marshmallows and brown sugar on sweet potatoes, you could try cooking them with some spices and skip all that sugar.
Are some of your holiday dishes too traditional or delicious to change-up? No problem! Balance the fruits, veggies, and whole grains, with a little scoop of those sugary sweet potatoes and you will be just fine (and probably pretty content). Practicing “mindful eating” can also have many benefits on your body and health. Mindful eating is the practice of listening to your body. For example, if your stomach is full, then you acknowledge that feeling and stop eating. Really focusing on how food affects your body is a good way to build on your relationship with it. You can find more information on mindful eating at eatright.org!