As the end of the year approaches, silly season is upon us as holiday festivities begin. Whether you are staying home with loved ones, going on a holiday, or spending time with distant relatives- there’s often one common and unavoidable aspect of this time of the year- FOOD. For some people, food doesn’t get a second glance, they are able to enjoy a variety of foods, enjoy a glass of wine, and relax with their loved ones. For others, this change to their normal food routine can overshadow their ability to enjoy the holiday season.
Our relationship with food is often shaped by our previous experiences, societal and family pressure and history of dieting behaviours; this relationship often changes over time as our experiences also change. It can be helpful to reflect on your relationship with food prior to the holiday festivities or if you feel yourself getting anxious about eating, you can do this by asking yourself the following questions:
- Do I consume food from the 5 core food groups freely, and in amounts to nourish my body or do I have food rules that inhibit some of these foods?
1. Meat/alternatives,
2. Dairy/alternative,
3. Fruit,
4. Vegetables and
5. Grains/cereals - Do I consider some foods to be good, and other foods bad? Does this effect how I feel about these foods, how I feel before/after consuming them, and does this effect my eating for the rest of the day?
- Do I find it difficult to moderate how much food I eat on these special occasions, either over-eating or under-eating these foods?
- Do I find it difficult to find a balance between the foods I want to eat vs the foods I feel like I should eat?
- Does how I feel about food, or the way I eat inhibit my enjoyment of the day or take away from the pleasure of spending time with my family?
Any of these sounds familiar? It is important to acknowledge that our relationship with food can improve with the right support from Non-Diet Dietitian. The more we practise any of the above negative habits the more entrenched they become. If we deny ourselves something again and again, we end up craving more and more.
The foods we don’t bite can come back to bite us.
If you feel like food is starting to negatively impact your experiences, or find it difficult to say yes to social occasions, consider as we enter the new year and create our resolutions for 2021, if now is the time to work on improving your relationship with food.
Food is essential and is capable of enriching our lives, it doesn’t have to inhibit it.
We welcome you to connect with our team, to experience the difference of our unique and balanced approach to nutrition, health and wellbeing. Contact us on 0499008451 or [email protected].
