myFM: Healthy holidays

The countdown is on to some down time, family time, and eat-all-the-things time. How on earth can you manage not feeling deprived of making the most of the eggnog season, the traditional baking, grandma's meatballs and feeling like you have to help out with leftovers? 

Think ahead to years gone by when you’ve felt awful come the new year. What’s the old axiom? A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. Not that it’s a literal situation, but what it means is that while it tastes good in the moment, you know that those extra calories are going to store in your body and not in a healthy way. 

What can you do? Moderation is the key here. If you have what’s called the “Cookie Jar” gene that we talked about in episode 41 of EAT THIS with Lianne, then you’re someone who can’t just eat one. You are more likely to eat the whole cookie jar. For you, don’t over buy or overmake treats because even with the best of intentions, you’re going to eat all the things. 

If you can do moderation, then max out here. 

Top tips: 

• Chew, chew, chew. Focus on chewing your food until it’s puree. Be present as you put a forkful in your mouth and know that when you swallow, you’ve given your jaw a workout and the enzymes in your mouth have started the digestion process. 
• Eat and wait. While you’re starving in the moment, your food has to digest enough to send a messenger to your brain, saying that you’re full. 
• Have a glass of water before you sit down to eat. Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger. Drink first and see just how starving you are after. 
• Love eggnog? Try a plant based version that has less fat and calories. 
• Sucker for granny’s shortbread? Decide how many you’re going to eat before you plate them up. Then cut yourself off. 

Whatever it is, whatever you’re not able to have any will power around, go for it. Then balance out what you’ve maxed out on with a much healthier choice at the next opportunity. 

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