Beacon dietitians offer smart strategies to help us navigate our holiday food choices

Skipping meals before the big holiday feast might seem logical, but two Beacon nutrition experts say this common practice can actually backfire.

“The feeling of restriction or that you shouldn’t eat something is likely going to backfire when you’ve been thinking about it for the last three days,” says Kate Glick, Elkhart General Hospital registered dietitian.

Instead, eat well-balanced meals on schedule. “By the time you get to the main event, you’re not tempted to overeat because you’ve been satisfied all day long,” says EGH registered dietitian Anouk Shelton.

Both dietitians emphasize focusing on overall wellness rather than weight loss during the holidays.

“It’s less about the number on the scale and more about what health looks like for you,” Glick says. This might mean maintaining regular exercise, managing blood sugar, or incorporating fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

They also stress avoiding food-related judgment, particularly around children.

“When we’re together with family, we shouldn’t start labeling ‘good foods’ or ‘bad foods’ or say things like, ‘I’m being good today’ or ‘I’m being bad,'” Anouk says. “These are narratives to avoid to have a healthy balanced notion of food especially for younger ears.”

And it is never appropriate to comment on what someone else is eating or comment on someone else’s body or weight. Instead, the dietitians encourage listeners to simply enjoy time with loved ones and celebrate without guilt.

“Let’s enjoy this time together with the people and the foods we enjoy,” Glick says.

The dietitians share more strategies to help us navigate our food choices during the holidays, including:

• Rethinking holiday weight goals
• Focusing on our overall health
• Savoring holiday treats guilt-free