Christmas Holidays and Festive Food.
Christmas holidays… A time for sparkly decorations, social gatherings, and—let’s be real—a whole lot of food and (alcoholic) drink. For many, this season is as much about connection and celebration as it is about navigating tricky feelings around eating and body image. If you’ve ever felt stressed about how to “do” the holidays without guilt or restriction, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into how you can approach the festive season with calm and compassion, and without the body shame and guilt.
Let’s face it: holiday schedules are a mess. It’s easy to skip meals when you’re rushing to wrap gifts or preparing for family dinners. But here’s the thing—skipping meals doesn’t do you any favours. In fact, it can leave you feeling ravenous, cranky, and way more likely to overdo it later (not that there’s anything wrong with eating a lot, but feeling out of control? Not so fun).
Eating 3 meals and 3 snacks a day isn’t about being rigid. It’s about giving your body consistent fuel so you’re energized and better able to enjoy the holiday magic (or survive the drama, either way it’s beneficial for you).
Eating breakfast is a game-changer. Don’t skip it and make sure to eat enough food so you feel satisfied and energized until your next meal or snack.
Christmas cookies, eggnog, roast dinners, pavlova—they’re meant to be enjoyed! Instead of labelling foods as “good” or “bad,” focus on how they make you feel. Let yourself enjoy the flavours and memories without guilt or “how do I burn this off” thoughts. Food is meant to be a source of joy, not stress. The more you allow yourself to enjoy food without restriction and guilt, the better your body will function and less likely you will be to binge.
Got a gap between meals? Keep easy snacks on hand, like nuts, cheese and crackers, or a banana (or whatever tasty leftovers are around). Regular snacking helps you stay fuelled and prevents that hangry feeling and telling auntie Karen to piss off.
“I’ll need to work this off tomorrow.” “Are you really going to eat that?” Ugh, can we not? Diet culture has a sneaky way of creeping into holiday conversations. Feel free to change the subject or set boundaries. A simple, “I’m focusing on enjoying the holidays without stressing about food” can work wonders. If that fails, remove yourself from the conversation and go pat a dog, play with the kids, help with the dishes, take a nap, bring a boardgame…you get the point.
Food is just one part of the holidays. There’s so much more to soak in—decorating the tree, watching cheesy holiday movies, catching up with loved ones. When you focus on the bigger picture, food becomes one delightful piece of the puzzle rather than the whole thing.
Take a moment to really savour what you’re eating. Notice the textures, flavours, and memories tied to the dish. Being present can make even the simplest bite feel special. And if you eat more than you intended? That’s okay. You’re human, and your body knows how to handle it.
Think about everything your body does for you: it carries you through holiday shopping marathons, lets you dance to “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” and processes all the delicious food you eat. That’s amazing. Instead of stressing about how your body looks, take a moment to appreciate all it does.
Nothing ruins a good meal like pants that dig in. Choose outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. You’ll enjoy yourself so much more when you’re not worrying about adjusting your waistband or any other part of your outfit. Or, if you’re like me, opt for baggy and daggy PJs.
The diet industry loves to prey on post-holiday guilt. Don’t buy into it. Your worth isn’t tied to your size or what you ate. Instead, set intentions for the new year that focus on joy, growth, and self-care—things that actually matter. And keep in mind that it’s very unlikely that 1 week of festive eating will result in weight gain.
The holidays can be a rollercoaster of emotions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious, that’s okay. Talk to someone you trust, write it out, or just take a few deep breaths to centre yourself. Don’t avoid feeling your feelings because you’ve got to feel it to heal it.
You don’t have to attend every event or say yes to everything. Protect your peace by doing what feels right for you. If your social battery is drained it’s okay to say no to social events. It’s just Christmas, not the apocalypse, and there will be plenty of time in the new year to catch up with everyone.
Between all the festivities, carve out time to recharge. Whether it’s reading by the pool, taking a walk, or watching your favourite TV show, downtime is essential for staying grounded (and surviving The Family).
Surviving the holidays isn’t about restricting yourself or making up for indulgences. It’s about showing up for yourself with kindness, eating regularly to support your well-being, and celebrating everything the season has to offer—food, connection, and good times. Remember, you’re allowed to enjoy this time without guilt. So, get a slice of Pavlova, pour yourself a chilled beverage, and soak it all in. You’ve got this!