Thriving During The Holiday Season

When it comes to holiday foods, it doesn't matter that it is 2018.  Every year I look forward to the same list of favorites.  This past Sunday evening marked the first night of Hanukkah and the latkes tasted delicious!  Perfect, silver dollar sized potato goodness. I was so excited, I ate the first one too quickly but once I knew that they were just as yummy as I anticipated, I slowed down and enjoyed every bite.  I may have eaten three or four or was it five?  No matter, I think of myself as an intuitive eater. Earlier in the week I happened upon the Intuitive Eater's Holiday Bill Of Rights written by Evelyn Tribole. In fact, my dog-eared copy rests permanently in my calendar.  It's a wonderful reminder for all of us, even nutrition counselors on how to approach this celebratory time of year. Holidays are for enjoying time together and embracing the traditions that we have come to cherish and look forward to each year.  Skip the judgment, the pressures, dismiss the inner critic and give yourself permission to enjoy this magical time but first read this........  

Intuitive Eater’s Holiday Bill of Rights

Intuitive Eater’s Holiday Bill of Rights

by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD

What if peace on earth could begin at the dinner table? Imagine experiencing an inner peace, free from incessant worry about what to eat. It’s hard to enjoy the holidays when you are preoccupied with eating or worried about what to say to relatives who have an annual tradition of telling you what and how to eat.

Consider your Intuitive Eating Bill of Rights, as we enter the holiday season, to help you foster inner peace with food, mind and body.

1. You have the right to savor your meal, without cajoling or judgment, and without discussion of calories eaten or the amount of exercise needed to burn off said calories.

2. You have the right to enjoy second servings without apology.

3. You have the right to honor your fullness, even if that means saying “no thank you” to dessert or a second helping of food.

4. It is not your responsibility to make someone happy by overeating, even if it took hours to prepare a specialty holiday dish.

5. You have the right to say, “No thank you,” without explanation, when offered more food.

6. You have the right to stick to your original answer of “no”, even if you are asked multiple times. Just calmly and politely repeat “No, thank you, really.”

7. You have the right to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast.

Remember, no one, except for you, knows how you feel, both emotionally and physically. Only you can be the expert of your body, which requires inner attunement, rather than the external, well-meaning, suggestions from family. (Note this was originally posted in 2010).

Copyright © 2010 by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD Published at www.IntuitiveEating.org

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DISCLAIMER: The information is intended to inform readers and is not intended to replace specific advice from a health care professional.

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