As holiday meals begin to become a part of our lives, experts say people should practice consistency rather than irregularity.
Stephanie Dang, co-founder of Vancouver Dieticians, says many people’s underlying fear of food often flares up during the holidays.
She says she often sees people go all out on holiday foods in December and then feel the need to restrict their eating habits in January to compensate.
But the best thing to practice during any month of the year is regularity and self-compassion, Dunn says.
“Be really kind to yourself,” Dan said. “There’s no such thing as a perfect diet.”
She says the best way to practice self-love through food during the holidays is to stick to eating regularly and listen to your body.
“It’s (important) to know that we’ll have food tomorrow and the day after,” Dunn said.
Many of Dunn’s clients tell her they avoid holiday events for fear of overeating or unpleasant comments from others.
“There’s a lot of scary diet talk going around at holiday celebrations, including comments about other people’s bodies, and I don’t think that should ever happen.”
Commenting on someone’s appearance can put a lot of pressure on that person, especially during the holidays, Dunn says.
Dunn adds that being healthy isn’t just about restricting or eating less food. In fact, focusing on adding food is more sustainable than cutting anything out.
“Just making sure you’re fueling your body,” she said. “When you’re not eating enough, your body tells you to look for food.”
She advises people who subscribe to dietitian services to use them as a way to ensure they are doing the best they can to nourish their bodies.
“You don’t have to be an expert on everything,” she said. “It’s perfectly okay to ask for help.”
– With files from David Nadalini
