Avoiding pitfalls in the year's most tempting season
The holiday season is something many of us have been looking forward to all year.
Some of us may have looked toward it as a beacon of hope thinking “all will be back to normal by the holidays and we’ll be able to go forth in festive merriment!” I myself had visions of dressing up, of parties, of lavish spreads of food, boisterous houses full of laugher, cheer, and…company!
But alas…here we are, many of us with cancelled plans, open calendars, and no sparkling outfits to lay out, only a hamper of sweatpants to fold.
Many have been creative and have enjoyed making the most of the season despite the challenges…cozy snuggles with kiddos, Christmas pajamas, hot cocoa and homemade s’mores, maybe even some extra time in nature. Many have been able to keep the spirit high during these times.
But for others, it hasn’t been a walk in the park. For social beings, more solitude and confinement leads to turning to vices. Addictions like food, alcohol, and destructive behaviors.
I started this post with the intention of covering my strategies for avoiding the sugary temptations during the holidays, but I couldn’t possibly omit the elephant in the room that is 2020. While some embrace the solitude, others are anchored by traditions, gatherings, and contact that can’t be replaced by “Zoom parties.”
Yes, there are silver linings to this year. And I am a proponent of having gratitude and grace during all of life’s ups and downs. But to minimize the sadness so many are feeling over these milestones lost, would be to miss the root of the problem.
Addictions, food included, always have a deeper root. So before I delve into how to avoid sugary pitfalls, let me take a moment to say….what you are feeling is NORMAL. No matter what it is that you are feeling over this crazy year. Frustration? Heartache? Loneliness? Sadness over canceling milestone moments? And maybe there are areas of your life you actually like better now. And perhaps you feel guilt over being grateful for these things, because others are suffering. That’s okay too. Maybe each day is a new wash of emotions.
Whatever it is that you’re experiencing…take a moment to breathe into it. Close your eyes and know that having judgement over an emotion you’re feeling doesn’t help anyone, especially not yourself.
The reason I like focusing on food is this: our bodies and what we put into them are the main thing we have control over every day. Seemingly small decisions we make about what we put into (and on) our bodies can have major ripple effects. We eat better, we feel better, we think clearer, we have more energy, we discover our passions, we go out into the world and spread that high-vibing, aligned energy.
So, with that, here are my two steps to avoiding the sugary pitfalls that come with the holidays…
Up-level your sweets.
You may think it’s crazy for a health coach to be recommending buying sweets, but hear me out.
If there are no good options in the house, when that craving hits, we exhibit traits of an addict - searching cupboards, reaching for the chocolate chips from last years baking experiments, digging through our kids’ old halloween candy, calling our honey and asking them to grab ice cream or blizzards on the way home. We always get our sugar fix somehow. And when we’re desperate, we typically don’t make the best decisions.
So here’s what I recommend: next time you are at the grocery store, buy sweets intentionally. Take whatever your favorite cravings are and then up-level…if you normally reach for junky ice cream, instead look for an organic version from grass-fed cows, if possible. If you love Reese’s, look for Justin’s organic peanut butter cups (my personal fave!). If gummy bears are your thing, snag a bag that’s free of GMO corn syrup and synthetic food dye like “Red Dye 40.” Look for chocolates with high cacao content. Look at the ingredients more than you would the carb, sugar, or fat content.
If you are a baker, stock up on organic flour and sugar. It’s not perfect, but it won’t include ingredients that have been sprayed with glyphosate (which wreaks havoc on our gut). It’s worth the extra expense.
If you don’t understand an ingredient on a food label - look it up to be sure. We’re aiming for real foods here - think honey and maple syrup over fake sweeteners.
2. Load-up on the good stuff before you indulge.
The next time you have a mad-hankering for candy or pastries, do a little scan of your day. Ask yourself…
Did I drink enough water today? ✔️
Did I eat greens/veggies? ✔️
Did I get some healthy fats and/or clean protein? ✔️
Did I breathe some fresh air today, a little sunshine, and move my body? ✔️
Would a piece of fruit satiate my craving? ✔️
If you’ve done all of these things and are still jonesing for a treat, go ahead and indulge. Dish yourself out a reasonable portion and savor each bite!
And, lastly, you are not allowed to beat yourself up while you’re eating. These emotions lead to raised cortisol levels, which impact gut health, digestion, and ultimately cause weight gain. So take some deep breaths of appreciation and give thanks for the yumminess you’re about to encounter. It will signal to your body to get out of “fight and flight” mode and into “rest and digest.”
Bonus tip: Sweets are best enjoyed the afternoon - after lunch and before dinner.
Why? Two reasons.
First, you have a chance to load up on what your body really needs in the first portion of the day. Sometimes we starve ourselves of nutrients and then are surprised by our craving for sweets. Of course, our bodies are craving sweets! We are depleted and the quickest way to access calories to be used for energy is through SUGAR. A piece of fruit can serve the same purpose for that quick energy, and is a whole lot more beneficial.
The second reason I suggest the afternoon for sweets, is because it works better to support our body’s circadian rhythm. When we have sugar too close to bedtime, we spike a whole host of hormones that disrupt our sleep cycle. Getting your sugar fix in the afternoon allows our blood sugar to come down in time for that glorious beauty rest.
I hope you enjoyed these tips! If you are in need of one-on-one support, please reach out to schedule your complimentary consult call and see if working together might be beneficial for you and your family.
xo,
Rachel