Health

3 Ways to Practice Mindful Eating During the Holidays

12/30/2020

The Wellness Experience

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but don’t let the hustle and bustle distract you from making conscious food choices. Check out these tips for that healthier New Year’s Resolution-type feeling right in the middle of December.

Pace yourself with the slowest eater

Ever take a moment to assess how long it takes you to finish a snack or meal? Or to make it awkward, how many times you chew a bite before swallowing? It’s about time we start analyzing these details because many of us are shoveling rather than munching. And what’s nice about shifting our focus here is a two-fold pay-off: eating slowly signals our gut and brain we are getting full while it also establishes intention with how we eat to help us enjoy every bite more! Whether it be nibbling away at a snack, enjoying appetizers at a holiday party, or taking in a meal at a dine-in restaurant, try matching the time it takes for you to finish with the person taking the longest to eat. Even if it’s a loonnnggg time.
Start with one spoonful of your favs

YES. A dietitian is recommending you eat everything you want. However, it comes with a caveat: one serving size only. It can be tempting to overindulge on a holiday recipe that only makes an appearance once a year, but isn’t that what makes it special? We’re guessing it will be back on your plate again 365 days from now. Make a concerted effort this year to stick to just “one” of all those delicious starchy, sweet, and rich goodies for a full-on holiday eating experience minus the guilt.
Giveaway or compost leftovers

The holidays are loaded with food. And food that is often loaded with added sugar, refined grains, and unhealthy fat. Therefore, it would be wise to enjoy it but not feel pressured to finish it all nor have it glare back at you from the fridge or countertop for days. So, what to do with the extras from holiday baking, grandma’s Christmas Eve meal, or New Year’s hors d’oeuvres? Re-gift it or responsibly toss it. Neatly package up those extra helpings and hand it off to a friend, family member, or co-worker, and if that doesn’t work, get to composting. Luckily, we’ve made composting easy for you as 1-2-3-4 at Kroger: (https://www.kroger.com/asset/composting-infographic) and currently there are numerous composting drop-off sites and even curbside pick-up programs to breathe a second life into food scraps.