Good morning everyone, and happy Easter to those who celebrate!
Holidays often bring families together-though that might look a little different this year-and with that, they bring joy, happiness, love, and many other positive emotions. But for those who are “watching what they eat” or on a “diet”, holidays and family gatherings can also bring feelings of anxiety, stress, shame, and guilt. Don’t worry though, that’s normal. Whether you are hunting for eggs, preparing your kids’ Easter baskets, or staring at the brunch table full of food, you’ve likely already made a mental list of foods that are “safe” to eat and foods that are “off-limits”. To help you with your list, I’ve created my own list to share with you of foods that are completely “off-limits” this holiday.
No foods are off-limits
There you go, that’s my list. There’s no such thing as “bad” and “good” foods, and it’s dangerous if we allow ourselves to look at foods this way. By labeling something “off-limits”, we’re making that thing seem more appealing. Ever heard the saying “you always want what you can’t have”? That applies here. Seeing certain foods or food groups as off limits makes them even more appealing to us, which may cause us to binge eat foods that we normally don’t allow in our diets. This binging with inevitably lead to those negative feelings I mentioned earlier.
I know what you’re thinking. If no foods are “off-limits”, how do you stay accountable and on track while at this holiday gathering? That’s where the practice of mindful eating comes in. Mindful eating means that you are present throughout the entire action of eating. Being present while eating forces you to be aware of what you are choosing to eat, how your body feels while you are eating, and when your body is sending you the cues that it is full. Instead of chowing down on the entire bowl of jelly beans while engaging in conversation just because it is on the table in front of you, eating mindfully means that you are present while picking up the jelly beans, putting them in your mouth, chewing them, swallowing them, and noticing what it feels like once you have finished eating them. Slowing down and being present through the entire act of eating will not only allow you to enjoy every single bite of those Reese’s Eggs, but it will allow you to listen to your physiological cues and stop eating when your body is telling you that you’re full. This makes it less likely that you will binge on all the deliciousness that is Easter brunch and more likely to enjoy everything in moderation, without feeling shame or guilt later this evening. So, enjoy the foods, enjoy your loved ones, and remember that all foods are “safe” to eat mindfully. Not only today, but everyday.
What meals are you enjoying today? Share with me a picture of your favorite Easter eats!