Savor the holidays: eat without feeling guilty

Turkey, meatball stew, tourtière: the holiday season is a time to gather around these emblematic dishes. For some, this festive period is also synonymous with worry about weight and appearance.

According to the non-profit organization ÉquiLibre, 42% of Quebecers are anxious or stressed because of their weight.

The latter seem particularly vulnerable to diet culture in January: a Léger survey reveals that 51% of respondents want to lose more weight after the holiday period.

So, how can you fully enjoy the festivities while combining pleasure and balance, without guilt or stress?

Christmas meals

We simply shouldn't engage in self-justifying behavior. […] in relation to our dietexplains Lise-Andrée Massé, nutritionist responsible for education and prevention for OR, passing through the show First the info Monday.

We have the right to eat what we want, she maintains. I say all the time that guilt has no place with eating.

We shouldn't punish ourselves because we ate a second plate.

It's a festive time, it's just normal to eat a little more when it's the holiday season.

So if someone at the table makes a comment about how many calories the meatballs have or how much food is on your plate, remember that you don't have to justify it, she says.

To maintain a healthy relationship with food, it is essential to avoid categorizing what we eat between good and badbecause several other factors must be taken into account.

Enjoy the moment, savor every bite, and leave the guilt aside.

Keep your comments about weight and appearance

Comments about the weight or appearance of loved ones, even if made with good intentions, this is really to be avoidedbelieves Lise-Andrée Massé.

Even a compliment about weight loss, for example, can unintentionally reinforce harmful eating behaviors or insecurities in the person concerned.

Praising someone for their weight loss creates positive reinforcement and implicitly sends the message that your worth depends on your appearanceshe laments.

Lise-Andrée Massé recalls that even if [l’on] gains weight during the holidays because [on a eu] pleasureyou shouldn't worry. It is important to remember that in January, we return to our routine and our lifestyle habits.

The weight will return. So we shouldn't hurt ourselves by saying we should be careful during holiday meals.

We must remember: this time of year is above all intended to spending quality time with our family and eating what we wantexplains Lise-Andrée Massé.

So, after your Christmas meal, if you feel like it, let yourself be tempted by a piece of Yule log, cream sugar or a gingerbread cookie to savor this moment even more with your close ones.

Link to resources: