6 tips for mindful holiday eating

When I ask my clients what drives their food choices, they often say taste. The funny thing is, we often are in such a hurry that we eat mindlessly, forgetting to taste our food.

When we truly savor a few bites of ice cream (or Thanksgiving pie, or Christmas pudding, or whatever your favorite is) it can be very satisfying.

Keeping this in mind, you might ask yourself a few questions:

Is it nourishing to have a dessert every day just because it is the holiday season? If you find yourself saying no, set boundaries that still allow foods that you love and your overall intentions to eat well.

What are the holidays all about for you? What are you looking forward to? What is there to be grateful for? Time spent with friends? A fun, social gathering? Tradition? You may find the food - though important - is not really the biggest thing for you.

How can a plan help you navigate your food triggers? I like to go to parties armed with a delicious spread such as my smoked butternut squash hummus or an olive tapenade, plus a colorful assortment of raw and lightly blanched vegetables for dipping.

How can you most enjoy your favorite foods? Give yourself full permission to enjoy a few bites of the foods that you love and make sure that you remember to savor each bite. No guilt allowed.

How will overindulging make you feel? If your answer is shame and guilt that can ruin an otherwise good time, remember that there is far more to the holidays than the food.

What about giving thanks? Food gratitude is an important concept that I share with my clients. When we stop to consider where our food comes from, the hardworking hands that produce it, and how nourishing foods are for your body, we feel more inspired to eat clean, whole foods. Embrace the flavor and -giving properties of cinnamon on roasted apples or rosemary and oregano tossed with root vegetables. Eating well is a form of self-love and self-respect. Give thanks - it's that perfect time of year to do so.