Handling Holiday Eating and Stress: A Recipe for Success

By Michelle May, M.D.

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially when you are trying to manage your diabetes and holiday eating in the face of all the busy-ness, stress, and food! By undertanding the ingredients that set you up for overeating, you can create the perfect recipe for success and healthy, happy holidays!

Recipe for Overeating

Ingredients:
1 batch, bag, box, or large plate of food
2 tablespoons of deprivation
1 heaping teaspoon of guilt
Sprinkle of shame
Optional: fatigue, stress, resentment, loneliness, boredom

Directions:

1. Run yourself down physically by not sleeping, exercising, eating when you’re hungry, consuming nutritious foods, or checking your blood glucose. Alternatively, wear yourself out by working too hard, being all things to all people, and trying to make everything perfect.
2. Place emotions on medium-high. Cover and simmer; do not allow steam to escape.
3. When you crave something you love, remind yourself that it's bad, fattening, or high in carbs.
4. When your cravings grow stronger, tell yourself that you're bad for wanting bad food.
5. Wait until an influential person such as your grandmother or co-worker insists you eat that food anyway to please them. Alternatively, sneak the food when no one is watching.
6. Sit down in front of the T.V. or choose another activity to distract yourself while you eat.
7. Before eating, garnish the food with guilt. If it’s still enjoyable, stir in some shame to ensure that the food is completely ruined.
8. Eat as quickly as possible to avoid tasting or enjoying the food.
9. You're done when you feel sick and uncomfortable.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 until can't stand it anymore. Try the Recipe for Instinctive Eating.

Recipe for Healthy Eating

Ingredients:
1 or 2 servings of food you love
2 tablespoons of hunger
1 heaping teaspoon each of intention and attention
Sprinkle of trust
Optional: pleasure, enjoyment, celebration, tradition

Directions:

1. Care for yourself physically by getting adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
2. Create a self-care buffer zone by regularly nurturing your body, mind, heart, and spirit.
3. When you’re hungry, consider what you want, what you need, and what you have to eat before choosing food.
4. Decide how you want to feel when you're finished eating; serve yourself accordingly (or adjust the portion if someone else served you).
5. When the food you crave isn’t particularly healthful, omit all guilt and shame and include the desired food in your meal plan. Remind yourself that all foods fit when you practice balance, variety, and moderation.
6. Sit down to eat and minimize distractions.
7. Savor the appearance, aromas, textures, and flavors as you eat.
8. Eat slowly and mindfully for maximal enjoyment from every bite.
9. Stop when you feel content and energetic.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 for the remainder of your life.

Learn how from our new book: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes: A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Pre-diabetes or Diabetes (available 04/01/12). Happy, Healthy Holidays!

Comments

[Pauline Gillen]

Excellent advise for the Holiday Season. I love Eat what you love and love what you eat!!!! Merry Christmas!

[Becky Henry]

Great blog post Michelle! I love this. Thank you for such great tips on Mindful Eating For the Holidays.
Becky Henry
Hope Network