The holiday season is here! And when it comes to the holidays, eating is a big part of that holiday spirit. It’s a time when you enjoy those special holiday foods. It’s also going to those holiday parties, receiving gift baskets full of tasty treats, baking cookies with the kids, and sipping eggnog after a long day of shopping.

Eating well is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures and the holidays certainly provide us with lots of opportunities for eating. We also know that a true healthful eating style is a delicious balance of variety and moderation. So when it comes to eating during the holidays, or any time for that matter, here are some guidelines to help insure your experiences are pleasurable—not laden with guilt— while still honoring your health:

Be aware of strong emotions during this time of year: sadness, loneliness, anger, joy, etc. These emotions may surface at social or family gatherings and lead to overeating. If you feel extremely sad or depressed during the holidays, you might consider talking to your health care provider or mental health professional.

Be aware of unconscious eating. This type of eating generally occurs while talking with someone as you nibble on appetizers, cookies, etc. Try to eat between, rather than during conversations.

Remember that alcoholic and other drinks can contain calories and add to your fullness. Alcohol can also stimulate your appetite and may impair your judgment regarding fullness levels, too.

	Don’t deprive yourself, on a regular basis, of high-calorie foods that you enjoy. Otherwise you will find yourself overeating when exposed to holiday foods.
	Make sure you are physically hungry before you eat. Sometimes you find yourself eating just because everyone around you is eating or because you are surrounded by lots of “goodies.” Before you take that first bite, check in with your stomach to see if you are truly hungry.
	As you reach for food, ask yourself, “Is this really what I want to eat right now?” Eat what you truly desire rather than just the habitual things (like sweets, for example). You’ll discover that you’ll feel more satisfied and less obsessed with food later on.
	Don’t skip meals in anticipation of holiday parties. You’ll find yourself overly hungry and more likely to overeat.
	Be extra careful about not passing the point of “comfortable fullness” when eating during the holidays. Check in with your stomach several times during eating so you can avoid that “stuffed” feeling.
	Savor your favorite holiday treats. You can start by sitting down and getting comfortable—not gobbling them down while running the vacuum sweeper. Eat slowly, so you are fully conscious of the aroma, flavor and texture of these special foods.
	Learn how to say “no, thanks” to friends or family who encourage you to eat more. Keep in mind that you are NEVER obligated to eat. You will need to decide if your needs to avoid overeating are more important than those of the person presenting the food.
	Continue to be physically active every day. It’s easy to get caught up in all the holiday activities that you don’t take time for a walk or stretching out those muscles and joints. Your body deserves and needs to move every day. And if you’re find the holidays are adding to your stress level, remember that physical activity is a great stress reliever and mood enhancer too!

Above all, remember that the true meaning of the holidays is about celebrating the spirit of the season and enjoying the company of family and friends.