The season of sugar is upon us. During the holidays, it seems like sweets are everywhere we look.
Work break rooms are cookie-filled minefields, family parties have entire rooms devoted to desserts, and every corner coffee shop is filled with sugar-laden caramel-frappe-peppermint-mocha concoctions.
If you’re not careful, the occasional indulgence can turn into a daily sugar-bomb habit. While it may be tempting to ride the sugar wave until spring, our bodies won't appreciate the constant barrage of extra sugar.
Instead of fearing the holiday-party dessert table, learn to navigate them mindfully. It is totally possible to enjoy your favorite treats without feeling completely out of control.
Try these simple mindset shifts from health educator Dr. Julie Gatza to shake the healthy diet-busting anxiety and instead enjoy the festive flavors of the holidays.
Lose the all-or-nothing approach to sweets
Complete avoidance of holiday desserts is not only challenging, but it can also be a harmful mindset that will set you up for overeating if you do succumb to cravings.
Instead, try hard to remember that each cookie, piece of pie, and a mug of hot cocoa is not the last time you will ever eat a sweet again. Realizing that you have ample opportunities to enjoy treats in the future can help to keep your cravings in check when you're hovering over a plate of pudding pie.
Be prepared for holiday health-bombs
If you know your holiday work dinner will involve indulgent drinks and desserts, plan for healthier meals in the days leading up to and after the event. Planning ahead to stay on track with your health habits is key during the holiday season and can also allow wiggle room to delight in desserts without feeling like you've gone off track.
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Decide what's worth it — and what's not
Not all sweets are created equal, and it’s important to know which are worth the holiday indulgence, and which you can have at any time.
Consider which will be more satisfying: that chocolate croissant you can also order in July or the pecan pie your beloved grandmother only makes once a year. And get real with yourself about whether you’re eating something you don’t even really like just because it's there — like fruitcake.
Savor the flavors with all of your senses
When you do indulge, take the time to enjoy the treat without distractions. Enjoy the appearance, smell, taste, and texture of that piece of pie, and do so slowly. You will likely find that you need a smaller piece to satisfy your craving than if you scarfed it down in two seconds in your car or at your desk.
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Pay attention to how you feel after eating a sweet treat
One small piece of pie or a cookie is unlikely to affect you, but how do you feel after eating an entire box of chocolates? Not so great, right? Remembering those feelings in all their unpleasant detail can help keep your dessert choices in check.
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