Santa’s Guide to Overeating and Moderation: Finding Balance This Holiday Season

Dear Santa,

I hate to bother you on Christmas (Merry Christmas by the way) and thanks for the awesome presents. I’m writing because I’m feeling a lot of shame. Recently, I’ve been doing really well with not using food to deal with my feelings of “less than” and general discomfort. I haven’t been staunchly avoiding trigger foods, not going near restaurants I used to frequent and not buying anything at the store that might lead to a binge. But I couldn’t avoid our family Christmas dinner last night.

Sitting at a tableful of meats, sweets, and treats, while surrounded by the people who stir up my “eating feelings” was just too much to take, and I jumped off the wagon in a huge way. I don’t know what to do now. Please help.

Thanks in advance, Bloated and Ashamed

Dear Bloated and Ashamed,

I feel ya on the bloated…I ate a solid billion cookies last night. As far as feeling ashamed, don’t bother. You can’t change what you did yesterday, but you can enjoy the foods you love without binging. I think it’s great that you’re taking steps to avoid using food to deal with your feelings, but you don’t have to completely cut yourself off from something you enjoy…and frankly, something you need.

Food is fuel. Just as magic (and reindeer food) powers my reindeer, food is what powers your body, so it’s impossible to go without it. You might say, “I can’t go without food, but I can do without trigger foods.” I suppose you could, but why would you want to—those are probably foods you really enjoy. You can learn to enjoy them responsibly and in moderation.

There are also some other things you’ve probably read or been told that aren’t true…”Don’t eat after 5 p.m.,” “Don’t eat fast food,” or “Santa Claus isn’t real.” All garbage. You should eat smaller meals about every four hours, so unless you go to bed at 9 p.m., you’ll be eating after 5 p.m. Again, you can eat whatever you want…in moderation. And I’m not even going to address the “I’m not real” thing…it’s tiresome.

Back to eating whatever you want to. You’re probably thinking: “This fat guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It’s not that easy.” You’re right—it’s not easy…especially when you try to do it on your own. Healthy long-term weight loss requires much more than learning how to eat healthfully and in moderation. It takes caring experts like the ones at Fitness Retreat to teach you how to eat, cook, exercise and deal with the feelings that have caused you to overeat in the past. They can definitely help you. If you don’t believe it, call them and find out for yourself. They’re definitely real…real good at what they do.

I’m off to take a long winter’s nap.

Merry Christmas,

Santa

Christmas Healthy Dips

Tzatziki Dip

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins

Ready In: 5-10 mins

Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Cucumber, (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
• 1 Clove Garlic
• ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice, Freshly Squeezed
• Dash of Cayenne Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the cucumber that you peeled, seeded, and chopped up.
2. In a food processor, add the garlic and salt and turn it into a paste.
3. Add the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and the garlic paste to the bowl with the cucumber and mix together. Season with the cayenne pepper and serve.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

• Amount per Serving: ¼ cup
• Calories: 45
• Total fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat:5g
• Protein: 0g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Carbohydrates: 2g

Enjoy this delightful and healthy dip, perfect for your holiday gatherings!

Stay On Track with FitCulture

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Happy Holidays and Happy Eating!