The Doctor Is In

‘Tis the season to be jolly! And it’s also the season to eat the fun but fattening foods you have been looking forward to all year.

The Thanksgiving table is usually filled with multiple kinds of carbs, sugar and sweet desserts, and these are not things you should be denying yourself on this special day. You can go on the internet to find advice on how to not overeat or be tempted by all this deliciousness, but that is not healthy for your soul. And that is not the question for today!

The whole point of the holidays is to share food and drinks with family and friends, and not feel guilty when doing so. As a medical professional, I am giving you permission to eat what you want on two or three days of the year. You will not gain any significant amount of weight if you indulge a couple of times but eat right and exercise the rest of the year.

Now that being said, I am not advising that you overindulge for two months out of the year. Just because your house or office is full of See’s Candies or those caramel popcorn bins does not mean you stop eating healthy for the full two months of the “season.” If you do, you can indeed gain weight, which can then affect other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

For some of my patients, I have seen that throwing away their inhibitions completely tends to be a slippery slope and can be difficult to stop for weeks or months. It is important, therefore, to really know yourself and your body.

Make conscious decisions about food and drinks, and know that you will have two or three “cheat days” to eat whatever you want. You just need a game plan to get back on track after the special meal.

In fact, to avoid putting on holiday weight, try to eat healthfully most of the time, so you can safely indulge in those foods and drinks you have been hankering for and not feel guilty. If you engage in mindful eating, you will also enjoy your meal more and will stop before you are painfully stuffed.

Remember that you do not have to eat everything on your plate. Eat the foods you really love during these meals and say no to some that you just feel so-so about.

Slow down while eating these indulgent foods, so you can really savor the flavor. Remember that these meals are not just about the food, but also about spending time with those you love. These foods can release a flood of dopamine, which brings pleasure and can definitely improve mood short term.

It is definitely OK to let go of any guilt while eating because there are really no bad foods in moderation. I have a patient who once told me: “Don’t feel guilty, just eat the dang pie!” I love her philosophy. But I would caution you to just eat one piece and not the whole dang pie.