Many people start eating uncontrollably when they are stressed. Because the holiday often creates additional stress in our life as well as many special goodies to indulge in, it is important to keep your stress levels down.

Here are a few strategies to help you stay healthy and lower your stress during the holiday season. I have many more, contact me to find out which ones are right for you.

1. Enjoy your holiday meals without guilt. Feeling guilty only makes you eat more. On Thanksgiving Day tell yourself you can eat whatever you want. I use the principle of 70/30 in my life to be able to do this. If 70% of the time I stay away from the foods that inflame my system (gluten, cheese, sugar) and eat nutrient rich whole foods then 30% of the time I am free to eat what I want.
2. Eat those delicious holiday treats with awareness. Letting yourself eat whatever you want at the feast only works if you eat it with awareness. The key here is to really pay attention when you are eating those delicious "forbidden" foods. Pick what you want the most and enjoy it fully, savoring every morsel.  Don't just shovel it into your mouth. If you are really experiencing the pleasure of your food your brain will feel satisfied and you will wind up eating less..
3. Have plenty of food on hand you can heat up instantly. This will prevent you from reaching for quick snacks which are high in fat, sugar and salt. I recommend making some simple blended soups to keep in your refrigerator or freezer. You can make blended soups in 20 minutes. They are filling, delicious, easy to digest and very healing. Check out the recipe below or more soup recipes at www.eatwellenjoylife.com
4. Eat breakfast on Thanksgiving morning so you don't get so hungry you go crazy when the food arrives. If you start your day with an alkaline rich green smoothie or a vegetable omelet you will eat less throughout the day. Even if you are cooking take the time to sit down and have breakfast.
5. Start your day with the juice of 1 lemon in a tall glass of water upon arising.   The water gets your pipes moving and the lemon alkalizes your body.
6. Add raw fermented vegetables to your diet. Cultured vegetables greatly improve the digestion of anything else you are eating in that same meal. They break down the proteins & fats, and extract the vitamins and minerals from the food. You become nourished so you are less hungry. If you have eaten a food with sugar in it, pop a spoonful of cultured veggies into your mouth before or after eating the sugar. The fermented vegetables provide and alkalizing antidote to that sugar because the friendly bacteria will dine on the sugar and it is less likely to harm you.
7. Get enough sleep Scientists have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that makes you feel full. Not sleeping enough may lead to overeating and weight gain. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays it is easy to get caught up in the frenzy. You should enjoy your holiday parties but be sure not to stay up too late or over book yourself.
8. Stay hydrated. Dehydration slows down metabolism. Water dissolves nutrients so they are more easily absorbed in the digestive tract. Water transports chemical and nutrients to the cells.   Water carries waste materials from cells to kidneys for filtration and elimination. If you stay hydrated all the excess for and drink you may be eating will go through your system faster with less waste building up. Drink ½ your weight in ounces every day.
9. Do some deep breathing to reduce stress. Stress is toxic. It releases cortisol into your system which packs on the belly fat. When your are stressed it is harder to digest your food. Stress ages your brain before its time. Try this breathing exercise, CLICK HERE before eating. It is the simplest thing you can do to improve your health during the holiday or any time for that matter. Just because it is so simple does not meant it isn't powerful.
10. Indulge but don't overindulge. Your belly digests much better when it is 80% full. When you leave it some room to work your food will be properly assimilated. Overindulging on food or alcohol will leave feeling the effects for days.