We are baking three of our favorite Christmas cookies and decided to use my German grandma’s recipe this year. I remember that they were so tasty and buttery and had all the goodness you associate with eating during the holidays. I have to admit I feel a little bit guilty already, just thinking about how much butter we will use.

But we never make those cookies ever, and I know I won’t chow down the entire batch. It’s tempting, though. But with my easy tips to ditch holiday food guilt, you too can enjoy the holidays. But there is another way!

Temptation is everywhere

First are the office parties, and then the treats everyone brings to share. They sit in the kitchen, tempting you every time you need to refill your water or get a cup of coffee. They seem to call your name, even when you are not in the room.

You cook an elaborate meal for your family, but you have to taste everything before serving it. So you’re already full when you sit down at the table, but you still have to eat with the rest of the family! Then you visit friends and don’t want to disappoint them, so you at least try all of the delicacies they made.

Your waistline is already starting to grow, and the pants are getting tighter. On top of that, you feel lethargic because of all the sugar, fat, and extra alcohol, and to top it all off, you are not exercising as much as you usually do.

Already you feel guilty and disappointed about your lack of self-control. You think, “Darn it, there goes some of the milestones I reached!” You almost lost all the weight you had planned on losing at the beginning of the year. You had your nutrition and exercise program under control…until now.

Know your fears and have strategies to overcome them

• What if you didn’t beat yourself up because you can’t stick with your rules?
• What if there was a better way than depriving yourself of the holidays?
• What if you didn’t have to feel guilty during the holidays?

I am not saying throw caution to the wind and go for it. But I don’t want to feel guilty and enjoy the holidays. I don’t want to miss out on all of the festivities but celebrate them by enjoying delicious treats. It’s not about being good or bad when it comes to the holiday treats but how and what we choose to eat and not feel deprived. So, let’s ditch the holiday food guilt in 3 easy steps.

3 Simple Tips To Ditch The Holiday Food Guiltliday Food Guilt

Tip #1 Stop and take notice

Don’t just go for it. Wait a moment and think about what you are going to put into your body. Be clear on how important the food is to your health.

Ask yourself: Why am I eating this? Is it right for my body? Does it give me energy?

I am thinking back to Thanksgiving and what amazing foods we ate. My daughter-in-law is an incredible cook, and we had turkey, three different side dishes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, three (I am not kidding) pies, ice cream, and whipped cream. Phew, just reading this makes my stomach feel stuffed.

So I decided on the foods that I liked: Turkey, gravy, beans, and a small pie of apple pie with whipped cream. I don’t like cranberry sauce and stuffing served in small portions and one plate each. I had a little of the things that I love and didn’t overload my body with too much sugar or salt.

So stop and take notice, and don’t eat things you don’t like, but choose small amounts of the ones you enjoy. The best part: You can do this with every meal during and after the holidays.

Tip #2 Treat the holidays like a typical day

Don’t save your calories for later in the day in anticipation of a large dinner, and restrict your eating until then. Get up, get breakfast and eat lunch like you usually do.

By the time dinner rolls around you will be so hangry that you will eat anything in sight. This is a recipe for a stomach ache and a food hangover for sure.

On Thanksgiving or Christmas, the entire family goes for a run and some walk. Often we meet at a local race and meet up with like-minded friends. It’s so cheerful, and most bring family members that are visiting, and you make new friends. I think we use the run as a little extra “calorie cushion” and don’t feel guilty about taking a bit extra that day.

Tip #3 Remember what the holidays are about

I remember when I was little, and we didn’t know that there was no REAL “Christkindl,” as we call our Santa in Germany. We were so excited to decorate the tree and bake cookies, and we couldn’t wait until it was Christmas Eve. Germany, like many other European countries, celebrates Christmas on December 24th. We visited relatives living close by, and everybody was hanging out talking, playing games, or preparing food.

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