Fighting Those Feasts with Intentional Eating

By Donna Stark

There are so many moments to celebrate throughout the year and it seems like every new season comes with more reasons to do just that. We are now heading into the graduation, wedding, and summer party season and with that comes so many opportunities to enjoy friends, family, and all the other beautiful things that simply make life wonderful. It’s also a time to eat … and then maybe even eat a little bit more, because how could you not with all of the catered meals, steaks on the grill, and cake. Lots of cake.

Food: The Great Intimidator

Don’t let food intimidate you or make you uncomfortable before you even step foot at the backyard party or the reception hall. You can enjoy these food-filled events to your heart’s content, but you may have to take some precautionary measures to get you through them successfully and without going overboard by eating more than you actually want. Here are some tips to keep your health goals in sight while celebrating with loved ones.

• Drink plenty of water - Dehydration can easily be mistaken for hunger, and there is nothing worse than eating extra food when all you really need is a glass or two of water. Avoid this from happening by staying hydrated every day and by drinking water before your meal.
• Chew intentionally - It is easy to forget to chew slowly and with intention when there’s a smorgasbord of your favorite food in front of you. I know that I have my favorites when I visit family and it’s hard for me to slow down while eating because I miss them so much, but by slowing down, you may even realize that you can eat less and still be satisfied.
• Fill up on greens - You may feel better about what you eat if you consume some lighter food in place of the heavier sides and burgers. Try to fill at least half of your plate with fresh greens, veggies, or salads and up your nutritional intake at the same time.
• Share - Portion sizes can be incredibly deceptive, and while there’s no need to share everything you eat, it helps to find a family member or friend to split the calories with. Sharing is a great way to indulge in certain foods (like those deliciously rich, calorie-dense desserts that no one in their right mind would pass up), without having that dreaded feeling of failure the next morning.
• Take it home - If your family or friends are anything like mine, they tend to overcook, and then they send you home with plastic containers of leftovers. This is a great option and a perfect way to spread those calories out over the next day or two.

Don’t let the worries of what you are eating steal the joy from the moment you are celebrating. Use these tips to keep you on track with your health and fitness goals.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Ariz.