AUTHOR
ANGELA LEE Angela Lee is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian working in private practice in Melbourne . She specialises in gastrointestinal health and the Low FODMAP diet . She is an avid foodie who loves to get creative in the kitchen in her spare time . You can find Angela online at
www . tlcnutrition . com . au or on Instagram
@ tlcnutrition . lee
SELF-CARE IN THE FESTIVE SEASON
Dietitian Angela Lee has four simple steps to help us find balance and good health this festive season .
The festive season seems to start earlier each year ! And by December , many of us find ourselves in a whirlwind of social and family engagements , work pressures , gift shopping and event planning . No wonder it ’ s so common to find ourselves overwhelmed and stressed out by the time the new year arrives .
When it comes to nutrition - such an integral part of self-care - our regular healthy habits can sometimes take a sideline during the festive season . Being busy can mean less time for exercise and food preparation , and more eating on the run . Here are my four suggested strategies to help you be present in the moment , maintain balance and energy levels and enjoy what this festive season has to offer !
Practice mindful eating
Mindful eating ( or intuitive eating ) is a way we can reconnect to our appetite and learn to trust our body ’ s natural cues . This technique invites us to reject strict food rules ( e . g . ‘ good ’ vs ‘ bad ’ foods , calorie restrictions , arbitrary portion sizes ). Mindful eating isn ’ t about managing weight . The idea is that we can let our body find its natural set-point , while enjoying an easy relationship with food .
How can this help during the festive season with more meals eaten out , and so many ‘ treat ’ foods on offer ? It might sound counterintuitive , but letting go of rules and practising mindful eating can help us nourish our bodies . Of course , it does take some practice .
} With mindful eating , we slow down , tune in and immerse ourselves in the sensations of eating . } We notice the smells , flavours and textures of food . } We notice our bodily sensations while eating , and learn to understand what hunger and fullness really feel like .
14 YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE