A Balanced Approach to Holiday Feasting

Feasting is a tradition for many who celebrate a holiday this month. Sometimes my family can experience stomach upsets when we are indulging in more than our usual share of rich, sweet and novel dishes.

Here are a few ways we try to balance out the holiday feasting with more conscious, whole foods choices without stealing any of the joy or creating narratives that label or moralize any food as “good” or “bad”.

I try to have on offer three snacks simple snacks that children can graze on while they’re home

• fruit plate
• veggie platter with dip 
• muffins or mini muffins 

These foods are crunchy and/or sweet, satisfying and fill little tummies so that they are less tempted to overindulge on other things.

Below are some other larger snacks (or smaller meals) I recommend that strike a balance between carbs, fat and protein. Parents always ask how they can encourage picky eaters to try their vegetable based soups. I suggest serving in very small bowls with very small spoons to make the experience novel, no pressure and easy to achieve. A tablespoon of pumpkin soup is much less overwhelming than a a big bowlful of it.

 

Finally, a little gratitude goes a long way when it comes to enjoying our food mindfully.

Saying a short blessing and/or lighting a candle before a meal, snack or dessert not only fosters a sense of thankfulness but also offers an opportunity for stillness and silence – where everyone is blessed with a moment to connect and check-in with their bodies before digging in.

Here is a post with some seasonal blessings for you to explore.