Is It Still Special to Gorge During the Holidays?

“Then the Whos, young and old, will sit down to a feast and they’ll feast, and they’ll feast. And they’ll feast, feast, feast, feast.” — The Grinch

Holidays are the season to spend time with friends and family. Celebrating the year entering our rear-view mirror, while looking at the year which is to come. Usually, these celebrations and gatherings are accompanied by increased drinking, dessert consumption, and tons of overeating. That’s all fine, except these practices have steadily become the daily norm for most people. The increase in daily calorie consumption pushes for us to go even bigger for the holidays, which defeats its original purpose.

Feasting has long been associated with holiday merry making. Traditionally, this was special because everyday diets were simple and repetitive¹. Just a few generations ago, it was common to eat the same meals week after week and was uncommon to over indulge. This made gathering for such holiday feasting very special to our ancestors. Unfortunately, evidence shows people all over the world overeat on the regular. In a worldwide 2022 study, 43% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight, with adolescent obesity quadrupling since 1990². This raises the daily expectation of food and portion sizes, resulting in holiday meals growing larger to compete with the everyday over eating. This both takes away from the tradition and puts additional strain on your waistline.

Then what’s the answer? We certainly aren’t recommending to boycott all your favorite holiday treats. Instead, take efforts to make them special again. Focus on holiday activities and experiences instead of food. Keep the family moving by enjoying hikes, camping, fire pits, and active games (to name a few)³. Start counting macros during the weeks before special meals and remove the unhealthy sugars and fats. Try fasting a day or two before the big feasts. This will help build anticipation for the meals, while also helping your waistline. Most importantly, remember holidays feasts have always been about the gathering of loved ones, not about stuffing yourself.

Action: Figure out your eating and exercise plan for the holidays. Then, enjoy the festivities!

Further Reading:

1. Changes in Eating Habits Over the Years: Comparing Diets Now & Then
2. Obesity and overweight
3. How To Stop Overeating During The Holidays