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How To Cope With Overwhelming Food Choices at Holiday Parties
Holidays seem to inevitably be centered around food, no matter what the occasion may be. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, this can be something that becomes incredibly overwhelming for someone in recovery from an eating disorder.
For many individuals, holiday meals may be associated with triggers or pastime events that make the season difficult to get through. For example, a person who has struggled with binge eating disorder may have suffered with relapse episodes around the holiday season. For many people, the holidays represent stress, anxiety, difficult and more, and it is important to learn how to anticipate and work through potential triggers.
When Food Becomes Overwhelming
Regardless of where you might be in your recovery or what you have struggled with as a result of your eating disorder, let’s face it: there are an overwhelming number of food choices around the holidays.
While typical dinners might include a main course and one to two side dishes, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas include multiple courses, side courses, appetizers, entrees, desserts and more. Even for someone who does not have an eating disorder, the decision of “What should I put on my plate?” can be overwhelming to work through.
In recovery, preparation ahead of time as much as possible can help negate some of the anxiety and overwhelm you might face during the meal. Draw support from those around you, like your treatment team and loved ones, to take the meal moment by moment.
Work with your dietitian to figure out what your meal might look like. It is imp
ortant to remember that all foods fit. Whether you are following a meal plan or learning to eat intuitively, it is also important to keep things in perspective. One meal is not going to make or break the course that you have been traveling.
Shifting Your Focus
Other things that might be helpful for you during the holiday season is to learn how to shift your focus off the food and onto other things that bring joy to your life. Focusing on communicating and making memories with loved ones and other related things can help you remember what the holiday season is truly about.
Yes, food is a big part of the holidays, but ultimately, food is nourishment for our bodies that is meant to be enjoyed with our loved ones. Utilize your coping skills to help you work through challenging situations, and prepare an exit strategy if temporarily needed. Stay connected to support and know that you can navigate through overwhelming food choices and situations successfully.
Community Discussion – Share Your Thoughts Here!
What has helped you navigate through overwhelming food choices during the holidays?
About the Author: Libby Lyons, MSW, LCSW, CEDS, is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) who works with individuals and families in the area of eating disorders. Mrs. Lyons works in the metropolitan St. Louis area and has been practicing in the field for 11 years. Libby is also trained in Family Based Therapy (FBT) to work with children-young adults to treat eating disorders. Mrs. Lyons has prior experience working with the United States Air Force, Saint Louis University, Operating Officer of a Private Practice, and currently works with both Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute within their Eating Disorders Program and Fontbonne University
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 11, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
