Of all times of the year, the holiday season brings the most challenges to those trying to practice mindful eating. Temptations abound: from your favorite baked goods to cocktail parties and numerous social gatherings all centered around food as the main activity. In addition, the added stress of family visits and other obligations are often triggers to eat without thinking about how much we really want or need.
Navigating Disordered Eating During the Holidays
The holiday season can be an especially difficult time for people who struggle with various types of eating issues: binge eating; food restricting; bingeing and purging; emotional or stress eating; food addiction; chronic dieting; food fears; and more. Because most activities from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day are food-centric, those dealing with disordered eating can be quickly overwhelmed and stressed out.
College & Eating Disorders: Know the Warning Signs
Going to college is an exciting time in an adolescent’s life! Everything is new: new freedoms, new experiences, new friends, and new life paths. It is also a major life transition that is stressful and demanding. This transition often triggers an eating disorder in those who are genetically pre-disposed or otherwise vulnerable. Early detection and intervention are critical as eating disorders can be so devastating.
Body Neutral: Helping Your Daughter Avoid Body Image Issues and Disordered Eating
The way you talk to your daughter about her body and the changes she is undergoing can greatly improve her chances of developing a healthy self esteem and body image. This goes a long way in preventing disordered eating which affects overall health. In particular, the mother in a girl’s life is especially influential in how her daughter will view herself and her body. A mother’s own personal relationship with her body, food, and herself is likely to be passed down to her daughter.
Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day
Every year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics determines a theme to represent their basic message of healthy nutrition for everyone. This year’s theme is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day”. The theme is meant to encourage the idea that there is not just one “right” way for everyone to eat to meet healthy nutrition standards. On the contrary, eating “right” is very individualized for each person.