Savour the season - 4 ways to embrace intuitive eating this Christmas

Christmas is a season like no other - a time to gather with loved ones, toast to the year gone by, and savor the simple joys of togetherness. The air fills with laughter, clinking glasses, and an aroma of festive delights. A mince pie (or three), a glass of mulled wine, a slice of something decadent - it’s all part of the magic.

For many, this indulgence is a seamless celebration of abundance and tradition. But for some, it arrives with an unwelcome side dish of guilt and anxiety. 

We live in a world where diet culture has woven its way into the fabric of our everyday lives. A world that often whispers (or sometimes shouts) that food must be earned, indulgence balanced with ‘making up for it’ later, and our worth tied to how we look. This fuels an endless quest to conform to unattainable beauty standards, constantly pushing us to ‘fix’ ourselves instead of accepting and celebrating who we truly are. Yet the truth is, we are all beautifully unique, and this individuality should be embraced wholeheartedly.

Add to this the hum of social media, where picture-perfect shots of bodies blur the line between aspiration and pressure. We’re bombarded with diet plans, exercise regimes, and unspoken rules about what we should eat, how much we should exercise, and how our bodies should look, especially following Christmas.

No wonder, then, that a season so deeply rooted in feasting and celebration can feel, for some, like a battlefield.

Aligning with our biological needs 

Winter is a time to slow down, seek warmth and embrace the comforts that sustain us through the colder months. It is a rhythm etched into our biology, an echo of the natural world where animals would prepare for hibernation - gathering, nourishing and conserving energy. For us, this instinct manifests in the rich foods we crave, the hearty meals that bring us together and the little indulgences that spark joy. Modern life allows us to celebrate this instinct during Christmas, with abundance. To eat well in winter is an act of self care, a way of honouring the seasons within us and outside of us. 

Understanding eating intuitively 

Intuitive eating is about reconnecting with your body and its built-in wisdom. At its core, it’s the practice of listening to your body’s signals, honoring what it is truly asking for, and allowing yourself to experience the joy of food without judgment or shame. While it sounds simple in theory, it can be challenging in practice - especially with the constant noise of diet culture all around us.

Intuitive eating invites you to tune out that noise and instead trust that your body knows what it wants and needs. Intuitive eating isn’t about giving up structure entirely; it’s about finding balance by tuning into your body’s signals and responding with care, kindness, and curiosity. It’s about creating a mindful, flexible relationship with food - one that allows you to feel satisfied and at peace.

By tuning into your body’s natural signals and finding joy in the experience of food, you can hopefully navigate festive meals with more ease and enjoyment. Here are some practical tips to help you get started.

Unconditional permission 

If  you catch yourself avoiding certain foods to 'be good,' this can often have the opposite effect of what you intended. The paradox of restriction is that the more we deny ourselves, the stronger our cravings become. Labeling foods as ‘off-limits’ can imbue them with an almost mythical allure, tempting us with a pull that wouldn’t exist if we simply allowed ourselves to enjoy them freely. Christmas foods and drinks are meant to be savored, celebrated, and shared - not feared. When we restrict ourselves, it only heightens our desire, turning simple pleasures into sources of internal conflict. 

By leaning into the season and giving ourselves unconditional permission to enjoy festive treats without guilt, we reclaim our power and cultivate a sense of freedom and peace in our relationship with food.

Language matters

The language we use around food makes a difference to the relationship we have with it. Labelling foods as ‘naughty’, for example, may seem innocent, but it attaches guilt and judgement to something meant to nourish and bring joy. This mindset can create a cycle of shame and restriction, making it harder to have a balanced relationship with eating. Instead, try shifting to more neutral language such as ‘fun’ food or ‘festive’ food. By describing foods without judgment, we free ourselves to enjoy them for what they are - a source of comfort, nourishment, and connection. 

Eat mindfully 

Before eating, stopping for 2 or 3 deep breaths helps to calm your nervous system and kick start digestion. But more importantly, it allows you to better connect to the eating experience. 

By slowing down, savouring the flavours and smells, and noticing how your body feels, you can better tune into hunger and fullness cues. This practice not only makes the eating experience more pleasurable, but also helps you feel more satisfied and connected.

Indulge in self care, too

The Christmas season, though magical, can also bring its share of stress and pressure. That’s why treating yourself to not only delicious food but also moments of self-care is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday season. By slowing down and honouring the traditions of rest and reflection our ancestors embraced during winter, we can create space for calm and presence. Simple acts like a gentle walk in a frosty forest or a trip to the sauna can help ground us amidst the holiday bustle. When we nurture ourselves in these ways, we’re filling up our ‘satisfaction cup’, and are therefore less likely to turn to food as a way to self soothe and manage stress or emotions, instead finding balance and comfort in the season’s true spirit.

This Christmas, let’s make a toast - not to perfection, but to the beauty of nourishment. Here’s to indulging with love, savoring every bite, and embracing the season with full hearts and happy bellies. Merry Christmas!