Did you know that following statement: “The average American gains 7-10 pounds from Thanksgiving to NYE”…is a lie? In reality, the average American gains a single pound each year. The multi-billion dollar diet industry is notorious for stretching the truth, or promoting outright false information with the primary goal of making a profit. Bombarded with good marketing, yet bad information, we often form beliefs that lead us to cycle between under and over eating, internalize harsh health beliefs, and ultimately leave us spiraling in anxiety and shame.

Tis the most food-filled time of the year – if you’re feeling a certain way about that, you’re not alone. Diet culture works so hard to steal joy from us this season. If you have a complicated relationship with food, you can feel at war from October all the way to January. That’s why Meant To Eat’s Ali Botelho is hosting “Reclaiming Thanksgiving: Navigating Diet Culture, Creating a Balanced Plate and Embracing Recovery” a masterclass made just for you! It’s this Sunday (11/17) at 4pm CST with replay available. Your sign up will also come with two worksheets to help you make a personalized holiday nutrition plan. We promise this masterclass will be juicier than your Thanksgiving turkey!!

To give you a little appetizer of what’s to come in the masterclass, I thought we could fact check some of the most heinous holiday food slander…

What diet culture says: Pumpkin pie, honey ham, and casseroles should be limited to holiday meals only.

What’s actually true: All foods are available all year! There’s no need to limit foods to a certain day. In fact, you shouldn’t limit foods to a certain day. The more access you have to certain foods, the less out of control you will feel around them. Giving yourself permission to eat all foods all year round removes the power from food and places it in your hands. Yes, even rich and delicious holiday food!

What diet culture says: Save your calories for the big feast!

What’s actually true: Calories aren’t an investment, why are we saving them? It’s best to pay our energy bill on time and eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day. Skipping meals leads to overeating. It’s easy to forget that our bodies are and have always been programmed for survival. To our caveman brains, a skipped meal is a sign of famine. Next time food is around, our primal survival skills kick in and we begin to feast…and then over-feast. The fix? Nourish your body with adequate and consistent energy throughout the day, even and especially on holidays.

What diet culture says: Holidays = cheat days

What’s actually true: If you have to cheat on your diet, it’s time to break up! Regularly eating a variety of foods ensures sustenance and satisfaction. 

What diet culture says: Eat this, not that.

What’s actually true: Replacing a food that you enjoy and crave with a less desirable form of that food restriction. If you love a food, savor the real thing! Survey the food spread at your next holiday party before filling your plate. Assess your hunger along with your cravings, and serve yourself accordingly, experimenting with the right balance of satisfying your wants and meeting your body’s needs.

What diet culture says: Avoid the appetizer table and snack bowls.

What’s actually true: Warm appetizers and salty snacks have a place in our diet, just like every other food. If snacks are catching your eye, make a small plate, be merry, and mingle. No need to avoid the pre-meal goodies!

The best present you could ever give yourself is food freedom. Meant To Eat Nutrition Counseling would love to be a part of that journey with you. Starting this December 2024, we will be in network with Aetna! Submit an inquiry about utilizing your benefits for nutrition counseling sessions, it’s possible your sessions could be 100% covered!! We can’t wait to work with you.