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This week I want to share my tips for getting through the holidays while on the Paleo diet. It can be hard! I've learned after doing this for over 5 years what works and doesn't work, so here is what I suggest:
(1) If you are having dinner over someone else’s house, call ahead and talk to the host/hostess. Explain that you are on a restricted diet and see what they might be planning to make. If it mainly fits within the confines of your diet (like a roasted turkey for example), eat that. Otherwise say you don’t want to impose and that you will bring and/or make your own food. (Making your own food there works if you are staying somewhere else, like at a relative’s house in another state. Otherwise make your food ahead and just reheat). If you really feel strange about doing this, when calling the hostess blame your diet on trying to figure out if you are allergic to something. People are really afraid of food allergies, and they won’t question it as much if you are trying to figure something out like that. If it’s just for weight loss they might not seem as supportive. Sad, but true.
(2) If you are making dinner for others who aren’t Paleo, make things that are naturally gluten-free and Paleo, but don’t make a big fuss out of it. I have found non-Paleo people tend to automatically think Paleo food is inferior, even if it is way more delicious than anything else, but you don’t want to taint it ahead of time with this false opinion. Things like my Beef Tenderloin with Garlic “Cream” Sauce work well as well as the Ginger Baked Pear or Baked Apple recipes. If you have guests that request you make something because of some sentimental tie (which happens a lot around the holidays), cheerfully agree to make it. You don’t have to eat it…
(3) Unless someone outright asks you why you eat the way you do, don’t bring it up. Lead by example, not by a dogmatic approach. People do not like it when you tell them what they are doing is wrong. Especially when they are in the midst of indulging themselves in rich, sugary holiday food. And if someone does ask you, tell them why YOU are eating this way, not why THEY should be eating this way. But I suggest even when you say why you are, do it from a personal health approach, not from a “because X is bad for you”. Even if you really really want your mom to switch to a Paleo diet, being preachy about it is only going to turn her off. Again, like I said, lead by example. If people see your glowing skin, lost weight, amazing energy, etc, they will say “I want some of what SHE’S having”.
(4) If you don’t have a known allergy or sensitivity to something and aren’t actively trying to find out if you do have one, enjoy yourself and eat what you want. Paleo isn’t meant to be some prison that you force yourself into. It is meant to be a way of eating that gets you the most nutrient dense food in a way that doesn’t cause your body a ton of inflammation and chronic harm. A night or two off won’t kill you. Just don’t let a night (or even a few days) of cheating lead you down a downward spiral. Pick yourself back up afterwards and eat cleanly.
(5) This is also a really good time to write down your goal for why you are eating Paleo. Perhaps cutting a few pictures out of a magazine of what you are trying to look like or writing down a list of symptoms you are trying to rid yourself of. This way if you do cheat or need extra motivation NOT to cheat, you can take a look at this list and remind yourself of why you do this. Stick it on your fridge or put it in your suitcase if you are traveling and look at it often. Using a journal for tracking what you eat that gives you prompts for tracking symptoms, sleep, movement, and overall feeling is a great idea during this time and will really keep you going.
All fantastic tips – love this post! Lead by example, don’t be dogmatic is my #1 tip to everyone I talk to about this subject 🙂 Well, that and being prepared in advance, of course!
Thanks Dana. Dogmatic is the fastest way to make anyone hate anything, right? No one wants to be told what to do (especially my 4 year old, ha!)
Great tips! I am lucky that I have super supportive family, and friends that make planning for a paleo holiday less stressful.
Thanks Rachel! So glad that you have supportive family and friends. That’s got to make it so much easier!
These are such great tips, Michele! Oh, the holidays can be so stressful! We don’t eat the breakfast at my mother-in-laws, but we don’t make a big deal about it. Luckily she handles it well.
That’s great she handles it well. I know not everyone can be so lucky, but I think not making a big deal out of it probably helps too.
Great tips! I agree with not talking about my food restrictions unless specifically asked. I find it’s better to not say anything. And if asked, I usually just respond that I just feel better when I eat this way. I never want people to feel judged or criticized by the way they eat. Especially during the holidays! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Katja! Yeah, hopefully people are supportive of you once they learn that you feel better this way, but it can definitely be hard. Someday it will be a normal thing to talk about food restrictions as more and more people realize food has so much power over how you feel!
Thanks for this! With all my crazy restrictions it’s hard to navigate eating at other people’s homes without coming off as rude! Very useful
I hate feeling rude! It’s the worst, but yeah, I think everyone appreciates me being upfront about it all and as far as I know they don’t think I’m some rude, pushy person. (i hope!!)
What a great article! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks ChihYu!
I love the idea of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ People are going to naturally like the food if I don’t mention it fits within x, y or z guidelines! The paleo offerings are going to be much of the same staple meats & veggies as people are used to, and in terms of dessert, it’s better to tell them after they’ve had a bite 😉
It’s truly amazing how people can pre-form opinions on things before they’ve even tried it, so yeah “don’t ask, don’t tell” works wonders!
These are great tips, thank you! When I’m hosting a party, I just throw a delicious roast in and serve a crazy amount of veggies (with some added bacon) and no one even knows that they are indeed eating a healthy and hearty Paleo meal! Thanks for sharing all these great tips!
Thanks Halle! I don’t know too many people who complain about bacon! (unless they are vegetarian or vegan)
I just love these ideas Michele. I have had many a holiday where I was on a very very restricted diet and it is super do-able if you plan ahead. I think I love the most just the not making a big deal about it – lead by example. In the 10 or so years since my healing journey, so many members of my family have hopped on board just by watching me. So many great questions come up and you can really answer them honestly and with grace when it the ball is in your court so to speak!
So true! I’m so glad to hear that man of your family members have hopped on board by watching you. Then because it is THEIR decision and not something you are forcing on them they are that much more receptive to help and advice. Keep on inspiring!
This is so helpful, especially when you have a specific diet because you need to for health reasons. I used to get lots of comments and questions about why I eat the way I do, and it used to bother me … but I’ve let that go. I know I need to do what’s best for my body and what makes my body feel good. I love points #2 and 3.
Thanks Emily! Yeah, so many comments and it is SO easy to let it bother you. But you can’t. It’s your body and your health.