You don’t need to be ‘Nice’ over the holidays

It is close to Christmas, and for many children that brings the tradition of the elf on the shelf: a little character sent by Santa to watch behavior and quietly judge whether someone is naughty or nice.

For a lot of us adults, we unknowingly follow a similar tradition: the Food Elf. This elf keeps score of all of our food decisions, silently judging whether we are being nice by eating healthy foods or naughty by overindulging. Instead of reporting back to Santa, the Food Elf tends to shame and guilt us by constantly pointing out what we do wrong.

A lot of people struggle to stay healthy around the holidays, not because they suddenly lack willpower, but because emotions run higher and the stakes feel different. Food is deeply tied to family and tradition, and choosing differently can feel like breaking with those traditions, not just changing a habit. Add family expectations and subtle pressure, and it becomes much easier to simply give in and eat whatever everyone else is having.

The excessive shame and guilt that the Food Elf brings us is not very helpful for changing our (food) habits. In fact, because they get us down, it can cause us to subconsciously rebel and choose even more junk food than we might have had otherwise. 

It is good to choose healthier foods, but first and foremost it is important that you choose with consciousness. Whatever your decision, whether it be the healthiest salad or the unhealthiest desert, choose it consciously and enjoy it without guilt.

This will allow you to truly taste what you are eating, and how it makes you feel. Trust that by noticing this, you will start to choose foods that fit your body better with time.

This Christmas, notice when your Food Elf pops up and tries to label food as naughty or nice, and instead bring in your consciousness: All things considered, what do I choose?