We’re in the thick of the Holiday season. Hanukkah has started and can you believe Christmas is next week? Yikes!

My wish for you? I would love to know that you enjoyed yourself this holiday season and if you decide to indulge in food, that you feel good during and after. I’m offering you two resources to that end:

– Don’t Eat When You’re Stressed: Try This First! (free download)

– Basic Eight Rules (Below)

As you may know, when you get the right nutrients at the right time it positively impacts you mentally and emotionally, not just physically. I’ve known for years that when we eat nourishing food, we can get away with treats, no problem.

Here’s the food part. Below are a few Guidelines that can help you feel better if you indulge (They are from the Basic 8 Rules of the metabolic balance® program). While metabolic balance® is an individualized program designed to balance your blood sugar and repair your metabolism, you can still follow these rules and experience positive changes.

Don’t be overwhelmed by these rules. Even if you just followed the first two, it would make a huge difference. Then add more as you go.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Eat only three meals a day–no snacks!

2. Ensure there is a five hour break between meals (you burn fat this way)

3. Make sure each meals lasts no longer than 60 minutes (this is more of an issue in Europe!)

4. Begin every meal with one or two bites of the protein portion

5. Have only kind of protein at each meal (Skip the Turducken!)

6. Do not eat anything after 9:00 pm

7. Drink lots of water

8. If you eat fruit (including an apple a day), eat it at the end of your meals.

When you indulge after eating foods that nourish you, you’re building on a solid framework. You’re not adding an ice cream sunday onto a day of pancakes, pizza and pasta. That’s a carb fest that would put most anyone into a food coma!

And, if you’re eating the foods that your body needs, you can get away with a treat, no problem, just have it WITH a meal, not as a snack and you’ll feel better as a result.

To this list, I would also eat a protein and a vegetable you like to lunch and dinner, as well as 1 Tbsp or more of some healthy fat added to breakfast, lunch and dinner  (Olive oil or Flaxseed oil for cold foods, and Coconut Oil, Grass Fed Butter, of Ghee for cooked foods, etc.).  Both the vegetables and fat will help with blood sugar (and other things). For more specifics check out this POST.

Why will this help?

Following just the first 2 rules will help you balance your blood sugar and prevent cravings. When we crave, we tend to overeat and regret, right? This also eliminates blood sugar fluctuations and the need to haul snacks. This secret goes against what most Nutritionists are teaching. Try it and see how YOU feel.

If you get hungry between meals, increase the portion size of your protein and vegetable. If you get super hungry or weak, don’t fret, this signals that your metabolism needs help. If you were on the metabolic balance program you’d know exactly what you need to eat because the food plan is developed specifically for you. But, experiment to see what works for you.

Back to the treats. Have a treat with or after your meal. If you have pie with dinner, you’ll feel a whole lot better than having it on an empty stomach.

So, now you’ve got some tools for dealing with stress and for nourishing your body so the indulgences won’t impact you so much.

Happy Holidays!

All the best,