Eating Around the Holidays
With major holiday celebrations during this time, and the incorporation of food in most; eating and body image issues can show up more prevalently in people.
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November, December, and January are a time for celebrations. Whether it is enjoying holiday celebrations with family and friends, or celebrating the break from work and school, the holidays are filled with food. From turkey to ham, pie, and mashed potatoes, food is a focus of many celebrations. Although for some food is something to be celebrated, many struggle with their relationship with food, especially in relation to body image.
According to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, about 30 million people in the United States have an eating disorder, with 95 percent of those people being between the ages of 12 to 25. This means that it overwhelmingly impacts those around high school age.
A student at Waukee High School stated that, when thinking about eating around the holidays, “I feel stressed and dread eating in front of other people.” Another student expressed that questions flood their mind such as “Is it possible that I’m overeating?” and “That looks delicious, but it also appears high in calories; should I eat it?” Thoughts like these prevent many students from fully enjoying the holiday season.
Mrs. Curry, a counselor at Waukee High School, recommends these tips to make eating around the holidays easier.
- Make a plan- know exactly what to eat and how to handle the excess amounts of food.
- Have conversations- if there is someone who is trustworthy, it can help to talk through the stress with them. They may have a solution.
- Pack a meal- This may feel a little uncomfortable in a place where everyone is eating the same meal, but understand that it is important to prioritize oneself. Bringing foods that are more comforting to eat may lower the stress that one is feeling.
Sophomore Addie Brennan also adds that it is important for friends and family to not add comments or judgment onto what anyone else is eating regardless of knowing if they have an ED or not. These comments can affect a person negatively and may hinder their recovery.
Stress around the holidays can increase immensely and adding struggling eating habits to it certainly makes it worse. Making sure to take care of oneself and keeping in mind the impact of comments onto others is important in order to get through the holidays healthily.