Say No to Christmas Cookies: Eating Disorders and the Holidays

Eating disorders can be difficult and dangerous to deal with. This is especially true around the holidays. Many dieters feel the weight of the seasonal goodies on their shoulders and cheat so that they can taste the delicious treats of the holiday. Those with eating disorders may feel tempted to cheat as well, but this is not the case of stealing a cookie or piece of pie-cheating while you are recovering from an eating disorder can be deadly. Try to help your loved ones through this difficult time of year by offering support, encouragement, and understanding.

First, remember to prepare for the holidays. Christmas shopping often sneaks up on us, and so holiday snacks can as well. The cycle usually begins around the end of October, with Halloween candy. Be ready for the extra treats by planning your meals and sugar intake. For those battling binge-eating disorders, such as bulimia, it is important to keep the candy out of the house. If you children go trick-or-treating and bring home tons of treats, let them keep their favorites and give the rest to friends and family members. Another option is to keep the supply at a grandparent's house or in the freezer, so you or your loved one won't be tempted to binge on candy.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays categorized by eating. Here, it is ok to eat a little extra, but it is a good idea to be on the buddy system-the person struggling with the eating disorder should be closely monitored to be sure purging is not occurring and that compulsive eating is not too out of hand. Anorexics should try to eat healthy in these situations, taking portions from all food groups in amounts that are comfortable. Part of the stress of the holidays is from friends and family in close proximity. They may not understand eating disorders and may make rude comments without realizing it. Be prepared for this and speak with them individually afterward about their behavior.

Be prepared also for unfamiliar holiday meals. Your boss may invite you over for dinner in the Christmas spirit, for example. You may be asked to attend church functions that serve a meal. A significant other may wish to take you home for the holidays. Be ready to deal with these difficult situations by planning your intake of food before you attend a holiday event. Chose certain foods that you will and will not eat and try to stick with your plan. A dietician can help you with this goal. Your dietician will probably be your best friend during the holiday season, so be sure to speak with him or her regularly to be sure you stay on the road to recovery.

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