Sticking to Keto During the Holiday

“The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.” ~ Thomas Edison

Dear friend,

Let’s be honest, keto as a medical intervention is a restrictive diet.

However, for those who stick to using food as a fuel and medicine, it has great rewards.

During the holiday season, food is used for socialization and celebration. This is fine but it also means being presented with a lot of temptation and sometimes pressure from well intentioned family and friends.

It can be slightly uncomfortable or challenging to be a part of the festivities without compromising your own values.

So, How do you stay on track?

First and foremost, it is important to set your intentions ahead of time.

If you’re using food as a medical intervention - for mental health, or to lose weight, or improve some other condition, then food is your medicine.

You’ve already began to view eating as an act of self care, but also as a step you’re taking to improve your health. You’re using nutrition to heal your body, mind, and soul. This is a worthwhile undertaking!

For those who have made a commitment food is no longer for…

• entertainment

• stress relief

• emotional comfort

• coping for boredom

Or a plethora of other reasons that are not conducive to your overall health and wellness. It’s important to realize that you’re making a conscious choice. Know ahead of time what you will use food for and what you’re no longer willing to tolerate as misuse of food or what some call “disordered eating.”

Once that is ironed out, then it becomes easier to communicate with others where you stand. And you don’t have to explain or convince anyone of anything. However, you can politely state your preferences and respond to people’s inevitable questions.

Have an honest and polite answer ready:)

It could be something simple as, “I am not hungry at the moment.” or “I’m fasting.” or “I prefer to eat this or that food” or just a straight forward “No. Thank you.”

If you feel comfortable with sharing you can also let people know you’re doing a “medical keto”. And of course, you may have people asking you a ton more of questions but that’s okay. Sharing with others is one of the best ways to solidify what we’re learning.

How you choose to communicate is up to you and you get to decide ahead of time how you will handle the social situations that will come up.

Another great option is to prepare your own food.

Some people will actually cook their own food and take it over to the get together. Maybe you’re the one hosting and can be creative in what you prepare.

Often there are many options on the menu you can choose from when it comes to holiday cooking. Some type of meat and whole veggies are part of most people’s holiday food options.

You can pick and choose to the best of your ability.

You don’t have to eat everything on the buffet.

That said, it’s not going to be perfect. Sometimes you’ll take a step back and that is part of the process too.

If you do take a step back, then just start over. Everyday is a new beginning. Holidays are only for a brief period. It’s one thing to fall, but quite another to pitch a tent and camp there.

Bottom line is be gentle and balanced with yourself.

You’re a human being doing your best to look after yourself. And with time you will get a hang of it and it will become a habit. This eating pattern will take a hold and it will be something you don’t have to think much about.

You will use food as your medicine. You will fuel and nurture your body and brain with nutrition. And it will serve you greatly throughout your life.

What price can we put on our health?

It’s priceless. Health is truly the greatest wealth. To be able to breath, think, move, dance, create, express, love, and do all the things you want to do with grace and ease. That’s the reward of proper nutrition. As well not being sick or suffering.

So dwell on those thoughts and that vision.

It will become so much easier to stick to your plan. Wishing you happy, peaceful, and wonderful holiday.

Feel free to leave me your questions, comments, and feedback below. Thank you for taking the time to visit here.

Until next time, we continue in solidarity. 

Neseret Bemient, BScN
Holistic Mental Health Coach 
Website: Return to Wholeness Healing Services
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@NeseretBemient
Twitter(X): Neseret Bemient (@JourneyofHope4U)

BIG DREAMS

...start inside
...take courage
...involve effort
...include mistakes
...build character
...are achievable

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~