Holiday Traditions... Are They Your Friend or Foe?


By Dr. Patrick DeFrancesco “


revolved around eating. My mother would begin to make the Christ- mas cookies just prior to Thanksgiving. An assortment of tins would be loaded with a variety of these delicious treats. As kids, we would sneak a few from each tin and devour them. Mom would get upset… and then make some more. That “once a year” became “months a year,” during which cookies were a staple in our home. More than likely your family has similar traditions during the


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holidays, which involve eating from around Thanksgiving straight through to January. Every year, we indulge in huge midday feasts and very often find ourselves in a food coma on the couch by the time the second football game rolls around (or by the time we should be doing the dishes!). The connection between holidays and food has been in existence since the beginning of time. These tempting tradi- tions challenge our health and send us off-course from our normal eating patterns. Perhaps this is why health clubs across the country are at maximum capacity from January through February. Masses of people make resolutions to get in shape and lose the extra weight gained during the holiday season. The strange phenomenon is that when these people begin to look and feel better, they vanish from the health clubs until the following year.


on’t worry. You’re skinny. Eat! It’s only once a year!” These words still ring in my ears from my Italian family upbringing. I have memories of a multitude of celebrations that mainly


One Meal can Increase Fat Storage, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure


What I propose is balance and moderation. We must enjoy the


holidays while not allowing them to revolve entirely around food. Yes, it is difficult indeed to shift years of habit, so please understand that I am not suggesting that we just eat salad during the holidays. Instead, limit snacks and empty carbohydrates and avoid having one large meal per day. All too often, our celebrations include the one big meal tradition. When we eat like this, however, it sends our digestive process into a tailspin, requiring digestion of large amounts of food at one time. It makes the body sluggish and most of the nutrients from that meal are stored as fat. It also has been deter- mined that a one meal gorge can cause significant increases in total cholesterol and blood pressure. So this season, please realize that this eating tradition is not your friend.


Eat Three to Five Small Meals for Health and Energy


Instead, try nibbling on healthier foods throughout the day, with three to five smaller meals. You will have more energy, fewer digestive issues and be less likely to fall into a couch coma. It also promotes lower cholesterol levels, consistent blood sugar levels and less accumulation of body fat. If Grandma’s cookies are too tempt- ing to resist, eat these sugary treats (in moderation of course) prior to some kind of physical exertion or exercise. Your body will use this sugar first as its fuel source. Helping the body to burn off the sugar quickly prevents an increase in fat storage and reduces insulin production, thus reducing the risk of adult onset diabetes and other health related problems.


A Time of Reflection, Connection and CPR


Holiday traditions are about so much more than food. They are a time of reflection and connection for individuals and families, as well as a time to create even more pleasant memories. Traditions that we practice represent, or are associated with, important truths that we don’t want to lose sight of. Yes, some traditions are just lighthearted fun, but even lighthearted fun is very important for our health and well-being. This season could be a great time to think less about food and more about your personal CPR. No this is not cardio pulmonary resuscitation, but the context, purpose and result of your life. I always suggest creating one for the first quarter of the New Year. Context is what defines you as a person or how you see


22 Natural Nutmeg December 2012


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