Navigating the Holiday Season

23 December, 2020

In this blog Elle dishes on how you can navigate the holiday season.

The holidays can be a tricky time when it comes to following a keto diet… But, let’s be clear, it is not hard to follow a keto or low carb diet in and of itself over Christmas – there are so many delicious keto and low carb Christmas recipes you can make (and we have so many available for you to choose from!!).

That part isn’t hard. But it is hard because of the emotional connection we have with food. What do we mean by that? There might be a potato salad that your friend has always made each year, or a pudding that your Nana only makes each Christmas. Although a keto friendly version may exist, it’s not quite the same as eating your Nana’s pudding…

When it comes to deciding whether you’ll continue to follow a keto or low carb diet, there isn’t a right or a wrong way decision you can make. It’s entirely personal, and one isn’t a better decision than the other. Whether you stay keto, or you take a pause on that, doesn’t matter. What does matter is how you treat yourself for making that decision.

Feeling guilty about the food decisions we make can be particularly common among people who follow a low carb or keto diet. That’s unfortunately a cultural thing in this space that I think may have developed in part from “keto police” (people who closely monitor and criticise other people’s food choices, commenting on whether they feel an item / recipe is keto or not).

I am really passionate about changing that, and encouraging you to not engage in those thoughts. Ultimately it is about you creating a lifestyle you love and enjoy, and other’s opinions do not matter in that!

Speaking of people’s opinions, one of the most difficult situations to survive is attending holiday parties and family gatherings while remaining keto. The judgment and questions from others can feel overwhelming at times. Trust me, I’ve been there and I know! Remember… whatever decision you make about what you’re choosing to eat is yours. You’re doing what’s right for you! Anyone’s negative opinion, or criticism, is really a reflection of their own insecurity – or maybe they don’t understand that a keto diet isn’t just spoonfuls of coconut oil and bacon-wrapped-in-more-bacon (if they do, send them our way so we can show them the delicious things we eat!!). Happy people will want you to be happy, and for you to live your best life, and they will support you in that.

Regardless of whether you continue to follow a keto or low carb diet, or you take a pause, just promise me and yourself that you won’t beat yourself up for whatever decision you make. Be kind to yourself.

If you’re interested in seeing what a yummy Christmas Eve keto-friendly menu can look like, then check out my recent vlog below!