Thanksgiving. It’s the ultimate food-centric holiday. For some, the thought of a Thanksgiving feast can spark anxiety. Will the year’s dedication to eat healthfully fall by the wayside after one celebratory meal? The stretch from November through New Year’s can appear like an obstacle course of one holiday, event and workplace cookie tray after another. However, there are enough stressors surrounding the holidays—eating doesn’t need to be one of them. The following suggestions may help turn the table on anxiety and receive holiday meals with peace and joy.

Choose calories wisely. Chances are a slice of homemade pumpkin pie will be more satisfying than a store-bought cookie. Allow room for a few favorite treats and savor each bite.

Eat mindfully. Fast, mindless eating often goes hand-in-hand with overeating. Mindful eating involves enjoying food’s aroma, colors and flavors. It also involves pausing to recognize how the body is feeling. Comfortably satisfied? Give thanks and stop eating.

Keep digestion flowing. Give the digestive system a little extra support by drinking more water than usual, chewing food well and avoiding hard-to-digest foods. Consider receiving a colonic to help remove built-up waste.

Clean meals at home. Balance the inevitable indulgences with nutritious, day-to-day meals. Add extra vegetables to your dinner plate, cut back on starches and sugars and skip the processed snacks.

Bring mindfulness and appreciation to the holiday table and make gathering with family and friends a joyous and nourishing part of the season.

Christine Tentilucci is the marketing manager for Inner Spa, a fully organic, holistic, eco-friendly wellness spa in Newtown. For more information, call 215-968-9000, email [email protected] or visit InnerSpa.org and InnerVitalitySpa.com. November 2017