Hey Noosers! We know this is a really, really busy time of year. If you’re anything like us, sitting down with a cup of coffee on Monday morning to read a newsletter sounds ideal—but it’s probably not happening. So, we recorded this week’s edition for you from the car (complete with the rain pitter-patter) so you can listen while you’re wrapping presents, working out, or just trying to survive the holiday haze.
You can listen or read — they are the same and you won’t miss anything, since we used our transcript to create the Noosletter this week. Yay for technology when you’re pinched for time.
If you like what you read today, click the ❤️ at the top or bottom of this post so more readers like you can find us on Substack!
two quick tips we tell ourselves and our clients
Last week, we talked about being mentally and metabolically flexible to enjoy the fun this time of year. Those year-long habits really support you during the holidays. But if you just need a couple of quick tips to get you through the next couple of weeks — we’re on it.
At the end of the day, it’s usually just a meal or two. And if you believe that, and know that you can get right back on track after—it helps avoid the “snowball” effect. You know, when one bad decision rolls into a nasty streak.
These next two weeks are so unique, where we’re all asking “what day is it?” and “what is happening?” You’re going to have food around that you normally don’t, whether you’re cooking, going somewhere, or buying that festive eggnog at Stewart’s.
So here are a few tips that might really be helpful.
Tip #1: Be a Food Snob (The Good Kind!)
We’ve written about this before, and yes, this is a good snob to be.
There are going to be so many temptations out there—holiday parties, cocktail parties, food getting passed around, everyone bringing something to be helpful at family gatherings. It’s hard to be decisive about what you’re actually going to eat.
Here’s the trick: We eat with all of our senses. Our eyes see things that look appetizing, we smell delicious aromas. But sensory appeal doesn’t always equal genuine desire. When you pause to ask yourself what you truly want, you can be more intentional.
If you don’t genuinely want it, don’t eat it. It’s not worth wasting calories on things that don’t actually satisfy you or leave you too full to enjoy what you really wanted.
Don’t just eat things because they’re there. Be a little picky. Love the cheese puffs? Great! Have them. But skip the sweaty cheese and crackers that don’t look that great just because you’re standing there talking to someone.
The worst thing is leaving full from random foods you didn’t even enjoy.
Pro tip: Take a few bites of something. Try it. But if you don’t love it, do not continue eating it. You can wrap it in a napkin, shift it around on your plate—however you need to be stealth about it. If it doesn’t taste absolutely delicious, don’t settle.
We know it’s hard when you’re around food pushers—whether it’s grandma or that one friend. When they say “that’s all you’re eating?” you can say “I’m good, thanks!” or “I’m saving room for dessert” or just “Mm, so delicious, thank you!”
Bottom line: Be a food snob and really enjoy the things you love. Don’t waste time, effort, or calories on things you don’t.
Tip #2: Sensory Specific Satiety (Try Saying That Five Times Fast!)
We’ve written about this one before, too. Here’s what it means: there’s a decrease in pleasure while consuming a particular food. Those first two bites tend to always be 10/10. But we rarely take time to notice that. A lot of the time we’re eating fast or talking to someone, but those first few bites are always the best.
A real-life example: Last weekend at Bromley, we got French fries. They were lit—probably the best French fries ever. Hot, crispy, fresh off the ski mountain. We were a little cold, a little hungry, and paired them with an Aperol spritz. Heaven.
That first French fry? Brain going crazy. Amazing. Electric.
The sixth French fry compared to the first French fry? They don’t hit the same.
Treat it like an experiment: Have that first bite of pizza, burger, cheese puff, whatever. Feel your brain literally going bonkers— “This is just as good as I thought it was going to be!” (If not, be a food snob and don’t eat it!) Then check back in with yourself after the first three bites and ask “where are we at?” It’s definitely muted.
Taste satisfaction is often achieved with just a few bites. You have to be aware. That’s the really big takeaway here: awareness and self-reflection.
If you’ve sworn off certain things or think “once I start, I can’t stop,” this awareness helps you confidently stop when you’ve had enough.
This isn’t about deprivation or making rigid rules. Sometimes you’ll be really hungry and that fifth bite will still be fabulous— and that’s wonderful! Wereally encourage you to try this experiment. Pick something a little indulgent and notice what you think from the first bite to the middle to the last bite. It’s fascinating when you actually pay attention.”
Bonus Tips
For Christmas morning (or whatever morning you’re celebrating): Whether it’s Cinnabons, bacon, fresh-squeezed orange juice—eat slow. Embrace the morning. Enjoy.
Food just tastes different when you’re aware and you slow down.
Chew a lot. We know, we know—we’re guilty of wolfing down our food, too. But when you remember to chew and slow it down just a tiny bit (it’s not a race!), it’s amazing. Plus, digestion starts in your mouth, salivary amylase is an enzyme in saliva that begins breaking down starches into simpler sugars in the mouth. When we totally skip that part, it’s not good digestion-wise either.
Which brings us to that post-holiday feeling. You know the one—”oof, I’m so stuffed, I feel sluggish and heavy?” The way to minimize that is supporting your digestion by chewing thoroughly, eating at a reasonable pace, and checking in with how you’re actually feeling instead of just plowing through.
The Bottom Line
We hope these couple tips will help you, Noosers! We’ll be thinking about them too!
Try to find what works for you. Experiment with different approaches and pay attention to what actually helps you feel better. And if you don’t nail it every time? We won’t either—that’s just being human. The power is in the next choice. At your next meal, drink some water, move around a little bit, and get back to what makes you feel good.
It’s all gonna be fine. You’re not going to get it perfect, and that’s completely okay. The sun will rise tomorrow, and we’ll be here on Monday ready to support you through it all.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy this beautiful, chaotic, delicious time.
Until next time…
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