Free To Celebrate Guilt-Free

As someone who follows the PFC3 approach to eating (focusing on whole, minimally processed foods), I’m all about nourishing my body for optimal health. But let's be honest — holidays are special, not everyday occurrences. They include connecting with loved ones, enjoying delicious foods, and indulging without guilt.

I am more than just a body requiring proper nutrition. I have a spirit that requires deepening my relationships with others and soul-filling traditions. In my family, these traditions include laughter and recipes that have been handed down unaltered! I am not just tasting that dish that looks so amazing, smells delicious, and is calling my name—I am going to gobble it up while laughing and retelling family stories.

Sure, I may not always feel my best after consuming heavy celebratory dishes or sugary treats, but when my blood sugar is stabilized, I can thrive—both physically and spiritually.

So, how do you celebrate with indulgence and still stay healthy? Here’s my guide to enjoying every bite while keeping your health in check.

Unruly Julie’s 10 Rules for Celebrating with Sumptuous Food While Maintaining Health

1. Plan Your Meals in Advance

Meal planning is the foundation for a healthful celebration. Start by planning your meals for the days leading up to the gathering, the celebration day itself, and a few days afterward. Planning ahead helps you stay on track and prevents last-minute scrambling for unhealthy options.

Bonus: A detailed meal plan makes creating your grocery list a breeze (I aim for 5-6 balanced meals per day).

2. Set Your Mealtimes

Write out a clear meal schedule for each day, with meals spaced about 3 hours apart. Each meal should include a balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to stabilize your blood sugar, which keeps your energy levels up. When you prepare well, your body will be better equipped to handle the coming food and activity.

3. Stick to a Healthy Routine on the Day of the Celebration Meal

On the big day, don’t stray from a healthy meal routine. Eat your first meal within one hour of waking up and continue with regular meal intervals throughout the day (ideally every 3-4 hours).

No skipping meals or trying to "save calories" for later in the day. This wrecks the blood sugar balance you have so intentionally been gifting yourself.

4. Indulge Without Guilt

When the time comes, enter into the merrymaking wholeheartedly! When it is time to eat, continue to do so with full enjoyment—no guilt attached!

Relish the experience, savor the flavors, and remember that eating is as much about the social and emotional connection as it is about the food. Stay present in the moment by using your mind to focus on all the pleasures of the gathering. Express love to those around you, enjoy every bite, and let the occasion fill you with joy.

5. Eat a Balanced Meal After the Festivities

If your celebration meal is dinner, wait 3-4 hours before eating again. Even if you’re not hungry, make sure to eat at least half of a balanced PFC meal before going to bed.

This helps your body return to its normal state and stabilizes your blood sugar for the next day.

6. Expect Carb Cravings the Next Day

It’s common to crave carbs or feel sluggish after a celebration meal. On the day after letting loose, take a moment to express gratitude for the extravagance and for your body’s ability to manage the sugar spikes.

Stay grounded in this feeling of gratitude and fuel your body with whole, nutrient-dense foods to help you reset.

7. Set a Positive Intention for the Day

Start your day with a positive mindset by setting an intention. For example, say to yourself:

"Today, I will fuel my body the way it was designed to be fueled."

This simple act of mindfulness can help you stay aligned with your health goals, especially during the days after unrestricted soul-filling food. The goal is to prevent sliding into a habit of mindlessly eating copious amounts of food.

8. Stick to Your Meal Plan

Continue eating the balanced meals from your written meal plan.

By sticking to the plan, you’ll help your body prepare to celebrate by being well-nourished. Continuing to eat whole, clean, minimally processed foods after the celebration will replenish your body and help it return to balance.

9. Incorporate Extra Movement

Movement is key for resetting your body after a period of unrestricted eating. A brisk walk or a light workout can help you get back into balance and restore your body to homeostasis.

Bonus: Movement helps combat any sluggishness you might feel the day after indulging.

10. Give Your Body a Break Before the Next Indulgence

Give yourself a break!

Wait at least a week to recover before indulging again. This break allows your body the time it needs to reset, stabilize, and return to optimal health before another round of festive eating.

Need Help Staying on Track During Celebrations and Special Occasions?

This is a time for joy, family, and celebration—and they should be! But that doesn’t mean you have to throw away your health goals in the process.

If you need extra support to create a personalized plan or to stay on track, I’m here to help! Together, we can make these moments both joyful and health-focused.

Coach Julie: I help women break free from the dieting rollercoaster, lack of energy and overwhelm of not knowing how to get control back of their daily life by creating balance, boosting their energy naturally, and embracing a lifestyle that nourishes both body and spirit. 

📩 Reach out to me at: [email protected]