The holidays are officially… a lot. There’s the food, obviously. But there’s also the family dynamics, the travel, the “just have another slice!” comments, and that sneaky pull to keep everyone else happy while quietly abandoning what you actually want and need.

In this episode, I’m joined by licensed mental health therapist Katie McKenna, a licensed mental health therapist (LMHC) and certified nutritionist who specializes in eating disorders, anxiety, and chronic illness. Together, we dig into the emotional side of holiday eating and the practical strategies you can use so you don’t roll into January feeling like a hungover Pinterest board.

We talk about how to prepare for events ahead of time, how to spot when eating is “not about the eating,” and how people pleasing around food is often really self-abandonment in disguise. You’ll hear ideas for starting non-food traditions (crafts, walks, projects), ways to handle comments about what’s on your plate, and how to deal with food gifts and leftovers without turning into a human trash can.

You can find Katie McKenna on her website ⁠here⁠, or on her YouTube channel here!

Past episodes with Katie:

The Perfectionism Trap

Weight Loss Plateaus

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If this episode helped you feel a little more prepared for holiday eating, please follow and rate the podcast, and send it to a friend who’s already stressing about the dessert table.