Holiday Food Chaos

<p>Episode Title: “Chaotic Holiday Eating”</p> <p>Intro: In this episode, Tracy interviews Stacy Schilter-Pisano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist / Supervisor, and Site Manager at The Emily Program in Lacey, WA. Stacy and Tracy help listeners understand why some people struggle with food, eating and body image, especially during the Holidays.  </p> <p> </p> <ol> <li>Why do people experience chaos around food, especially during the Holidays?</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Internal Stressors = Thoughts that are distressing. 60% of the time, people are thinking: What did I eat? What will I eat? What do I look like? What do I weigh?</li> <li>External Stressors = Situations or events that happen in the world that are distressing <ul> <li>Family togetherness when family members make negative comments</li> <li>Isolation from family or friends during the time of expected togetherness</li> <li>Financial concerns</li> <li>Busy Schedules, School and Work</li> <li>Returning home from college during the holidays and facing possible judgment</li> <li>Family comments about how your body has changed (appearance-related comments)</li> <li>COVID-19 and the impact of isolation on our body shape and size</li> </ul> </li> <li>TIP: Be aware of / avoid any appearance-related comments (i.e. “You’ve got that COVID-19” or “You look great…you’ve lost weight”)</li> <li>TIP: Focus your comments on the person, and who they are (vs. what they look like)</li> </ul> <ol start="2"> <li>Food-Related Stressors: Family Comments about Food <ul> <li>“I shouldn’t be eating this” or “Today is my cheat day” <ol> <li>TIP: Enjoy the food and the company without excessive comments or pressure on yourself or others</li> </ol> </li> <li>“What you’re eating doesn’t look very good” or “You can really put it away” <ol> <li>TIP: Be mindful of your comments on someone else’s eating experiences</li> </ol> </li> <li>“You need to eat more (or less)” <ol> <li>TIP: Be supportive! Keep your loved ones out of the spotlight</li> </ol> </