Welcome to the 12 Days of Mindful Eating Series! Each week I am dropping three episodes in the month of December to help you eat mindfully and feel your best. This season is all about gratitude, love, kindness and giving – yet, we do that with the people around us, and not so much ourselves.

But when we change the way we think, we change the way we eat (because it’s not about the food)! 

In this episode, we are talking about alcohol and why it’s so common to find yourself at the diner at 3AM and binging all day the next day (speaking from experience) maybe.

Day 8 of the Mindful Eating Series

Welcome to Day 8 of our Mindful Eating Series—and guess what? It’s the last episode of the year! Cue the confetti cannons and a silent nod of gratitude to the calendar for giving us an excuse to reflect (and overeat holiday cookies, no judgment here).

Now, this mini-series has been all about gratitude, love, kindness, and giving—but mostly, let’s face it, we’re better at dishing out those traits to others than to ourselves. That’s why these 12 tips are here: to sprinkle some kindness on your relationship with food, your body, and most importantly, yourself. Because when you shift your mindset toward self-love, the way you view food and your eating habits transforms too.

So buckle up, buttercup, because today’s topic is a big one: alcohol. Yep, we’re going there.

The Sober Truth About Alcohol and Eating

Let’s set the stage: You’re out for a night of fun. One margarita turns into three, and before you know it, you’re at a diner at 3 a.m., face-deep in a stack of pancakes bigger than your head. Sound familiar? Same. Been there, done that, and oh boy, the next day’s aftermath is a story.

Here’s the thing—alcohol doesn’t just make you the life of the party; it also lowers your inhibitions and judgment. That’s science for “Hello, impulse decisions!” If you’re on a mission to listen to your body or eat mindfully, that mission’s probably getting postponed until tomorrow. The result? You’re more likely to overeat, order fries you didn’t plan on, or turn a celebratory cocktail into a full-blown food fest.

But wait, there’s more. It’s not just the during that’s the problem—it’s the after that gets you, too. Alcohol often leaves us feeling like hot garbage the next day: anxious, depressed, and craving greasy comfort food to combat the hangover blues.

The Triple Threat of Alcohol’s Food Fallout

Let’s break it down:

1. Lowered Inhibitions: Say goodbye to smart food choices. Alcohol throws your “I’ll just have one slice” rule right out the window.
2. Emotional Fallout: Anxiety and depression love to crash the post-drinking party. To cope, we turn to comfort foods like pizza, burgers, or anything that comes with extra cheese.
3. Sleep Sabotage: Alcohol messes with your sleep. No REM cycle means your hunger hormones go haywire, making you ravenous and less likely to recognize when you’re full. That’s a perfect storm for a carb-and-sugar binge.

So, What’s the Solution?

Here’s the tea: I’m not here to tell you how to live your life (or what to drink). But if alcohol is messing with your food freedom, here are a few mindful tips:

• Hydrate Like a Boss: Drink water between alcoholic beverages. Your body (and tomorrow-you) will thank you.
• Fuel Up First: Eat a balanced meal before you drink. Think protein, healthy fats, and carbs—basically the anti-diner-run meal.
• Limit the Madness: Keep it to two drinks max if you can. It’s not a hard rule, just a suggestion for staying mindful.
• Reflect: Pay attention to how you feel after drinking. Are you anxious? Depressed? Waking up to text regrets and a craving for hash browns? That’s valuable info.

A Personal Note

For me, the decision to step away from alcohol came when I realized the next-day anxiety wasn’t worth it. (Also, three-day hangovers? Hard pass.) I’m not saying that’s the path for everyone, but recognizing how alcohol impacts your mental and physical health is a game-changer.

So, take a moment to reflect: How does alcohol show up in your life? Are your food choices tied to it? And most importantly, does it make you feel your best?

Looking Ahead

This is just the tip of the iceberg. We’ll dive deeper into drinking culture, mommy wine culture, and how alcohol shifts our relationships with food, body, and self in future episodes. But for now, here’s your takeaway: Be kind to yourself, make choices that align with your goals, and maybe skip the drunk texts to your ex. (Trust me, they’re not worth it.)

Catch you for Day 9, and cheers to mindful choices—with or without the booze!

Follow me for daily tips on Instagram! @kellylwellness

Are you ready to stop overeating and finally be in control around food? Watch my FREE training How to Stop Binge Eating (Without Cutting Out Your Favorite Foods) to learn how it’s possible!