Many holiday traditions revolve around food. Our favorite seasonal foods can bring us together and be the highlight of family celebrations. But for many people, holiday eating can also cause stress and anxiety. How can you enjoy holiday celebrations and eat the foods you love while avoiding the negative feelings that often result from overeating?

Join registered nutritionist dietitian Meg Burnham and Certified Research Chef Nicole Linke to learn how to enjoy holiday foods in a healthy, sustainable way. Meg will talk about reducing stress by changing your mindset toward holiday eating — reframing your nutrition thinking to an "add" approach, rather than a "take away" approach. Meg also share some new meal ideas that are full of holiday flavors and satisfy and nourish your body.

Meg says: “For those looking to lose weight or prevent weight gain, following an intuitive eating approach and allowing yourself to eat your holiday favorites, rather than a restrictive approach, is more likely to help you reach your goals long-term.”

Speakers:

Meg Burnham, M.S., RDN, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, NIU Campus Dining Services, and Nutrition Coach for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Nicole Linke, CRC (Certified Research Chef), Product Development and Innovation Manager with The Suter Company

Northern Illinois University STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in our everyday lives. They are offered in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association and made possible with support from Bayer Fund.