So… full transparency. 

I’ve been talking a lot about slowing down, locking in, and creating a steady, sattvic December > and then I promptly got absolutely hammered by work, family, end-of-year logistics, and life in general. 

Classic. 

If you’re feeling like despite your best intentions, December has swept you up a bit, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong. This season is full, socially, emotionally, energetically, and that has a very real impact on our nervous system, digestion, appetite, and decision-making. 

This is actually where Ayurveda can be so helpful. Not as a set of food rules or restrictions, but as guidance, guardrails, and a way to keep feeling good while still participating in this special time of year. 

So rather than pretending December is calm and orderly (I really tried! Haha), let’s meet it as it is, and ourselves where we’re at.

A Gentle Ayurvedic Lens on Christmas Nutrition 

In Ayurveda, food is the first pillar of health. Not because it needs to be perfect, but because digestion and what we eat sits at the centre of our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

Ayurveda doesn’t ask: 

“What should I eat?” 

It asks: 

“What can I digest, assimilate, and tolerate right now, in this season, in this state, with this level of stress?” 

This is known as Constitutional Nutrition and it recognises that: 

• digestion changes under stress 

• appetite changes with routine disruption 

• tolerance changes with sleep loss 

• and how you eat often matters more than what you eat 

So instead of restriction, here are some feel-good Ayurvedic guidelines for navigating Christmas nourishment. 

1. Protect Agni First (Your Digestive Fire) 

When agni is steady, you can enjoy richer foods with far fewer consequences. 

Support it by: 

• eating at regular times most days 

• favouring warm, cooked meals over cold or raw 

• avoiding constant grazing 

• leaving space between meals when possible 

You don’t need to avoid festive foods, just avoid overloading digestion all day long. 

Think: meals, not a continuous eating event. 

2. Eat With Attention 

Ayurveda is deeply concerned with assimilation, not just intake. 

Simple practices that help: 

• sit down to eat when you can 

• take a breath before your first bite 

• chew a little more than usual 

• stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed 

This alone dramatically reduces bloating, heaviness, and that “ugh” feeling. 

3. Warmth Is Your Friend 

December in Australia is quite hot and stimulating: long days, heat, social activity, nervous system load. 

Balance that with: 

• warm breakfasts (porridge, stewed fruit, eggs, soups) 

• warm drinks over iced 

• cooked vegetables alongside richer foods 

Warmth soothes vata, supports digestion, and stabilises appetite. 

4.  Don’t Skip Meals to “Make Up For It” 

This is a big one. 

Skipping meals often leads to: 

• blood sugar swings 

• overeating later 

• stronger cravings 

• more digestive upset 

Ayurveda prefers regular nourishment over restriction > stability and regulation beats compensation every time. 

5. Build in Digestive Recovery Windows 

After bigger meals or social days: 

• eat simply the following meal 

• choose soups, stews, kichari, or easy-to-digest foods 

• drink warm water or herbal teas 

• move gently (walking is perfect) 

This isn’t to ‘cleanse’; it’s just letting digestion catch up. 

6. Remember: Mind, Body, Digestion Are Linked 

Stress, fatigue, and overstimulation directly affect appetite and digestion. 

This is why Ayurveda always pairs nutrition with: 

• daily movement 

• nervous system regulation 

• sleep rhythm 

• breath, meditation, or quiet time 

You don’t need to do all of it. But one grounding practice a day makes fgood ood choices feel easier. 
 

If You Want More Support 

If you’re craving a steadier, more informed approach to food and self-care without rules, guilt, or extremes, this is exactly what we cover inside Ayurvedic Wellness Coaching. 

And if you’re just getting started, our free courses are a beautiful entry point: 

Discover Ayurveda and Discover Yoga offer simple education, practices, and classes to help you understand your body, digestion, and daily rhythm so you can head into the new year feeling supported, not behind. 

December can be delightfully hectic, and we can slow down, lock in gently, and still enjoy the season, even if we wobble along the way. 

Well wishes, 

Sami xo