New Year, Same Diet: How Social Scripts Shape Seasonal Eating

As December’s celebrations fade and January’s “new year, new you” messages take center stage, it becomes challenging to escape the flood of advice on what to eat, how to work out, and the appearance we’re meant to have. This session explores eating behaviours through a biopsychosocial lens, with a particular focus on the social narratives that shape our relationship with food, specifically during the holidays and New Year period.

We’ll examine how cultural standards, media influences, body ideals, and weight-centric health messages all play a part. Through open reflection and real-life examples, we will deepen our understanding of how these social influences impact eating behaviors and body image. We’ll also discuss practical strategies for bringing compassion and flexibility in a given context.