December 3, 2026 – Ask a Dietitian: Mindful eating for real life and celebrations

The Women and Gender-Diverse Physical Fitness and Wellness Program (Women’s Wellness Program) presents the final session in the Ask a Dietitian webinar series: Mindful eating for real life and celebrations.

The holiday season often brings changes in routine, increased social events, travel, stress, and greater exposure to festive foods. For military members, additional challenges such as leave periods, family commitments, and workplace gatherings can make it difficult to maintain healthy habits.

In this webinar, registered dietitian Christine Tardif will explore practical and sustainable approaches to navigating holiday eating without guilt or restriction. Participants will learn how mindful eating, balanced meal planning, hydration, and routine maintenance can support both physical and mental well-being during busy periods of the year.

This session focuses on building a healthy relationship with food while enjoying celebrations and maintaining realistic wellness goals.

• Date: Thursday, December 3, 2026
• Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (ET)
• Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
• Language: English (Click here for details on the French session)

Register now

What you will learn

• Recognize common challenges to maintaining healthy eating habits during celebrations and festive periods.
• Learn practical strategies to support balanced eating habits while still enjoying seasonal celebrations and special occasions.
• Explore the principles of mindful eating and how they can help improve your relationship with food and eating experiences.
• Discover simple approaches to building nutritious meals using tools such as the Healthy Plate Method.
• Understand Canada's low-risk alcohol guidance and how alcohol can affect health, performance, and well-being.
• Gain practical tips for navigating festive foods, managing portions, and maintaining healthy eating habits during the holiday season.

What you will need

The session will include a brief interactive exercise. Participants are encouraged to have one raisin available. An alternative dried fruit, such as a craisin or dried cranberry, may also be used.

About the speaker

Christine Tardif, MSc, RD, CDE
Education, Research and Development Officer – Nutrition, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)

Christine Tardif is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Officer with the PSP Human Performance Research & Development team, working with the Women’s Wellness Program at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). Since joining the program in 2023, she has contributed to the development of evidence-based nutrition resources and education initiatives supporting women across the Canadian Armed Forces, including participants in the Prenatal and Postpartum Physical Fitness Program (PNP3). Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition from the University of Western Ontario. She became a Registered Dietitian in 2015 and completed the International Olympic Committee’s Sport Nutrition Diploma in 2018. Her work focuses on sports nutrition, women’s health, and supporting the nutrition needs of military members across all stages of life and career.

Statement: Nutrition research is often conducted and reported using biological sex, and because of this, some content in this webinar series refers specifically to female physiology. We welcome all individuals who may benefit from this information and are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning environment.