For many people, the holidays are about comfort food, celebration, and gathering around the table. But if you’re living with Lyme disease and carefully managing your diet, this season can feel less joyful — and more exhausting.
Holiday Foods Can Trigger Lyme Symptoms
If you have Lyme disease, the holidays can feel surprisingly difficult — especially when you need to be careful about what you eat. While others are celebrating, you may find yourself worrying about food, managing symptoms, or trying not to overdo it.
Many people with Lyme notice that certain foods make their symptoms flare. Unfortunately, these foods are everywhere during the holidays.
Sugar, alcohol, gluten, dairy, and heavy or processed foods can increase inflammation and make symptoms like fatigue, body pain, brain fog, anxiety, headaches, or neck pain much worse.
Sometimes the reaction happens quickly. Other times it shows up the next day.
Changes in Routine Can Trigger Flares
Lyme symptoms often feel more manageable when life is predictable. During the holidays, routines are often disrupted—sleep schedules change, meals are irregular, travel increases, and medications or supplements may be taken late or missed.
Even small changes can push your body into a flare, leaving you wondering why you suddenly feel worse.
It’s Hard to Know What’s in the Food
When you don’t prepare the food yourself, it’s easy to run into hidden ingredients. Sauces, gravies, and dressings often contain sugar, vinegar, wine, or additives that can trigger symptoms—even if the meal looks “safe.”
This can make eating at gatherings feel stressful instead of enjoyable.
Social Pressure Is Exhausting
Holidays often come with pressure to eat certain foods or explain your choices. Being told to “just have a little” or repeatedly answering questions can be draining.
Stress alone can worsen Lyme symptoms. Having to defend your needs can make it even harder on your body.
The Holidays Take More Energy Than You Have
Between travel, social events, and longer days, the holidays can push you past your limits. Overdoing it—even in small ways—can lead to crashes that last days or weeks.
What looks like normal holiday fatigue to others can feel overwhelming when you’re living with Lyme disease.
Feeling Left Out Can Hurt
Food is a big part of connection and tradition. When you can’t eat what others are eating, it’s normal to feel sad, frustrated, or isolated.
These feelings are real, and they matter. Living with Lyme means making adjustments that others don’t have to think about.
Tips for Getting Through the Holidays
- Bring a food you know you can eat
- Eat before events so you’re not hungry
- Focus on spending time with people, not the food
- Rest before and after gatherings
- Set boundaries without guilt—you don’t owe explanations
Do you have any suggestions about navigating the holidays? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
