7 Tips for Eating healthy through the holidays
Holiday parties, family gatherings and big meals are right around the corner. That means a lot of food, alcohol, and more holiday treats than any one person needs.
I’m not going to tell you to not eat all the holiday treats because a) that’s unrealistic and b) that would just be mean. The best way to maintain your healthy eating through the holidays is balance and utilizing the 7 easy tips below.
1) Choose your cheats and treats wisely. Make sure that the food you are about to eat is worth is. Ask yourself the following questions before digging in:
a) Is it your favorite? Go for it!
b) Is it going to make you feel sick and bloated? Then don’t eat it!
If you don’t love pumpkin pie, don’t eat it! Enjoy the other foods and avoid the ones that aren’t going to satisfy you.
2) Eat healthy when possible.
a. If you know you’re going to indulge in foods and adult beverages that may not be so healthy at a holiday party in the evening, then make sure your breakfast and lunch that day are healthy and satisfying. Get in your protein, healthy fats, and vegetables in the meals before your splurging and then enjoy your splurges. It’s all about balance right?
b. Most parties will have some healthy options in addition to the unhealthy ones, like veggie and meat trays. Add some veggies and meat to your plate and fill up on these first before reaching for the dessert and other treats.
3) Set yourself up for success. Don’t keep extra treats at home. If you know that having a candy bowl lying around your house means you’re going to grab some every time you walk by, then don’t put it out! Wait until you have guests over and then put it out, and put it away once they are gone.
a. My guilty pleasure is sugar cookies with sprinkles and I know that if I buy them and have them in the house, I want to eat them all. So, I don’t buy them unless we are having guests! I keep them out of our house until we are having people over that I can share them with because if left alone with them, I will eat them ALL.
4) Drink water.
a. Keeping yourself hydrated is important all the time, but especially if you’re going to be splurging on unhealthy foods and drinking alcohol. A lot of times thirst is mistaken for hunger and so making sure that you are drinking enough water will ensure that you’re not overeating on those unhealthy foods when in reality, your body just needs more water. Make sure you’re drinking enough water with these easy tips.
b. Drinking water helps you detox and so making sure that you’re drinking enough water throughout the day will help your body get rid of the extra toxins and sugars you’re consuming.
c. If you’re drinking alcohol, you want to drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage. By keeping you hydrated and helping your liver detox, drinking water one for one with your adult beverages can also help prevent a hangover. Balance your alcohol intake with water and your body will thank you the next morning.
5) Don’t overdo it.
a. If you’re going to splurge, pick your favorites and enjoy them, but don’t overdo it. What does that mean? It means go for that slice of chocolate cake and enjoy it, but stop at one. You don’t need to have 2 slices of cake plus cookies and candy to enjoy your dessert. Pick your favorite and stop there. Set reasonable limits and feel good about it.
6) Maintain your regular healthy habits. Just because it’s the holiday season, doesn’t mean all of your healthy habits need to go on vacation too. Keep up the exercise, the healthy eating when possible, your water intake, and your regular stress-busting habits.
a. Maintaining your regular exercise routine is especially important if you know you’re going to be eating less healthy than you normally do. It will help balance out your indulgences by boosting your metabolism, relieving stress, and boosting your immune system.
b. Traveling during this holiday season? Even if you’re traveling, look for healthy food options when you can and squeeze exercise into your travel schedule wherever you can. This will be of huge benefit to your health and may be the difference between you gaining that holiday weight that always seems to find you during the holiday season, and maintaining your current health!
c. The holidays can be a stressful time and so keeping up with your regular stress-relieving habits can help combat the extra stress. Looking for extra stress-busting tips? Check out these easy ways to destress naturally.
7) Ditch the guilt and enjoy yourself!
a. Don’t feel guilty about any unhealthy treats, enjoy them. If you are going to eat treats and drink alcohol, then enjoy it. You’re not doing anyone any good by doing it and then feeling bad about it. As long as you are consuming foods that you like and not overdoing it, there is nothing to feel guilty about.
The holidays should be a time of celebration, happiness and family. Don’t let the stress or guilt of the holidays get you down. From Dr. Christina Sahni’s Portland Naturopathic practice, enjoy all the season has to offer!