It’s a fact. The holidays roll in and we give ourselves the mental break from healthy choices so we can indulge guilt free. We’re tugged by alluring aromas of roasted turkey, the treats from the dessert table and the oozing oven baked brie.
It’s completely glorious, we’ve all done it. Myself included. We’re human, life happens.
We’re human, yes. But we also hold strength with knowledge and willpower, awareness and choice. Let’s not let the promise of the guilt to follow, wreck our evening.
How do we keep our good eating habits in the face of all this temptation?
How to Stay Healthy Over the Holidays
1. Eat only what you really enjoy
Here’s a way to get the most pleasure at the buffet table. Instead of taking a little bit of everything, choose the dishes that have really caught your eye. Walk around the table, scope out the spread and take note of the items that interest you most. Then grab a plate and help yourself.
2. Bring a deliciously healthy food to the potluck
If you’re not sure whether your friends will bring veggies to the party, be the star and bring them yourself. Make a delicious spinach lasagna or bring some veggies and healthy dip. Yum!
3. Don’t hang around the buffet table
The buffet table isn’t the new water cooler. Serve yourself and step away from the food. The further you are from the buffet table, the less tempted you’ll be to graze. Engage yourself in other activities so you aren’t hyper focused on the platters of food. Talk with friends or introduce yourself to the new faces in the room. If you still find yourself struggling, turn your back on the food and get it out of your sight lines.
4. Actually leave room for dessert
There’s only room for dessert if you leave some. If the dessert looks fantastic, have a smaller dinner. Help yourself to a little less of the chicken pie to properly enjoy the chocolate cake. Also, plan ahead – if you know that the desserts after dinner will be too good to miss, pass on the brownies during lunch.
5. Water, water, water
Have a large glass of water before each meal. Drinking water will make you less tempted to overindulge. You’ll start dinner feeling a little full and be less tempted to have seconds. If you’re having alcohol at the party, drink some water before starting on each beverage. Also make sure to budget for the calories in drinks.
6. Suck a mint after you eat
Once you’re satisfied with your meal, suck a mint. Your taste buds will be cleansed and you will feel less tempted to keep eating.
7. Enjoy your veggies
Indulge in high-fiber, low-calorie, and delicious veggies. This is a tasty way to feel full without endangering your waistline. Having raw veggies also means you’ll take more time to enjoy your meal and help your brain recognize when you’re satisfied.
8. Don’t skip meals
Even if you anticipate a big dinner, don’t miss breakfast or lunch. Skipping meals seems like an obvious way to cut calories, but when dinner comes you’ll be tempted to overeat. More importantly, you might have low energy during the day. Eat smaller, healthy meals, but don’t skip them entirely.
9. Get moving
Make sure not to miss your regular exercise routine. If you don’t have time to hit the gym, go for walks. Parking one block over and take the stairs. Make sure to join in the dancing at the party! The more you move, the better you will feel.
Chew on this
Most importantly, enjoy yourself! You can do this. Christmas is about celebration and food is an essential element of how we celebrate. Enjoy time with your loved ones, relish the parties, and savour the food. Be smart about how you celebrate and you’ll have a good time even after the holidays.
