I love holiday food. But I do know that it can be overwhelming for many trying to lose weight or just watch their weight. It’s time for Christmas or other holiday parties, New Year celebrations. Moms everywhere are cooking way more than enough food and constantly pushing their tasty wares, colleagues are bringing treats into work, the smells everywhere are pumpkin spice and savory—it’s too much! However, there are things you can do to combat these attempts at sabotage. Here are some tips for healthy holiday eating.
Make healthy swaps
You can choose to make healthy swaps for your favorite recipes (I can’t seem to do that because I enjoy the flavors I grew up with, which included things like butter, full cream, etc).
Moderation
Always use moderation. It’s the holidays and you don’t want to deprive yourself of those yummy dishes, but have a moderate serving of each, not half the pie or whatever it is. You can do it.
Stay hydrated
You’re more likely to feel hungry if you’re dehydrated, so keep the water coming. Drink a glass before you head to dinner and keep your water glass close. This can help curb your appetite. And water is good for you anyway!
Best goal is maintenance
Your best bet is to aim for maintaining your current weight, because trying to lose weight during the holidays can actually lead to weight gain! By depriving yourself of the things you love, when you do finally indulge yourself with “just a taste,” you’re more likely to go a bit overboard since you’re feeling hungrier than usual while dieting.
Just think about it…you’re at a party or with family and the pie comes your way. “Just a little taste,” you tell yourself. Then, before you know it, a whole slice is gone! “What happened? Oh no. Well, I might as well have one of those cookies I’ve been eyeing, and a glass of eggnog, too.” When you let yourself slip, sometimes you just let yourself go all the way, and that leads to way more calories than you planned for. If you just allow yourself the goal of maintaining, that can be easier.
Realize that you’re going to eat
Let’s face it, you’re going to eat. The holidays are not the time to deprive yourself and limit your time around people just because you’re afraid to eat too much. Have fun, enjoy yourself, and try to eat in moderation and keep up your exercise. Don’t beat yourself up for eating too much or eating something “bad.” Just pick back up as soon as possible and you’ll be fine.
Eat before you go
That can help to curb your appetite. Opt for something filling and healthy, then head to your party. If you’re not sure if there will be anything healthy, take your own healthy dish and fill up on that. While you’re at it, choose veggies. The fiber helps fill you up and they’re good for you! While you’re at it, just go for your favorites! Only eat your favorites, instead of everything. Choose what you really want to eat, and eat those things.
Alcohol
This can be the easiest (or hardest) way to avoid extra calories. That eggnog? A creamy calorie bomb. Maybe skip it or, at least, stick to one.
Most importantly, stay active!
Staying active during the holidays can help counter those extra calories, give you a boost in energy, and help you sleep at night. All good things! While you’re planning those holiday parties, the shopping, gift wrapping, and baking, make plans to work out, too. If you plan it, you’re more likely to stick to it.
But don’t worry. Enjoy yourself this wonderful time of year, and I’m here for you if you need some extra help before, during, and after. Here’s to healthy holiday eating with these tips!
-Ashlen
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