With the holidays around the corner that means lots of holiday parties with lots of food. It seems like the most dreaded thing about the holiday season is everyone says they eat too much. How do you try to stay on track with your nutrition when you are constantly exposed to food that is not always the healthiest of options?
First things first, check in with yourself by asking “Am I actually hungry or am I just eating to eat? Do I find myself heading back to the chips or cookies because they are there or because I am close to them”? If you don’t actually feel hungry try to avoid consuming extra food.
Here are a few tips that should help you this year.
1. Drink Water
Drinking water is not only important to keep your body hydrated, but it will also help keep your body full. Sometimes your body mistakes hunger for thirst so you feel hungry and eat whatever is in front of you; however if you just had a glass of water you would feel satisfied. Try to have a glass of water before you eat so you are more full, and for every alcoholic beverage follow it with one glass of water.
2. Provide healthier options
You don’t always have control of food options during the holidays. Especially when you are a guest at a party, but fortunately you do when you host! Along with the added benefit of having to clean, organize, and entertain everyone during the party you get to choose what foods will be served. Try adding some healthy options such as fruit salads, vegetable spreads, and hummus as appetizers. Make sure for dinner you have a lean protein, vegetable, and healthy carbohydrate option.
3. Have a healthy snack before so you’re not so hungry
Unfortunately you can’t host every single party and you probably don’t want too. Not all parties are going to provide healthy options so trying to have a healthy snack before you go will help. Having a healthy snack will provide you with the proper nutrients you need and keep your more full during the party. This way you can still eat something at the party but you don’t feel like you’re starving and need to eat boatloads. A few snack ideas are a protein shake, vegetables and hummus, peanut butter and vegetables, or apple and peanut butter. (MMMMMhhhh, yummy)!
4. Enjoy yourself
Last and probably my favorite tip is to just enjoy yourself and get things back on track the next day! The holiday season comes once a year, if you have a party to go to don’t think about eating perfectly, just enjoy yourself have some fun and good food. The key is to get your nutrition back on track the following days with protein, fruits and veggies. Just like eating healthy for one day doesn’t magically help you lose weight or reach your goals, eating a little unhealthy one day isn’t going to ruin everything. Problems start to occur when that party turns into a week of unhealthy eating. If you can enjoy yourself one day and get right back to plan the next GO FOR IT!
One of the worst things you can do is try go on a “Cleanse” or “Detox” after a holiday party. Reason being they actually do not cleanse or detox anything. In fact, you will just find yourself more hungry after and potentially eat more food. I mean, how many times have you or someone you know has said “After Xmas or the New Year, I am going on this diet or this cleanse/detox plan”. This is usually followed up by a few weeks of strict eating, feeling hungry all the time, and little to no progress. During the holidays you should not feel like you are punishing yourself for living life and enjoying an event! Remember, it’s about being consistent keeping it simple, don’t overcomplicate it.
Hope these tips help provide a good guide to staying healthy and having a great and happy holiday season!
