6 Tips For A Healthy Holiday Season
Here’s to a healthy holiday season.
‘Tis the season…of parties, booze, and all the sweets! All this holiday cheer and festivities can quickly derail the health goals you worked on all year. Here are 6 tips for a healthier holiday season that will keep you feeling lean, focused, and still jolly!
Eat regularly. Skipping meals is the easiest way to guarantee you overeat at your holiday party. By not fueling yourself properly throughout the day you are setting yourself to binge out once it’s party time, which will leave you feeling sluggish and crappy the next day. Instead, stick to eating every 3-4 hours during the day, focusing on veggies and lean protein (like eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken, or fish). And then when it’s time for the holiday cheer, you’ll feel more in control of the food choices you make.
Load up on veggies. The high fiber content in vegetables will fill you up and keep you full, leaving you less susceptible to all the fried food. First, scope out all the food at the buffet before you eat anything. Aim to fill up on the vegetable options like crudite, kimchi, shishito peppers, grilled veggies, caponata, lettuce cups, tomato and mozzarella salad. And then, add in the lean proteins like shrimp cocktail, cheese, or a slider.
Selectively indulge. Make sure you choose one delicious option to indulge in and then enjoy every bite. Thoughtlessly picking at all the holiday cookies and candy will not satisfy you the same way as having one that you mindfully savor. So, scan all the desserts first and then pick your favorite, and then get right back to mingling with your friends and family and focusing on what the holidays are about.
Booze wisely. The alcohol is flowing fast and furious this time of year, so you need to be selective of the nights you drink and the nights you keep dry. Maybe you skip the booze on weeknights, or maybe you only drink the 3 nights this week when you have events. Aim for a 1:1 ratio of water (or seltzer) to booze, as this will help slow down your drinking, keep you hydrated, keep you more aware of your food choices, and ease any potential next day hangovers.
Don’t ditch the gym. Don’t let your gym time get lost in the hectic holiday shuffle. If you need some extra help getting there ask a friend to meet you for a walk or a class. The feel good hormones (looking at you, endorphins) will help fight the stress that usually creeps up this time of year, while helping you to stay focused on your goals, a win-win!
Sleep deep. Getting enough sleep helps fight stress and curb food cravings, both of which lead to overeating and weight gain. Make sleep a priority by keeping a strict time to turn in and put your phone away at least 30 minutes before you turn in…I know, I know, but that screen’s light is doing your health goals no favors!
For your own personalized nutrition plan to navigate the holiday season, email us at brigitte@bznutritionny.com or reach out to us here.
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