Tips for Healthier Holiday Eating

The holiday season means gifts, parties, and food – lots of delicious but high-calorie food. Don’t deprive yourself of the culinary delights of the holiday season, you can still treat yourself.

But thinking holistically about your relationship with food can help you maintain healthy habits while enjoying the holidays.

Ways to eat healthy during the holidays

1. Make easy swaps when thinking about holiday food

You don’t have to go without your favorite holiday foods but doing some strategic swaps can make a difference. Try having roasted veggies rather than a veggie casserole or sparkling water rather than another glass of wine can be a great way to enjoy that holiday meal while also getting nutritional benefits.

2. Be strategic when filling your plate

Aim to fill up your plate 75% with the colorful good stuff first, like protein, crudités, salad, or other fruits and veggies. If those fried wings and cookies are staring you down, treat yourself with a few! But make sure to practice #4 when indulging.

3. Trade holiday stress-eating for activities that get you moving

If your stress level has maxed out, try a walk outside instead of to the kitchen. You could even suggest a walk after dinner or in between courses.

4. Practice mindful eating

If it’s not possible to ignore those gingerbread cookies, try practicing mindful eating. Eat slowly, engaging your senses when taking each bite in savoring all the textures and smells. Watch for physical hunger cues and eat until you feel full.

5. Offer to bring a healthy dish

Whether you know what will be on the table or not at the holiday gathering, offer to bring a veggie-filled dish. That way, you’re being helpful and healthy.

6. Don’t skip meals before holiday parties

Some think “saving up” calories gives them a free pass to eat all the cookies and pie later. Our partner, Foodsmart says this is a problem because you’ll show up to the party in a deprived state, causing your brain to make you hightail it to the refined carbs and sugar. After all, it’s looking for the quickest and easiest means of energy. Eat your usual well-rounded breakfast and lunch and have a healthy preparty snack like apple with almond butter, veggies and hummus, or a couple of hard-boiled eggs.

7. Get your Zzzzs

If you’re going out and staying out later than usual to get to holiday festivities, chances are your sleep habits are being disrupted too. Lack of sleep makes your body crave more and higher calorie foods.

Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

8. Avoid alcohol on an empty stomach

Alcohol can increase your appetite and diminishes your ability to control what you eat.

9. Don't feel guilty

If you do indulge, don’t beat yourself up. Make sure your next meal is balanced and incorporate exercise into your routines.

Enjoy your Holidays 

There are a lot of things you can do to keep up healthy habits during the season, from mindful eating to maintaining your regular sleep schedule. Try out one or two new healthy habits each day and find ones that work for your lifestyle and that you enjoy.