The year-end holidays are here, and it’s time to celebrate! The team at my weight loss clinics put together this list of our favorite tips to help you enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.
Be sure also to check out our healthy holiday recipes.
Healthy Holiday Party Tips
- Eat before arriving at parties, making sure to include some protein. This will help you stay satisfied longer and resist tempting treats.
- If appropriate, bring a dish with healthy foods like fruit and vegetables, deviled eggs with Miracle Whip Free, or a large salad.
- Drink water or club soda. If you drink alcohol, be very mindful, favor clear liquor and sugar-free mix, and avoid wine and beer. Drink water in between alcoholic drinks.
- Stand more than an arm’s length away from the snacks and food at the party and spend most of your time mingling.
- Choose your foods wisely and fill your plate with approved foods. If you’re eating from a menu, eat unauthorized items sparingly. Limit the number of carbohydrates on your plate.
- Choose smaller plates to avoid overeating.
- Eat breakfast. This has been proven to curb overeating later in the day.
- Pop a sugar-free mint in your mouth to help curb munching.
- Get up and dance!
Healthy Holiday Shopping Tips
- Take plenty of water and healthy snacks with you when you go shopping.
- Try to stick to your scheduled snack and meal times to reduce cravings and impulse eating.
- Good snack ideas include pre-sliced apples in individual packages, grapes, peanut butter and celery, nuts, dry-roasted edamame, light mozzarella cheese sticks, and turkey jerky.
- If you need to eat a meal out, avoid the food court. Restaurants usually offer better choices, such as grilled chicken breast and vegetables. For salad dressing, favor oil and vinegar or a low-fat dressing.
- Don’t forget to use the tsp of sugar calculation to factor your meal into your nutrition plan.
- Make a grocery list before you go to the store and stick to it.
Have a Healthy Holiday at Home & Work
- Keep a stash of healthy snack items handy to help avoid the holiday sweets and treats. A piece of fruit or half a Dr. Lara Protein Bar are great examples of healthy holiday snacks to curb the temptation.
- Don’t leave treats like chocolate on your desk for other people. This will be too much temptation too close.
- Practice saying “no” and don’t allow other people to influence you into eating something you know you shouldn’t.
- Incorporate celebration traditions that don’t revolve around food, like sharing a walk, playing games, or singing and dancing.
The holidays should be a fun time to celebrate with those we love. And let’s face it, the holidays can also be difficult due to increased pressures, strong emotions, and temptations. Holidays are an excellent time of year to focus on mindset and mindfulness with practices like journaling, positive self-affirmations, relaxation techniques, and of course, gentle daily exercise.
Talk to the people closest to you about your weight loss and wellness journey. Share your goals and the reasons why they’re important to you. You can be surprised by the support you receive, sometimes when you need it most and expect it least.
If you splurge on a meal or glass of wine, enjoy it, don’t beat yourself up, and get right back to your weight loss program the next day.
We wish you a very happy and healthy holiday and your best new year yet!