Are you already feeling stressed about the holiday season? I get it. The holidays get busy, and it’s easy to get caught up in worrying about every little thing. If you’re worried about maintaining your healthy habits in the season of abundant holiday parties and overflowing baked goods, these tips are for you!
Never Go to a Party Hungry
If you head out the door on an empty stomach, you’ll end up eating whatever is available. That’s fine if there is a wide range of foods and you’re confident in your skills to eat only what you want, but if you’re met with mostly cheese balls, dips, and cookies, you’ll feel the effects in the morning. This doesn’t mean you have to skip out on holiday treats completely! Instead, eat a half-sized PFC meal before leaving the house. This way you can make rational choices and avoid feeling hangry!
Make Decisions in Advance
Decide ahead of time if you are going to go all-out and celebrate or if you’re going to be more conservative and serve your long-term health. It’s totally okay to let yourself celebrate the holidays and enjoy your meal to the fullest, and sometimes that means eating things you normally wouldn’t and eating more of them! It’s all about making intentional choices. If you’re going to go all-out, enjoy it without guilt. Just go right back to your PFC habits next meal. And if you decide to stick with your usual healthy habits for the evening, do that without guilt too. After all, it’s really not about the food–it’s about the company. So feel confident in your decision, whatever you choose!
Drink Responsibly
Always approach alcohol with care and intentionality. Drinking lowers your inhibitions, which leads to a myriad of poor choices (both food-wise and otherwise). And anything more than moderate alcohol consumption just isn’t good for your health. Check out this article from the CDC – long-term alcohol use can lead to all kinds of health issues–including heart disease, liver disease, memory problems, depression, and even a weakened immune system. Alcohol also slows your digestion and has no nutritional value.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have the occasional drink. If you decide to imbibe, plan your intake ahead of time and stick to it. Alternate between alcoholic drinks and glasses of water. You can even put your water in a festive glass with a lime or a sprig of mint so you still feel like part of the party atmosphere!
Don’t Skip Meals
It’s tempting to ‘save up’ for big events. Unfortunately, nutrition doesn’t work that way. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, leaving you feeling weak or tired. And when you’re extra hungry, you may end up eating more than you normally would, or eating whatever is available. Instead, focus on eating PFC foods that will keep you satisfied and nourished!
Listen to Your Body
Most of these tips boil down to this piece of advice. Listen to your body’s needs this holiday season. If you’re feeling tired, get some rest. If you’re hungry, eat something. Your body will tell you what it needs if you stop and listen.
Let Go of Guilt
You don’t need to feel guilty if you don’t follow your healthy habits perfectly throughout the holidays. Life is for living–so live yours to the fullest! If you are listening to your body and approaching your decisions with intention, you can create balance for yourself this holiday season.
Which of these tips resonates with you the most? All of the work I do is about creating balance, and that is still true during the holidays. But creating that balance doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to start creating a healthy lifestyle, join the 100 Days of 1%! It’s a PFC program to help you make small changes (1%) every day for 100 days. You can JOIN HERE!
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
