HEALTHY EATING TIPS

Keep your health goals intact to minimize undoing some of your positive results to date.

Have you made some healthy diet and lifestyle changes but concerned about how to stay on track during the holidays? You may be asking yourself how you can survive the holidays when you’re trying to stay healthy and nobody else around you seems to be concerned about being healthy.   The food choices that are available at holiday parties and events can be challenging and overwhelming as they are not always “figure or health friendly”.  Yikes! The anxiety and stress over this is just as harmful to your health as the food. What ever will you do?

You may be considering throwing aside all that you’ve been doing so far, and just live with the extra ten pounds that you gain along with the sluggishness, inflammation, and lack of energy that may accompany it. This doesn’t have to be your story or outcome. If you implement appropriate strategies to navigate holiday parties and events to minimize eating or overeating harmful foods and maximize making conscious choices you, will only carry memories (not extra weight or waste) of a festive and joyful season.

Implement simple and sustainable strategies.

• Stay connected to your vision and goals. Visualize yourself feeling vibrant and full of energy instead of dragging additional weight and “waste” around when the season is over.
• Always take a “good, better, best” approach when selecting food and portions. Ask yourself if your selection will get you closer to your goal.
• Stay hydrated! Your body can confuse hunger with thirst. Drink as much water as you can (8 to 16 ounces) 30 minutes before meals.
• Take snacks and condiments like sea salt, raw nuts and seeds, an avocado, and apple cider vinegar in a small container. The snacks can be eaten alone or added to a salad or veggie dish to give them some “bulk” so that you feel full and satisfied.
• If you feel comfortable doing it, contact the host before the party or function to make sure you have something healthy to eat.
• Consider preparing your own food and taking enough to share. Remember it’s the holiday season, so prepare something that stimulates the senses and is fun and festive.
• Eat a filling meal before you go out. This is super important. You know what happens when you go food shopping when hungry…you buy more than you planned or make less healthy choices. Selecting items from a holiday buffet or plate will have the same effect.
• If you are hosting a party, consider replacing less healthy versions of recipes with more healthy versions. Do easy to replace desserts or side dishes. Don’t tell your friends or family it’s a healthier version. This may turn them off even if the food is delicious.
• Emotional eating…yep, its tempting. Sometimes you may just want to eat because the sights, sounds, and smells remind you of your childhood and traditions. Consider this an opportunity to establish new traditions. Not ready to do this yet…no problem! Don’t overindulge. Consider just eating a bite or two; no more. Don’t judge yourself.   Remember you are making a mindful; not mindless decision or choice.