14 Tips to Keep You Healthy this Holiday Season
4 min
©foodspring
December is here. And with it come the sweet treats, tempting winter markets (well… some years), and special holiday dishes. To help you stay fit and keep your cool all through the most wonderful time of the year, our experts have put together 14 holiday eating tips on how to eat healthy through the holidays – and how to deal with holiday stress, too.
Only Eat the Things You Love
There are so many goodies that only pop up in December. But eat mindfully! If you’re just popping that holiday food into your mouth because it’s sitting in front of you, stop for a moment. Take the time to ask yourself if you’ll enjoy it. Save the calories for your absolute favorites, and skip the things that you don’t actually enjoy. You are under no obligation to eat.
Keep the Traditional Tangerines and Nuts
In the past, we might have found tangerines and nuts in our stockings, but nowadays they’re not as common on Christmas morning. But fresh tangerines, oranges, clementines, and energy-packed nuts are in peak season, make healthy eating, and taste just as delicious as chocolate and other sweets! Consciously reach for healthy choices more often this year. Need some tips? Hit the bars! (No, not those ones. We’re in the fourth wave of a pandemic.) We’ve got delicious, healthy snacks, like our Extra Layered Vegan Protein Bars, which by the way make for a great stocking stuffer, too!
Put the Desserts Away When You’re Done
In plenty of households, you’re likely to see a bowl of cookies standing on a counter or a table all day long, just waiting for someone to empty it. They just look so good! Having them constantly arm’s reach makes us unconsciously grab for them again and again. That means we often eat more than we intended. Our advice: Set the desserts out for a short period, eat until you’re feeling full and satisfied, then put them away. That’ll keep away the temptation to absentmindedly munch all day long. Ta-da: Save yourself the unnecessary sugar.
Bake It Yourself
Store-bought cookies often use mountains more sugar than they need to. Opt for healthy eating on the holidays with homemade cookies. Our cookie recipes are quick to bake and even quicker to devour. Get some inspiration with our best Christmas cookies article.
Don’t Go Shopping on an Empty Stomach
Don’t pack yourself full of cookies and samples: Have a real meal before heading out for your holiday shopping. It’s easier to resist impulse buys if you’ve eaten a proper meal beforehand. Besides which, when you only put what you need in your shopping cart, it saves you money. Make the things you really love more special by enjoying your food mindfully.
Make Your Own Mulled Wine
If your Christmas always includes a hot cup of mulled wine on the side, try making your own this year. It’s usually mixed from red wine, sugar, and spices and has about 200 kcal per cup (200ml). When you make your own mulled wine, leave out the sugar to save calories. Try it with fresh oranges and a few cinnamon sticks. You won’t miss the cloying sweetness.
Drink a Glass of Water
Of course, you shouldn’t only be reaching for mulled wine, but also water. Keep a full bottle handy at all times and stay hydrated. If you need a change, try seltzer water for a festive feeling.
Eat Your Veggies First!
Your festive meal should let you enjoy everything to the fullest. But the roast, the potatoes, and the sauces are all so rich. Want our advice? Scoop yourself a big serving of vegetables first. Fill up half of your plate with cabbage, broccoli, green beans, or your green food of choice before loading up with the heavier foods. This will also keep your portion sizes of the richer food more realistic.
Sauces, Butter, Bacon…
The sauce for the roast, the bacon in the green beans, and the butter on the broccoli all add up to sneaky calorie intake. Oftentimes we don’t notice them, and sometimes the food tastes just as delicious without them. By preparing your menu for the holidays as naturally as possible, you can avoid these health traps.
Eat Protein-Rich Food
Protein is part of a balanced diet. That’s why, even during the carby cheer of the holiday season, it’s important to cover your protein needs. Protein-rich foods, such as our Protein Bar, provide a great supply of protein even on the go.
Chew Slowly
Dark December is a time for reflection and mindfulness. Transfer that to your eating habits, too. Mindful eating means chewing slowly. Thorough chewing initiates important digestive processes in the body. If you gobble everything down in one bite, you’re more likely to overeat, and may not feel great later.
Take a Break Between Meals
Longer breaks between meals can also prevent unwanted calories. It usually takes 20 minutes before you start to feel full. More tips: When you’ve finished what’s on your plate, wait 5-10 minutes before going back for seconds.
Go for a Walk
Get some fresh air and go for a walk around the block. An hour’s stroll can burn up to 300 calories (the exact amount will vary from person to person). Added bonus: You’ll get to enjoy the neighbors’ beautiful Christmas lights while you’re at it.
Don’t Skip Your Workout
Despite all the exciting things to do around the holidays, don’t skip your workout. When everyone else is taking a nap, use exercise to give yourself that energy boost! And the wonderful, delicious variety of December food might even help you bang out one rep more than you thought you could. We know you can, come on!
More healthy knowledge from foodspring:
- On the first day of Christmas, my workout gave to me… Our Winter Workout Calendar
- 50 Genius Ways to Stay Healthy All December Long
- 9 Simple Ways to Energize Your Days This Winter
- The Real Reasons You Should Take Up Yoga This Winter
Sources for this article
We at foodspring use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
