I love this time of year because it means spending more time with family and friends. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, you are more likely to consume more food than you do any other time of the year. We all want to be able to enjoy the holidays without feeling like are letting ourselves go.
Here are some tips for staying healthy during the holidays that will help you out this holiday season! Remember you can still enjoy all the delicious food it is just about balance!
Make Healthier Alternatives
Today, there are so many different healthy alternatives for almost everything! I love making healthier apple crisp with coconut sugar and oat flour. Even though it is not exactly healthy it is a much better alternative, plus it is DELICIOUS. Don’t worry I will be sharing the recipe soon! You can always make easy swaps like this when you are cooking. This is why I love making everything myself because I am able to control what I put in it like sugar and oils.
Alcohol in Moderation
Drinking alcohol like red wine in moderation can have some health benefits but people tend to overdo it. Let’s be real sometimes you want a small glass of wine and sometimes you want the whole bottle. I am definitely guilty of this but I make sure it is not a habit that I am doing multiple times a week. Another trick when it comes to wine is to make sure it is organic, low/no sulfates, and added sugars.
Stay Active
I understand the holidays are a time to spend time with your family relaxing but you want to make sure you are still taking care of your physical and mental health. It can be as simple as going on a walk every morning and night. You can do at home workouts using Youtube, workout guides, and fitness apps. Just make sure you are moving every day!
Get Enough Sleep
There is a reason it is recommended to get about 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Not only does sleep help with your immune system but if you are tired, odds are you are not going to make the decisions when it comes to food. If you got 4 hours of sleep the night before, you are probably going to choose a bowl of cereal over a nutritious breakfast.
Smaller Portions
One of my favorite tips for staying healthy during the holidays is that you need to be aware of the portion sizes you are having. My family likes to bring out bigger plates for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, which tricks your brain into thinking that you need to cover the whole plate. Guess what? You don’t. If you want to try a little bit of everything then go for it! Just make sure you are not overdoing it and having smaller portions.
Drink LOTS of Water
It is so important to make sure you are drinking enough water but sometimes it can be hard to drink enough. When you are hanging out and celebrating with friends and family, the last thing you are thinking about is drinking a glass of water. Unless you are obsessed with water like me!
This is another good point, once you start drinking the right amount you will get in the habit and start feeling when you do not have enough water. I recommend getting a water bottle that holds at least 32 ounces.
Don’t Forget Fruits and Vegetables
There are so many delicious foods when it comes to the holidays especially appetizers and desserts. It is easy to skip over the greens when there is a beautiful pot of mac and cheese starring at you. BUT, it is so important to make sure you are still getting in your fruit and vegetables during this time of the year. Use this time to try new recipes for vegetables to see what you like.
Remember Balance
I gave you some tips that will help you stay healthy during the holiday season but it is important to remember that it is truly all about balance. If every single meal you are eating is healthy but you are not enjoying it then eventually, you are going to say screw this… and give up. If you are eating bad every single meal, odds are you’re going to gain some weight and not feel your best.
More Posts That Will Help You Stay Healthy During The Holidays:
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Through Diet and Exercise
Informatory
Thank you!
Great tips for holiday! Sometimes it’s hard to drink more water and that’s why I like to drink water in the morning when I wake up!
Thank you! I agree, I always start my morning with tons of lemon water before having my morning coffee.
Eating smaller portions is a great tip! I think a lot of people overindulge and have larger portions because they don’t get these tasty holiday foods all year, but instantly regret it. Great tips.
Thank you! I agree, people look at it as a time to binge when it shouldn’t be that way.