Pass the Greens!
Since many of us won’t be leaving our homes for the holidays, there’s no pressure to make the loaded Mac and Cheese dish Aunt Sally loves. Try incorporating more
veggies into your holiday meal this year. Better yet, go for a vegetarian friendly holiday dinner! Veggies provide us with lots of vitamins and nutrients that help support our immune system and keep us feeling satisfied for longer. You won’t crave those simple carbs or sweet treats as much so overindulging at dessert time won’t be as tempting. Click here for more vegetarian food options!
Family Walk
Walk it out with the family after dinner to get the body and mind moving. Some fresh air after a meal is a great way to aid in digestion, promote circulation, and increase energy levels. A little extra movement and a few extra steps while hanging out with the family is a great way to spend some quality time together. A simple walk each day increases endorphins and promotes a better sense of wellbeing.
Hydrate with Mocktails
Hydration is key during the holiday season. Stay hydrated with lots of water throughout the day. Create low-calorie, yet delicious mocktails with sparkling water and a splash for fruit juice and enjoy in a wine class for style! Super refreshing, immune boosting and with less sugar than an alcoholic beverage. If you're staying home this year, the pressure to drink significantly decreases, so indulge in your favorite mocktail, next to the fire with your favorite holiday movie and relax!
Don't Skip Meals
Even if you are just staying home this year, a great way to prevent overeating during your holiday dinner is to make sure you don’t skip meals! Eat a healthy breakfast loaded with protein and healthy fats. This will allow you to stay full for longer and as you get closer to dinner time, have a healthy snack such as veggies with hummus or guacamole with crackers to hold you over until meal time! This will prevent you from overeating at dinner and allow your blood sugar levels to stay even throughout the day. You will also feel more empowered to make healthier decisions throughout the day.
Bake with Less Sugar
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthier version of your favorite treat by limiting the amount of sugar the recipe requires. Cut the amount of sugar in half or replace with maple syrup or apple sauce. Check out this sugar-free Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake for a healthy holiday dessert option the whole family will love!
Give Yourself Grace
It is not realistic to eat super clean and workout every single day, especially during the holiday season. It can be a stressful time for many (without even counting the pandemic this year)! So if you eat a couple cookies, an extra piece of pie or didn’t get to your workout, don't fret! Tomorrow is a new day to start fresh and a new opportunity to get back on track! What happened yesterday is in the past, you have new choices to make today!