The Holidays are here!
Halloween and Thanksgiving are behind us and Christmas is looming.
While all these holidays are fun and exciting times to spend with family, they also come with so many temptations!
Holiday parties seldom offer healthy options when it comes to food or beverages. When we let ourselves overindulge we end up feeling bloated and lethargic from all those carbs and the sugar high and then the dreaded sugar crash that follows. Also there is likely a large feeling of guilt that will follow as well, for letting oneself overindulge in these treats.
One of the best ways to combat this is through preparation and taking preventative measures ahead of time. If you know that you will be attending a holiday gathering, there are always things you can do to prepare yourself!
One of my patients said the idea of deciding what to eat before they go out has been a game changer for them. They don’t even look at the unhealthy options anymore and love how they feel after every meal no matter how much they eat! If you have access to the menu ahead of time, this is a great way to prepare yourself! When you plan what you are going to eat before you go out or sit down to the feast, you are likely to make healthier choices that can help leave you feeling energized and motivated.
Here are some other tips that can help you throughout the holiday season to be prepared for the holiday parties and gatherings:
- Add more Immune Building foods to your diet: Natural, organic foods such as Garlic, Onions, Vegetables, Seeds and Fruits all provide your body with the nutrients your immune system needs to be healthy and stay strong. They also help decrease cravings and keep you feeling energized so you’re not looking for that quick sugar fix!
- All you can eat Greens Think salad, vegetables, beans, and avoid the pastas, rice, breads and potatoes! I know this time of year is all about the “comfort foods,” but find a way to keep incorporating healthy greens and veggies every day. Especially if you know you are heading to a party later – you can throw some greens into a healthy smoothie and that will help you feel full and satisfied when you head out later. They are also incredibly nutritious, providing the body with what it needs to stay healthy when surrounded by so much sugar. Your body will thank you!
- Offer to bring a treat to share: You can always offer to bring a treat to share, that way you know you are bringing a healthy treat option that you can indulge in! A couple of my favorite healthy treat options to bring to holiday gatherings or parties are below –
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars from the Fit Mitten Kitchen (https://www.fitmittenkitchen.com/healthy-pumpkin-pie-bars-paleo/)
- Cranberry Swirl Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bites from Fit Foodie Finds (https://fitfoodiefinds.com/cranberry-cheesecake-bites-recipe/)
Along with those three tips, we can’t forget about the important routine health advice such as: get plenty of sleep, drink water to stay hydrated, limit alcohol intake, and move your body regularly…you know the routine.
It may not sound all that exciting, but when you walk away feeling great and your co-workers or friends are saying how stuffed they feel, you will appreciate that you took these preventative measures!
As always, if I can help in any way, feel free to call the clinic for an appointment.