Holiday Eating Tips
Woohoo! We are smack-dab in the middle of the holidays, my absolute favorite time of the year. I love spending time with family, Christmas music & movies, and lots of delicious foods. It’s important that we go in with a plan. Think about it….you make a list of gifts to be purchased and decorations to be hung, let’s decide to put that same effort into planning proper meals.
Before your Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, I just wanted to share a few reminders with you. Most importantly, I would advise you to stay away from desserts, cocktails, and rich savory side dishes!!! Okay, bad joke…. That thought process is unrealistic AND unnecessary, especially during these times.
However, what I do suggest (and, what I will do, myself) is to be mindful. Mindfulness is defined as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” That is a lot to digest (no pun, intended), but it corroborate my point perfectly. Instead of filling up your plate with heaping helpings of all your favorites, really take time to think about what you really want to eat during your sitting. You don’t have to eat everything right now…. You can always come back later, after you’ve given that serving enough time to digest.
Specifically, my tips for a more successful holiday eating season are as follows:
Create a new recipe with healthier ingredients. Or, adjust one of your longtime favorite recipes with healthier ingredients. This tip applies to savory side dishes and treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Practice portion control. This means choosing a healthy amount of a certain food. With portion control, you can still enjoy the foods you love, without overeating.
Limit holiday cocktails, or at least, choose healthier options for your cocktails. Create new favorites that do not use fruit juices, creams, etc. to minimize sugar. Try a dry wine over a sweet wine. A little research will go a long way in helping you decide.
Keep drinking water! Sometimes, we can mistake our thirst for hunger. Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This can aid in preventing dehydration, which will assist you in knowing the difference between thirst and hunger.
And last, but not least, keep moving! Consider a virtual holiday 5K or 10K on Christmas morning or even a short walk after your meal. If you really want to get active, try something you haven’t done before: do a rotation of squats, calf raises, and leg lifts while you’re standing in the kitchen cooking. If that doesn’t work for you, hop up and get in some brisk walking or stair climbing on these special days.
Whatever you choose to do, please enjoy this holiday season, even if it didn’t turn out as planned. Make the most of your days, no matter what it looks like. As 2020 comes to an end, take time to count your blessings and practice gratitude for all you have. And, please, stay safe!