The holiday season can be a great time of sharing and celebrating with family and friends, but it can also be very hectic and disruptive to our normal routine. Parties, increased traveling, and inconsistency can all cause disruption in our routines making it difficult to maintain healthy habits. While all the extra goodies and parties that come around at this time of year are wonderful, we must learn how to do everything in moderation. This month we are sharing some strategies to help keep your eating and other daily habits on track this holiday season as well as some recipes for healthier versions of holiday classics.
Plan for parties. We aren’t always able to control foods that are served when we go to holiday parties but we can create a plan for how we will handle what foods are served.
Aim to eat as close to your normal eating time as possible, this will help to keep your blood sugar stable.
If the event you are going to is later than your usual eating time, have a small snack before you go out and eat less when you are there.
Consider offering to bring a healthy appetizer or side with you to the event.
Often people will think that they want to save room for a party or celebration later in the day and skip meals. This isn’t a good idea because it can cause us to overeat when we get to the event. Instead, have smaller, lighter foods filled with protein, such as a bowl of soup, earlier in the day instead of a heavier meal.
Try some of these healthier holiday recipes and let us know if you have others to share!
Making good healthy eating choices is important
…but let’s not forget about exercise, sleep and managing stress too.
There’s a lot to accomplish during the holidays. Frequently, exercise is something that gets pushed to the side. Instead of skipping your exercise all together, try taking small, 10-minute breaks of simple stretches or short walks.
If you are at a friend’s home for a party, consider asking if anyone wants to take a short walk after a meal before dessert or treats are served. This helps your body breakdown the meal you just ate and can help to regulate your blood pressure and blood sugars too!
Being mindful of your sleeping pattern is always important but especially during the holidays. Tasks on our “To-Do” list can be endless and special festivities can go much later than we typically may be awake resulting in our sleep being compromised. Lack of sleep can lead to brain fog, food cravings and mindless eating. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. If you know you will be out late one evening, don’t plan anything for early the next morning so you can sleep a little later and recoup the time lost. You can also take a nap before you go out so you aren’t too tired at the event.
Stress can be a big component of our lives during the holidays, especially the past few years. Schedule time to take care of “you” as much as your schedule allows. Short naps, taking your pet for a walk, reading a good book, prayer and hot baths can all help to relax our mind and body. This rejuvenates us and makes us feel more rested.
