Finding Food Balance During the Holidays

How to eat well and still enjoy the holidays.

Tis the season for indulging. But if you want to keep your well-being on track, you might want to think about some strategies to find balance. Worried about holiday weight gain? You’re not alone. There is a fine balance between eating well and enjoying yourself over Christmas and New Year.

Here are some tips to help you find your balance throughout the holiday season.

Make your choices in advance

If you’re going to an event or meal where the options are available online, scope them out. Most restaurants, cafes and even catering companies will have menus online for you to view. Choose what you want before you arrive, so you’re less tempted by what others are ordering or the scents around you. If you are trying to watch your weight or on a nutrition plan for fat loss then its best to stick to Protein and Vegetables. Examples are Salmon Fillet and vegetables, Steak and Salad or Stir fry’s with minimal rice.

Start off nutrient-dense

If you’re at an event with a buffet table, you can enjoy a few treats. But it’s best to start with one plate of nutrient-dense choices first. Grab a good quality protein, high-fibre carbohydrates and some fresh veggies before you hit up the dessert table. For example, at a buffet I would usually start with a nice piece of fish or chicken and pair it with lots of greens and salads. That way I’m filling up on the good things and keeping breads, rice, pasta and desserts at a minimal.

Know the consequences

It’s important to know how foods affect you, and make your choices based on those. For example, you might choose to eat a gluten-filled cake if it only gives you a mild tummy ache. But if you know it’s going to make you violently ill, you’ll probably want to avoid it.

Example if you know that pastas and breads make you feel sluggish, heavy and bloated then chose the safer options like salads or vegetables over creamy pastas and heavy meals. It’s okay to communicate the reason for your choice with others. If your grandmother is pushing a dish on you, you can say simply say ‘Thank you, but creamy pastas make me feel bloated and sick.

Choose your indulgences

Have you ever munched through a chunk of fruitcake, only to remember that you don’t really like it? You’re not alone. During the holidays, it’s common for people to accept plates of food they don’t really enjoy. I can definitely resonate with this, I’m not a huge fan of fruit cake but there is the need/urge to try it, yet it never gets better (hehe).

But this is one area where you want to be picky. After all, we absorb more nutrition from food we enjoy, so you might as well go for a delicious option. When you’re faced with a variety of food options, choose one or two of your absolute favourites, and leave the rest.

When you do have a treat that you enjoy, being present will make the experience far more enjoyable. By savouring each bite, you’re less likely to overconsume and feel guilty about it afterwards. Eating mindfully allows you to enjoy it more. Have you ever given up something for a period of time, like chocolate for Lent. That first taste of chocolate after waiting is amazing! It’s because we savour the moment. So take your time with your holiday favourites.

Stay active

It’s easy to get sluggish as the weather heats up and the year comes to a close. But staying active is just as important for your well-being as what you eat. So find ways to incorporate movement into your holiday plans. You could look at options such as:

  • Swimming on hot days
  • Going for an evening walk after a large meal
  • Taking the family to the park after breakfast
  • Buying presents for the family that are more active, such as totem tennis poles.
  • Schedule in a weekly exercise class over the holidays. (I am taking off from the 23rd December until the 3rd January but after that Personal Training sessions will be back in full swing. Why not book a 1:1 Pt session, grab a buddy and do it together or organise a group and all train together. All options available.

 

If you need support with creating a holiday game plan, I’m here to help. www.calendly.com/inspiredhealthbydee

Dee x

Dee x