Each year, the holidays throw us into a whirlwind of stressors like entertaining, traveling, shopping, and spending. It is hard to escape the chaos, but with careful planning, you can maintain a healthy diet, stay active, and keep your budget in line. Avoid the trap of “holiday thinking.” Special occasions come and go, but good health remains with you forever!
As we prepare for Christmas and New Year’s, let’s look at how to feel healthy.
Food filled Holiday
Just because the holidays are here doesn’t mean you have to throw out your diet. Here are a few tips to help you eat more sensibly while still enjoying your favorite foods:
♦ Don’t show up to a party hungry! Eat a healthy snack before you head out the door, so your willpower doesn’t falter.
♦ Offer to bring a healthy or lighter dish to the party. Here are a couple of easy recipe ideas and healthy recipe holiday websites:
40 recipes for a lighter, brighter Christmas
Food Network – Healthy Holiday Recipes
Lexi”s Clean Kitchen Holiday Recipes
The Endless Meal – Dr. Popp’s favorite recipes: – Roasted Beet and Kale Salad with Candied Walnuts and Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes
♦ Fill your plate with healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats before anything else, but leave room to spare! You can always go back for more.
♦ Share a dessert and be mindful of sugar! Eat protein and fat before sugary meals to slow the release of sugars in your body.
♦ Only eat what you love, don’t feel compelled to try everything.
♦ Alternate between water and alcohol to minimize intake and stay hydrated. Drink 8oz of water in between meals and snacks. While you indulge in delicious holiday cocktails, consider adding electrolytes.
♦ After finishing your first helping, take a 10-minute break. Make a conversation and drink some water. Then recheck if you need to eat more.
Additional tips from Harvard Health Publishing, Twelve Tips for Holiday Eating
♦ Consider Digestive Enzymes to help break down your food! No one enjoys that over-full, uncomfortable food coma that ensues
Ways to Stay Healthy
Keep your Immune System Strong! Of course, we want to be healthy all the time, but we also want to enjoy all the Holidays have to offer! The increase in sugar intake dampens our immune response, and on top of the cold weather and viruses, we must take extra precautions to protect our immune systems!
- Wash your hands before and after cooking and eating
- After brushing your teeth, gargle with an iodine mixture or mouthwash with alcohol to kill unwanted bacteria
Recipe: 1c. distilled water, one tbs 10% povidone-iodine, 1/4tsp salt - Get enough shut-eye. Try and aim for 7-9 hours per night
- During the season of rest (My favorite YouTube practice: Is yoga with Adrienne)
- Choose the best supplements to boost your immune system fully! Take extra Zinc, Vitamins D, Vitamin C, NAC & Quercetin.
Make Time for Exercise
Finding time to work out during the holidays can be extra challenging. Here are some creative ideas to keep you moving:
♦ Make the most of airport delays: walk up and down the concourse while waiting for your flight.
♦ Shovel snow! You burn 350-450 calories per hour shoveling snow!
♦ Take a family walk: An excellent time to connect and be grateful
♦ Plan before you travel. Check for local gyms, parks, or trails. On your calendar, schedule workouts so you won’t be tempted to skip them!
♦ Don’t stop moving! Try incorporating restorative yin yoga as a calming practice if you are stressed.
Keep a Budget
Keeping costs down between gift-giving, entertaining, traveling, and food prepping can be tricky. Here are some ways to be money conscious:
♦ Make a shopping list – Write down all your expenses, not just gifts. Decide how much you can afford, and don’t exceed that amount.
♦ Shop throughout the year – When you come across the perfect gift for someone, buy it! It is one less person to stress over when the Holiday arrives.
♦ Comparison shop – Your holiday dollars will go further if you do your homework before shopping.
Put people first- It’s essential to stay focused on what truly matters about the season, spending time with the people who mean the most to you.
We wish you a happy & healthy Holiday Season filled with peace, love & joy.
We hope it is a time of reflection, rejuvenation, and quality time well spent with loved ones.
