Holiday Eating Tips 101

How to stop stressing around food during this holiday season.

Eating around the holidays can be genuinely stressful. And when you have some fitness goals like losing weight, gaining muscle, or simply trying to live healthier in general, Xmas can be pretty tense.

Tell me in the comments below: how are you feeling before Xmas? Do you have anxiety about how this time of the year comes between you and your fitness and health goals?

Let's get an answer to the question that might be coming up to your mind.

How much exactly should you stress about the holidays?

Well, if your goal is to lose weight or gain muscle, not that much. When you’re consistent for like 2-3 months, even a week of not having the perfect diet won’t affect your progress that much. 

Just after the holidays, keep on staying on track. Consistency in the long term is the key to your progress. Not one week of not being "flawless".

If you just started working out or eating healthier, that’s okay too. Seeing any significant change to your body takes around 2-3 months.

So if you’re consistent for that much time, one week of having food freedom isn't a deal-breaker.

And, if your goal is to live healthier in general, the holidays aren't supposed to be a stressful moment either.

While living your improved lifestyle, you still have to celebrate holidays, go to parties and family gatherings. There is food at those events. You have to learn how to fit holidays into your new healthier life.

So the earlier you start, the better. 

All you need is to shift your mindset. So, let's dig into some holiday eating tips to help you stay on track. 

P.S. While doing that, remember to enjoy the most magical time of the year.

Holidays are a time for parties and gatherings.

If you host, consider cooking some dishes more healthily. Some ideas are using less fat, serving a veggie as a side, making a nutritious-dense salad, don’t fry - bake instead.

If you’re a guest, bring a healthy meal.

This way you are sure at least some of the food supports your fitness or healthy progress.

Add some veggies as a side to your meal.

Vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. An easy way to consume more is as a side to your entree.

Add a protein-dense food.

Don’t eat just carbs like sides or sweets. Sure, they are your favorite, but the protein will keep you satiated for longer without any excessive amounts of calories or sugar.

Remember when you started your fitness/ health journey, you added more protein to your diet. Now add some more to your holidays too.

Put less food on your plate.

Grab from whatever you want in reasonable quantities. You can always go back and add more to the ones you mostly liked if you still feel hungry or have the appetite.

But seeing a full plate in front of you will make you eat more.

Try to listen to your hunger cues and stop when you’re full.

This is the hardest part in my opinion - to understand when is enough. So how can you do this?

Try to eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly, and always take a breath between bites. Those techniques give your mind time, and, hopefully, you will be able to tell when you're full.

Don’t skip meals.

Just because you are at a gathering at 5 doesn’t mean you shouldn't eat lunch or your usual afternoon snack. Sticking to your regular eating schedule is easier for your body.

Drink enough water.

Staying hydrated is a crucial part of your health journey you don’t want to neglect. If you’re still wondering how much water should you drink, I have the answer here.

Also, drinking more water helps you consume less soda. Sodas are high in sugar and calories, so it is a good idea to stay away from them in general.

Go easy on the drinks.

Alcohol is high in calories and makes you eat more. Have a couple of drinks but try to tell when it’s enough for the night.

Keep moving.

Even though you might be going away from your local gym, there are so many different activities you can do.

Go for walks or hikes, and try spending time with your family while being active. Especially when people are outside for a walk, they don’t tend to look at their phones that much.

You can spend some quality time with a family member or a friend. Who said the snowball fight or building a snowman is only for the kids?!

Make sure you take good sleep.

Holidays are perfect for some time with your loved ones, party and rest. Give yourself and your body a well-deserved sleep during your time away from work.

Most importantly: enjoy your time with family and friends.

Don’t think about food too much. Holidays are for gatherings, beautiful moments, and quality time spent with the ones you love the most.

You don’t progress in fitness or health overnight. You grow by building healthy habits which will improve your life overall.

And most of all, you build up by being consistent. A day or a week of not being perfect is nothing compared to months of consistency. 

Don’t stress about eating around the holidays that much. Enjoy the foods you love, be mindful of the quantities and the alcohol.

And mostly, try to be present. Don’t think how you will burn that piece of apple pie. Don’t think that Christmas is ruining your dream body. 

Realize how great it is to be off work. Realize how amazing it is that you’re blessed with family and friends to spend the holidays with. Realize how lucky you are to have delicious food and people to share it with. 

Merry Christmas, Folks!

Have a joyful time, make some great memories, and enjoy life with a smile on your face.

I hope this article motivated you to keep going with your fitness journey with more confidence.

Also, let me know about your fitness struggles in the comments below or fill out my survey. Once I know what bothers you, I will put an end to it.

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