It’s the holiday season! I love the holidays. The extra time with family, the lights, giving gifts, and, of course, the food. I love food. Sharing a meal with my loved ones is one of my favorite things. 

However, the holidays can be a difficult time to stick to your wellness goals. At the beginning of my nutrition journey, I really struggled with self-control during the holidays. I would overindulge and end up feeling sick. 

If you can relate, you’re in the right place. In this episode, I share my healthy holiday tips for beating the holiday sugar high while still enjoying your holiday meals. I don’t want you to deprive yourself; I just want you to be aware of the healthy holiday eating choices you can make. 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How to avoid gaining weight around the holidays
• Healthy holiday tips for sticking to your wellness plan
• Advice to avoid holiday sugar

How to Fill Your Plate

I always recommend filling your plate with protein and fiber/veggies first. With so many options (especially on Thanksgiving), you might be tempted to go straight for the sides and treats. Our eyes tend to be bigger than our stomachs. By that, I mean we might fill our plates with more food than we can eat. If we start filling our plates with protein and fiber first, there’s less room for sugar. 

If you’re someone who doesn’t like veggies, try eating potatoes and corn instead. They might not have the same nutritional value as a vegetable, but they’re still better than the sugary food you might go for.

Once your plate has protein and fiber, you can add your carbs and sweets at the end. There won’t be as much room on your plate so you won’t grab as much of these foods. I don’t want you to deprive yourself of these amazing treats; it could make you binge later on. Instead, save these foods for the end so you can have a little bit of it and fulfill your sweet tooth. 

Tips to Stick to Your Wellness Plan

Something that really helps me is feeling somewhat content going into the event or meal. I usually have a small snack or smoothie on the way to my family’s house so I don’t feel starving when I’m loading up my plate. I find this gives me a clear head about what I’m actually hungry for. It won’t spoil your appetite, I promise!

Another healthy holiday tip is to focus on whole foods. Whole foods fill us up much faster than carbs. It takes more time to break down in our body, so we feel full for longer. When we eat whole foods, we’re less likely to make impulsive decisions because we aren’t looking at a buffet of food while feeling starving.

I want to give you a little encouragement before the holiday season. If you’re worried about losing control on Thanksgiving or Christmas, let me tell you that one day isn’t going to ruin all your hard work. You might feel bogged down for a day or two, but you aren’t going to gain back 10 pounds from one day. If you go a little overboard, it’s okay. Just get back into your wellness routine as soon as possible.

Healthy Holiday Treats

Although the holidays are filled with sweet treats, you can still find healthy holiday recipes. Pinterest is full of them! Bring a healthy side or dessert to your holiday meal so you know there will at least be one thing that keeps you on track with your wellness goals. 

I actually talk about sugar alternatives a lot in my Mission Fit Forever course. I created it to help you achieve a healthier, simpler, more balanced lifestyle through the six foundations of health. I talk a lot about avoiding sugar cravings and some healthy alternatives. 

Here’s a recipe I make every year for the holidays. It’s a sweet treat but still healthy. This pumpkin spice zucchini bread is always a hit with my family!

If you have any questions or want more healthy holiday tips, feel free to reach out! I’m happy to answer questions specific to your situation. The holidays are a great way to test where you’re at in your wellness journey. Try your best to stick to your goals, and have a wonderful holiday season!

If you liked this episode, check out…

Episode 4: How I Manage ADHD Without Medication

Episode 7: Finding Balance with Compassion and Discipline with Annelies, F45 Gym Owner in Brussels