The holiday season always comes at the end of the year and is a time to celebrate with friends and family. It’s also the time when so many individuals love to eat, drink, and be merry. However, this can also be the time when a lot of individuals put on quite a few pounds. Because there are so many delicious treats, snacks, and entrees to enjoy, most don’t hold back as much during these times. Unfortunately, they regret many of those decisions when the new year rolls around. Not only do individuals struggle with buyer’s remorse during the first month of the year, but they also deal with wanting to lose a bunch of weight as a result of gluttony during the holidays. If you’d like to change the trajectory and eat healthy during the holidays, understand this is possible. However, you’ll need to put a few guidelines in place to succeed. Get to know some of the best ways of eating healthy during the holidays now.
Eat Mindful Meals
Too often, individuals eat when they’re in a rush and thus, they constantly eat on the go. There are so many reasons why the fast food industry is successful and popular as it is. The majority of individuals like the convenience of fast food because they need to eat something quickly before they move on to the next thing on the agenda. They don’t want to take time to sit down and eat their food. This is especially true during the holidays. Individuals book their schedules to the max during the holiday season. There are so many loved ones to see and so many places to be. However, when you eat mindful meals, you’re able to be present and not mindless. You’re able to remain in the moment and know what’s going on around you. You’ll also be able to think about how you feel in the moment, how you feel about the food you’re eating, and savor it differently. When it comes to food, be mindful and not mindless.
Continue reading to reveal more ways in which to eat healthy throughout the holidays.
Control Your Portions
Portion control is such a major component of maintaining a healthy weight. If you really want to maintain personal health during the holidays, it’s so important to monitor and control your portions. You don’t need to become obsessed with each calorie on your plate, but you do need to be mindful about maintaining a sense of control. After all, healthy eating is the antitheses of the holidays. The holidays are the times when gluttony is completely welcomed. Know you don’t have to do this. However, you don’t have to miss out on all of the delicious food. If you see a piece of cheesecake and know you want it, cut the slice in half and wash it down with a glass of water. If you already know you’re going to want fried chicken, eat one piece instead of three.
Get to know the next piece of advice for eating healthy during the holidays now.
Eat When You’re Hungry
If you focus on eating only when you’re hungry, this is half the battle. Many times, individuals eat because the food is right there. A great way to get through the process is to always walk with a large bottle of water. Add lemon slices and fresh mint leaves into the bottle or infuse berries for a different taste. Focus on drinking the water until the bottle is finished. If you are truly hungry, your body will let you know. Otherwise, continue to drink. The water will help you remain fuller for a longer period. You might be surprised at the amount of success you experience with more water in your system. It can really help individuals avoid excessive snacking and eating.
Keep going for more on eating healthy throughout the holidays.
Plan And Prepare Your Food
It might seem impossible to plan and prepare your food when you’re walking into a party and you don’t know what is going to be served. However, there are a few things to consider. If you’re planning on going to a holiday dinner party, Eat light in the morning and afternoon. Perhaps a green shake of spinach, avocado, organic stevia, and fresh organic mint with a cup of ice blended together. For lunch, maybe an organic green salad with a piece of salmon. By conserving your calories earlier in the day you will be able to enjoy your holiday dinner party. Just be mindful of what and how much you put on your plate. Just because it’s a party doesn’t mean it’s a green light to eat anything and everything.
Eat Slowly
When you’re used to eating on the go, eating slowly will feel like a foreign practice. Instead of sitting down to eat and watch television at the same time, work on setting aside time exclusively dedicated to eating. Don’t turn on any electronics and don’t scroll through your social media on your phone. Instead, focus on actually chewing and tasting your food.
In many cases, individuals chew their food fewer than ten times before swallowing. In reality, you should chew each bite at least 40 times before swallowing. When you’re able to completely digest and enjoy your food, you’ll develop a habit of taking the time to eat. Your digestive tract will thank you!
Don’t wait until the holidays to begin these steps. It’s a great idea to start now and work toward improving. If you’re disciplined and regularly work toward improving your relationship with food, you’ll be able to see changes over time. If you focus on developing and perfecting this process during the holidays, then the thought of holiday eating won’t bring on anxious thoughts.
