Holiday Party Survival Guide: 6 tips to maintain a health during the Holidays!

 

Hi Friends!

This time of year, there are loads of parties to attend (or at least there will be soon).  So, I compiled SIX of my top tips to help you maintain your health during the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays.

Be sure to leave me a comment of the one thing you do to stay healthy this time of year!

1. Get involved: If the party is at a friend’s house, ask the host if you can help out by bringing a dish to share.  More than likely, they will thank you because who would turn down help like that?!  Not only are you helping a friend, but you are also bringing a healthy dish for everyone to enjoy!  
   
   
2. Come Prepared: Be sure to eat your normal meals throughout the day so you can make better choices while dining outside your own home.  It is much easier to skip the calorie dense dishes when you are not famished from starving yourself all day.  I see this way too often during Thanksgiving, where people will not eat anything all day just so they can stuff themselves at Thanksgiving dinner.  Not good on your digestion or waistline...
3. Take a good look at the spread before diving in:  Enjoy all the sights and smells of the food.  Take your time to pick and choose which foods appeal to you most.  There is no reason you need to put a bit of everything on your plate just because it is tradition.  If you don’t like something, walk right past.  You should 100% feel good about the food you put on your plate and enjoy each bite you take!  Your body is worth it; and will thank you!
4. Use the buddy system: Going out to a restaurant?  Share a meal or dessert with a friend.  This way, you are less likely to over eat and there is less food waste!  Everybody wins.
5. Be mindful of seasonal drinks:  First of all, there is a healthy recipe to practically all holiday drinks out there:  Vegan Nog, Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Mocha, and more.  So, make your own if you have the opportunity.  If not, be aware that these drinks can pack a fat punch and are typically loaded with dairy.
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7. Fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables first to reduce cravings for the not-so-healthy options:  This one is a no brainer to me.  Fresh produce is the biggest nutritional bang for your buck.  When you fuel your body with these foods first, your cells are already so full and happy with nutrients, that they forget that craving for the third helping of stuffing or second...third...ok...fourth cookie!  Try this tip out and let me know how it goes!  People might think you are a little crazy at first, but who cares?  You are fueling your body with the healthiest foods.  Just because it is the Holidays, doesn’t mean your body needs to pay for it!!