7 Tips to Enjoy Holiday Foods Without Worry and Weight Gain
The holiday season is quickly approaching, bringing with it the delights of festive decorations, delicious meals, and quality time spent with loved ones. However, for some, the thought of navigating holiday foods can be overwhelming. If you're looking to fully embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy all the tasty treats without compromising your nutrition goals, keep reading.
Below, you'll find seven dietitian-approved tips for mindful eating during the holiday season.
7 Tips to Enjoy Your Holiday Foods
1. Identify Your Goals
Start by determining your objectives for the holiday season. Whether you want to stick to your nutrition plan, manage your weight, or simply enjoy the festivities without guilt, understanding your motivations is key.
For example, if weight management is important to you for maintaining blood sugar levels and energy, consider incorporating HUM's Best of Berberine supplement for support. By knowing your 'why,' you can establish new habits and stay motivated, according to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC.
2. Establish Habits to Achieve Your Goals
After clarifying your goals and motivations, focus on building new habits that align with your objectives. Overcoming obstacles and creating strategies for success is crucial.
For instance, if you tend to eat for comfort during stressful times, consider alternative coping mechanisms like yoga or meditation. Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, suggests making a flexible plan for meals around special events to maintain balance.
3. Find Ways to Stay Consistent
Adopting new habits can be challenging, so start small and gradually incorporate health-supporting tasks into your routine. Habit stacking, where new habits are built upon existing ones, can help maintain consistency.
Simple strategies like taking extra steps during errands or having reminders on your phone for health tasks can support your goals, as per a 2023 study in Nutrients.
4. Enlist a Friend to Stay on Track
Accountability and motivation are essential for staying on track with your goals. Partnering with friends who share similar objectives can provide support and encouragement.
Creating shared goals and checking in regularly with friends can enhance commitment and mindfulness, as well as offer a support system.
5. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead for meals and events can help you make healthier choices and manage hunger cues. Snacking before gatherings, reviewing menus in advance, and setting boundaries for nighttime eating can support your goals.
6. Indulge in the Things You Truly Enjoy
During the holiday season, focus on savoring the foods that bring you joy and satisfaction. Embrace the festive spirit and celebrate with moderation and mindfulness, enjoying the flavors and traditions that make this time of year special.
During the holiday season, it's important to let go of feelings of deprivation and guilt. Depriving yourself of enjoyment can have a negative impact on your mental well-being, so strive for a balanced approach that includes sustainable habits along with self-compassion and room for occasional treats. Rather than viewing decadent meals as slip-ups, embrace them as moments worth relishing. Remember that a few indulgent meals during special occasions won't derail your overall progress or healthy habits.
As you navigate the culinary delights of the holiday season, prioritize finding a sense of balance that allows you to enjoy the festivities without guilt or shame. Maintaining your weight during this time can be seen as a success in itself, with any weight loss as an added bonus. Give yourself the gift of grace this holiday season, along with the joy of savoring each delicious bite that makes this time of year so special.
