How to Eat-Guilt Free This Holiday Season Without Overindulging
You’ve worked hard to commit to your nutrition and lifestyle changes that support whole-body health. This might have you worried that you’ll fall off the health wagon this holiday season. What you eat during the holidays is more than food, it’s tradition. There’s no need to deprive yourself of the holiday foods you love most. The tips below will help you eat-guilt free without overindulging.
#1 Plan Your Guilt-Free Meals
Just like you plan your current dessert days and splurge meals, plan your holiday indulgence. Unless you have diabetes, a meal or full day of eating your holiday favorites won’t throw you completely off track. So, give yourself permission to splurge more frequently, but schedule when you will indulge.
If you typically have 1 splurge meal a week, have 2 splurge meals a week.
Splurge all day on Christmas, and another day or two.
Allow yourself to enjoy leftovers for lunch or dinner for 1 or 2 days.
#2 Savor Every Bite
Since you will be indulging more in the next month or so, take the time to enjoy every bite. Whether the meal or dessert is sweet or savory, appreciate the aroma, texture, and distinct flavors.
Should You Try a Healthier Recipe?
Maybe, but test your go-to recipes first. Healthy swaps can drastically reduce the fat, sugar, and caloric content in your favorite recipes. In some cases, swaps change the flavor profile so much that you lose nostalgia. During the holidays, you may crave nostalgia and tradition as much as you crave indulgent foods. This is especially true of recipes passed down through the generations. So, a swap may leave you feeling deprived.
On the flip side, some swaps taste the same. For many, baking with allulose instead of traditional sugar doesn’t modify the flavor profile, making it easier to eat guilt-free.
#3 Elevate Other Aspects of Your Health
The holiday season is the perfect time to kick other areas of your health and wellness up a notch. This isn’t only because you’ll be indulging a bit more, but because the holidays can be stressful. Stress can decrease your immunity, which you don’t need during cold and flu season.
Don’t skip meals to “even” things out, as this can leave you nutrient-deprived.
Stick to your meal plan for all other meals. This provides nutrient balance and a sense of accomplishment.
Work out an extra 10 or 15 minutes per workout. Or add 1 more workout per week.
Find ways to move more. Stand at your desk, take the stairs, sit on a core stability ball at your desk, and stretch throughout the day.
Drink more unsweetened herbal tea. This will provide you with antioxidants and added hydration.
Aim for no less than 8 hours of quality sleep per night, ideally heading to bed and waking up within the same hour each day.
Try not to spread yourself too thin with social engagements, ensuring most of what you commit to doesn’t add to your stress.
Take a proactive approach to stress eating by prioritizing your mental health, managing your finances, and minimizing stress triggers.
Eat Guilt-Free With Some New Fall and Winter Recipes
Whether you’re looking to refresh your holiday menu, want some healthy holiday party snacks, or simply want to add some more fall dishes to the mix—I’m here to help. Yourfall and winter meal plans will include seasonal produce, flavorful herbs and spices, andyour favorite foods.