How To Enjoy Holiday Foods (Without Sacrificing Your Health)
Gingerbread cookies, stuffing, pumpkin pie, candy canes, egg nog—we're literally surrounded by treats during the holidays.
And while most of us want to celebrate and indulge a little, the fear of gaining holiday weight can make us feel extra self-conscious about what we're putting on our plates.
Here's the thing, research does show that people tend to gain weight during the holidays, but it's typically just one or two pounds. Certainly not enough to avoid the dessert table at your company Christmas party.
That sluggish feeling we often get after the holidays is only an issue when we let it slide past the celebrations and into our everyday lives. Left unchecked, this feeling compounds and adds up becomes tougher to remedy the longer it goes on.
Indulging in our favorite treats day-in and day-out inevitably imbalances our blood sugar. And when our blood sugar is imbalanced, we start to crave foods that give us quick energy and are easy to digest—like sugar and white/refined flour-based carbohydrates.
The more sweets and carbs you eat, the more you'll crave those foods. So to stop those cravings before they get out of hand, it helps to blood sugar stabilized.
So while you should absolutely enjoy every treat and truffle you want this year, there are a few things you can do to prevent one day of fun from turning into multiple weeks of that ‘uggggghhhh’ feeling.
Eat A High-Protein Breakfast Every Day
Protein is a vital macronutrient to keep your blood sugar even. Its satiating, and it takes longer for protein to digest than it does carbs and sugars, so the rise and fall of your blood sugar is better regulated.
Adding protein to your breakfast every single morning will help you feel fuller throughout the day and help you avoid cravings.
Eat A Fat Or Protein With Every Meal And Snack
Most of us like to reach for the cookies or the buttered bread when we're feeling a little hangry. But that little energy boost sugars and white flour carbs give you doesn't last—and only leads to a crash later on.
Adding a little fat or protein to every meal and snack you eat can help you feel more satisfied so you don't have to rely on sugar for energy. Here are a few easy examples:
An apple with peanut butter
Turkey, hummus, and red pepper roll-up
Veggies and yogurt dip
Need more ideas? Check out this list of high-protein foods and this list of healthy fats.
Be Mindful Of Alcohol
Holiday celebrations and alcohol often go hand-in-hand. And while having a Christmas-themed cocktail is totally fine, the more you drink, the less mindful your food choices will be. Try to monitor your drinks and set yourself limits to avoid going overboard. Alcohol also messes with your sleep- like, a lot.
Need help cutting down? Try warming herbal teas or mocktails like Curious Elixers. Here's an Instagram post with some of our favorites teas
Try To Consume As Much Fiber As Possible
And finally, get in as much fiber as you can. Fiber digests slowly, so it slows down blood sugar spikes with certain foods.
Fiber is found in lots of healthy whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and barley. You can also get fiber from fruits and veggies, especially cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.
Here's a full list of high-fiber foods you can use to get your fill.
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You don't have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods in order to maintain a healthy diet. So enjoy every moment and celebrate in moderation, and remember: enjoying treats is a crucial part of a healthy diet.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.sourceandsproutnutrition.com/disclaimer