The holiday season is a time for joy, faith, family, friends and let’s face it – delicious feasts. With all the holiday parties, happy hours and big meals that come with the holiday season, it can also be a challenging period if you’re trying to stay on track with your health and wellness goals. This is where Ygeia Nutrition comes in – to help guide you so that you enjoy the holiday season while also keeping your health and happiness a priority. With a little planning and some mindful choices, you can celebrate and enjoy the holidays without derailing your progress.  

Here are 5 tips on how to navigate the holidays while staying committed to your goals: 

• Treat the Holiday as Any Other Day: It’s tempting to use the holidays as an excuse to abandon your routine. But the key to weight loss and weight management is consistency. Try to stick to your general routine as much as possible. Don’t skip any meals – have a complete breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner that includes a serving of lean protein, high fiber carbohydrate and healthy fat and if you usually exercise in the morning, consider sticking to your workout schedule too. This helps you maintain a sense of normalcy and control amidst the festive chaos. 

• Prepare a Dish for Everyone to Enjoy: Take charge of at least one dish at the gathering. By preparing a healthy and delicious option, you ensure that you have something nutritious to enjoy with the rest of the meal. Plus, you can share your commitment to your goals with your loved ones. They might even be inspired to make healthier choices too. 

• Build a Balanced Plate: When it’s time to fill your plate, aim for balance. Load up on colorful, fiber-rich vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains and be mindful of your portions of dishes that are high-calorie, sugar packed, and high-fat. Remember, a little indulgence is completely fine, at the end of the day it is just one meal, however, try your best to keep the majority of your plate balanced and a plate that still supports your goals. 

• Go Ahead and Get Seconds – Mindfully: It’s easy to get carried away with second helpings, but before you go for more, take a moment to reflect. Are you still hungry, or are you eating out of habit or just because the food is right there in front of you on the table or counter? If you genuinely want more, stick to the same balanced plate approach for your seconds. If you’re satisfied, it’s perfectly okay to take a break and go back for seconds at a later time.

• Be Social: Although holidays may seem to revolve around what we’re going to eat – the holidays are about more than just food. Engage in conversations, play games, or take a post-meal walk with your family and friends. Being social can take the focus off of eating and leave you with more time with your loved ones. 

Remember the holidays are not about putting your goals on pause, depriving yourself or feeling guilty about having a more indulgent meal. It’s about finding that balance that allows you to enjoy the holiday season while staying committed to your goals. Celebrate your progress and appreciate this time spent with loved ones. With these tips in mind, you can savor the holidays without compromising your health and wellness journey and that is the Ygeia Nutrition way. 

In Good Health,

Maria Stavropoulos, MS RD CDN

Registered Dietitian and Founder of Ygeia Nutrition