“There’s a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy/When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie…”. We all know this line from “Sleigh Ride” and can completely relate to the excitement and joy that comes with the holiday season. Fortunately, the holiday season is about counting our blessings and spending time with loved ones, but unfortunately, a lot of this time comes with challenges in the nutrition department. I call this time of year “damage control season” because it’s all about picking and choosing where to ease up and allow for some holiday fun, but without going into a poor eating habits spiral.
Tips for managing the holiday season
1. Pick your special events
If you have a work holiday party, Friendsgiving, or family holiday baking contest, make a priority list of the three events. Which event do you want to eat at most? Which event can you eat before and still enjoy the social aspect? This season is really all about time spent with friends and family, and food does not need to be the focus of said event to have a good time.
2. Don’t let a one day food splurge become a weekend, week, or month-long splurge
It’s okay to make some food indulgences on a special occasion such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but remember that it is just ONE day and you should be getting back to your nutrition routine right after. If you let your Thanksgiving mindset follow you into the weekend, before you know it, you can undo weeks of hard work if you have been tracking or eating on a certain diet protocol.
3. Prioritize protein and veggies and bring a dish that you love and is aligned with your goals
If you have particular goals and need to stay more on track during the holidays, then the best way to do that is to bring a dish that you know works for your eating habits. If you are Paleo, then make a Paleo dish. If you are going to a restaurant for a work party, then ask about the menu ahead of time, so that you can prepare.
4. Turn holidays leftovers into easy meal prep!
Whether you are hosting or your host is trying to get rid of some leftovers, there are many easy dishes that can be made with leftover turkey!
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Even though this time of year can be a nutrition challenge for many reasons, the best thing to do is think about your overall goals and where you can be in charge. Shauna Niequist says it best in her book Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table:
“I tend to think that when everything is going well, I have the margin to do hard things, to make good choices– to read instead of watch TV, to eat well instead of eat poorly, to engage in deep conversation instead of chatter about other people.
But it’s really the opposite, isn’t it? It’s the making of those harder, better choices right while everything’s a mess that makes the mess a little more manageable.”
If you can make good decisions despite challenges and obstacles then it makes everything else seem much more manageable when times are stable. Above all, this time of year is about joy and love. Accomplish this first and everything else will fall into place.
If you want some accountability help during the holiday season, consider hiring a coach! For inquiries, please email [email protected].
