This holiday, you can take a better approach when it comes to eating healthy while still indulging in those tasty holiday dishes. The holiday season is all about family and friends coming together to enjoy home-cooked food, and share traditions of holiday treats. However, if you are health conscious and want to be mindful of the foods you are eating, then here are some tips you can follow to keep your nutrition intake balanced.
In this blog, we are looking at the useful tips and tricks you can follow this holiday season to ensure you are staying on track with your health goals.
1. Plan Your Meals
Be prepared. During this holiday season, plan out your meals ahead of time. Depending on if you are hosting or attending as a guest, you can plan out either what you are making or what you could contribute to a meal. Always make dishes or bring a dish that you can eat and will enjoy eating. This way, you can make sure to stay on track with healthy options and avoid last-minute unhealthy choices that can derail your nutrition goals.
2. Opt for Healthier Alternatives
A lot of holiday favorites can be heavily loaded with extra calories, especially the traditional recipes. What you can do is you can go for healthier substitutes. For instance, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, go for root vegetables instead of a lot of grains, and incorporate more vegetables into your dishes. All these will not only make your meal lighter, but they will also boost their nutritional value.
3. Practice Mindful Eating
When you eat, be mindful about what you are doing. Mindful eating is a practice that encourages you to be present and calm during meals. Taking three breaths before you eat allows your body to get into the parasympathetic nervous system, or rest and digest mode. This allows you to digest and absorb your nutrients. Chewing your food thoroughly will also support your digestion. As the holidays approach, it is much easier to indulge in overeating our favorite dishes, but you can counteract that by practicing mindful eating. You should focus on eating slowly, savoring each bite, and connecting and conversing with your family during meals. This practice not only enhances your dining experience but also allows your body to register fullness, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
4. Portion Control
A smart way for you to keep track of your nutrition includes practicing portion control. This means that rather than filling your plate with multiple loads, you can enjoy a variety of food by filling your plate with a smaller amount of each dish without overindulging. You can also trick your brain by using smaller plates which may look like you are eating more. Your brain will think you are eating more than you actually are, which helps to keep portions in check.
5. Drink Sufficient Water
With the celebrations, family, and other personal activities happening, you can forget to stay hydrated. One of the most important things when it comes to staying healthy is drinking sufficient water. Moreover, there are various reasons why you need to drink sufficient water to help maintain your energy levels and to support your digestion system. So, make a routine of drinking water before meals to keep you feeling fuller and to reduce the possibility of overeating. This way, you can enjoy some of the delicious treats without overeating them.
6. Consult a Functional Nutritionist
Often during the holiday season, your well-balanced diet can be disrupted, and you may go through some significant challenges in maintaining your health goals. One of the best things you can do is consult a functional nutritionist at Healthy Heartbeet Nutrition Counseling.
Lori is one of the most sought-after functional nutritionists in Maryland, and she will help you with her top-notch knowledge of functional nutrition, by helping you feel your best before, during, and after the holiday season. Not only can she help you plan meals and provide nutritious recipes, you will receive a personalized plan to help you achieve optimal wellness. She offers one-on-one counseling as well as corporate wellness programs and seasonal cleanses that will help detoxify and boost your immune system as the season changes and winter approaches. Lori will help you to stay fit and healthy during this holiday season. Get the support you need by hiring the best functional nutritionist in Maryland to stay fit and healthy.
In Conclusion
To conclude, the holiday season doesn’t have to wreck your nutrition plans. All you need is a plan, mindfulness, portion control, drinking sufficient water, and choosing healthy options. Working with a functional nutritionist in Maryland can help you stay on top of your health during the holiday season. So, with the right strategies and nutritional guide from experts, you can easily enjoy the holiday while still indulging in some of your favorite traditional treats.