Holidays And Healthy Eating: 5 Ways To Avoid Sabotage And Still Enjoy Yourself

A few morning push-ups may help you push away your plate later.

2. Work out.

Be sure to get in that morning walk, spin class, or run. This will not only boost your energy levels but also kickstart your metabolism. But don’t use your morning workout as an excuse to overindulge later. A morning workout will set you up for success and help you stay on track with your healthy eating and fitness goals.

We all know about tryptophan and turkey. After eating a big meal, we feel tired, sleepy, and suddenly the warm and cozy couch becomes the perfect spot for a post-meal nap. Skip the nap and instead grab your coat and get out for a post-meal walk. It’s a great way to help keep your metabolism working after a big meal and you get to stretch your legs.

3. Avoid the fluff.

These are the sneaky little ways that extra calories pop into our holiday eating. Things like whipped cream, snacks in the office break room, seasonal drinks, like eggnog, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows, cocktails, and of course, gravy. An eggnog latte is OK, but maybe skip the whipped cream on top. Snacks in the office break room around the holidays can be a huge temptation, especially late in the afternoon when we’re already feeling tired and our resolve starts to weaken. Grab a piece of fruit or a glass of water instead and, if possible, avoid the break room.

Holidays mean parties and that also means cocktails. Choose your beverages and sizes wisely by looking for drinks that are less sugary. In the case of holiday beverages, size really does matter. Think about ordering the 12 instead of the 16oz latte; at a holiday party, pour a smaller glass of wine to avoid over-serving and excessive calories.

Gravy…I mean, who can resist? As much as we love the stuff, it’s one of those indulgences that is easily managed. Don’t drown your food in gravy! Think 1-2 spoonfuls to help manage sodium and reduce “fluff” calories.