Holiday Survival Guide

By Rebekah Zehr, Parent Committee Coordinator

Halloween always seems to be the turning point from back to school, changing leaves and outdoor activities to all things holiday.  And the holiday season lasts from now until the beginning of January.  That’s two months out of twelve that we go to all kinds of special parties and dinners.  It becomes so easy for our healthy eating lifestyle to get derailed by all the tempting foods available. Let’s decide now that this season will not lead to derailment!  Here are ten tips to help you stay on track.

1. Become very intentional now in telling yourself that you will not be derailed.  You will completely enjoy the holiday season and not feel defeated. For the next two months commit to maintaining your weight.
2. Rest and get exercise.  Both are very important in keeping your metabolism high.  Go for a walk outside with a friend or family member and enjoy all the pretty decorations.
3. Eat well during mealtimes.  Fill your plate with lots of leafy greens and non starchy veggies (such as salads:).  Include protein in your diet to help you feel satiated.  If your blood sugar is regulated, you won’t be headed to parties ready to dive into all the high sugar treats.  They just won’t be as compelling.
4. At a dinner/party, be selective with the food you put on your plate.  To make sure you have at least one healthy item, bring something to add to the table.  Look for raw veggies and other unprocessed options to put on your plate first.  Then add small portions of a couple foods that you absolutely love- even if they aren’t that good for you.  Don’t deprive yourself of enjoying something that you have waited all year for!
5. Cultivate healthy eating habits.  Sit down to eat.  Relax and savor the food.  Take some deep breathes.  Eat slowly and enjoy the conversations around you.
6. Keep foods around your house that are festive and healthy.  When you get a craving, go for these foods first.  Some ideas are:  mixed nuts in the shell, a few varieties of specialty cheese, pomegranates, a new sweet potato dish, or a special, unsweetened holiday tea or coffee.
7. Speaking of drinks, eat your treat don’t drink it.  High sugar drinks hit your system like a flood, causing high blood sugar spikes.  If you are ready to enjoy something sweet, eat it!  It will digest much slower than a sugary drink.
8. Do you have lots of leftover treats after the party that you hosted?  Give them away!  Find a family that has teenage boys with high metabolisms and bless them.  You don’t need all the indulgent food staring at you from the countertops every time you walk in the kitchen.
9. Keep your family traditions but seek healthier alternatives that are delicious.  For example, try something different with your traditional family lasagne.  Use whole wheat noodles, add spinach or sub some of the noodles with thin slices of zucchini or eggplant.
10. The words that you tell yourself are powerful!  If you happen to completely overindulge one night, do not give yourself a guilt trip and convince yourself that you are a failure.  Just get up the next morning, have a great breakfast and don’t look back!!  My favorite reset breakfast is scrambled eggs with non starchy veggies, hold the high carb bagels/breads.  Or I have a big bowl of cooked old fashioned rolled oats, no sugar, with berries or diced apples.

*Bonus tip- complements of my husband.  Don’t watch every football game that is playing.  It’s way too much sitting.  Also, you tend to mindlessly snack while you are sitting which can be a double whammy.

I hope these tips help you to be proactive this holiday season.  I am glad I had a chance to write this and remind myself of these strategies as the holiday season can be challenging for me as well.

If you try any of these tips, let me know how they worked for you.  Looking forward to hearing about your progress between now and January.