Christmas is, in my opinion, the most joyous time of year. Everywhere you look there’s some type of Christmas cheer around. 

Ribbons and lights are wrapped around every pole and building, reds and greens are staple clothing colors, and food is constantly being placed in front of you.

Although fun and joyous, even if you want to avoid them, holiday parties are a must — and are sometimes even placed on your calendar without your consent.

Parties are fun, but are always linked to food. Holiday food can be linked to enjoyment, which often leads to overeating and weight gain.

Holiday Food Temptations

I’ve previously written about holiday eating and the challenges we’re all faced with during this time of year, but Christmas truly is its own separate entity. Many people have claimed that Thanksgiving is the most difficult Holiday for them, considering the incredibly large food options for one day.

Thanksgiving is often only celebrated on one day with a possible second or third celebration depending on the family. I get it that your Thanksgiving may be spread out over the course of two or three days, possibly even a week.

But Christmas is literally a month long celebration. It seems as though TV stations do a countdown on Halloween night, and as soon as the clock turns midnight, Christmas commercials are blasted! My point is that Christmas is a wonderful holiday filled with so much love and fun, but the food is unavoidable, and that is where the ultimate challenge of the year comes in. Christmas is a special time of year, but we have to remember that calories still count!

I often tell people that Thanksgiving can be the best prep before celebrating Christmas. If you eat decently on Thanksgiving Day, then you’re more inclined to eat well at your next holiday celebration. Fighting off the urge to indulge in extra food during a holiday gathering can help you gain self-control which can come in handy at the next big hoopla.

Whether you made unhealthy choices over Thanksgiving or not, it’s not impossible to be healthy during the month of December. Many of you have probably read/heard advice on how to stay healthy during the holidays, but it’s easier said than done.

5 Simple Tricks to Eat Healthy Throughout the Holiday Season

My best advice is to simplify it. Don’t let trying to be healthy cause you a mental breakdown because it’s become too stressful. There really are a few simple tricks that I use that have helped me keep my nutrition on point as I sail through the holidays:

1. Drink water consistently throughout your day and try not to stray away from your water bottle. It’s easy to become dehydrated during the holidays, which may leave your body feeling hungry when you really need some H₂O. Staying hydrated can help you have a satisfied belly.
2. Do not linger near the food table – wherever you may be. It’s almost impossible to go to a party where food tables don’t exist, so help yourself out by avoiding the area where they’re located. It’s hard to resist the food when you’re standing and chatting right next to it.
3. Have a healthy snack that consists of lean protein and fruits or vegetables before you attend any type of social gathering. Even if you’re going to a celebration dinner, eat a bite before leaving – this will keep your hunger at bay, which will help you stay mindful when fixing or ordering your plate.
4. Only fill up your plate once. This is a big one, because it's difficult to limit your plate to only so many foods, but this will prevent excess calorie intake. If there was a dish that you really wanted to try, you can always fix a to-go plate for yourself. This option is better than overeating.
5. Exercise is something that you only need about 30 minutes to do. Just a little bit can go a long way, especially when it comes to eating those extra calories. A holiday is no reason to skip out on being physically active.

Conclusion

Even if Thanksgiving didn’t go as well as you had expected, that doesn’t mean you can’t still meet goals during the Christmas season. Challenge yourself to start practicing eating healthy during the holidays by using my 5 tips and start today. Let December be your fresh start!

How do you stay healthy during the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!