The array of holiday treats that becomes available between Halloween and Christmas can make a person become overwhelmed quickly if they are trying to stick to an eating plan. Here are a few tips to help you manage during the eating craze and stay on track without feeling deprived.
- Set aside 1 serving of your favorite treat to enjoy during the festivities. Fully depriving yourself is only going to lead to wanting it more later. For example, choose 1 or 2 of your favorite dishes and have a sensible portion. For me, it's mashed potatoes and pumpkin roll.
- Eat healthy meals throughout the day. Eating 4-5 small, balanced meals throughout the day will help stabilize your blood sugar and appetite, making it easier to enjoy small portions and stay on track during parties.
- Eat a snack with complex carbs and protein before going to an event. Examples would be an apple with almond butter, cottage cheese and strawberries, carrots and hummus.
- Focus on the people, not the treats. Events are about enjoying time with family and friends, so focus on enjoying the quality time to have fun together.
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is all about being in the present. Start by noticing small details- how cute and innocent your child looks in his or her costume, all of the colors of the leaves, the details of the decorations on houses, etc. Take a deep breath and be in the moment.
- Drink water. Dehydration can lead to hunger, headaches, mood swings, and bloating. Make sure you drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Take a water bottle with you during parties, as it is easy to forget to drink water without having it readily available.
- Exercise. Don't skip exercise just because you think cleaning the house or party prep is enough of a workout. Exercising helps minimize stress, provides clarity, and sets the tone for making good choices. Bonus points if you can workout first thing in the morning.
- Stand away from the snack table. Don't make your hangout near the snack table, or munching becomes inevitable. Grab a small portion of healthy snacks and your treat, and move away.
- Minimize alcoholic drinks. Alcohol tends to lead to dehydration and mindless snacking. Enjoy your 1 glass of wine and then stick with water.
- Start each day fresh. Overdoing it for one holiday isn't going to undo your progress and effort. If you feel like you didn't quite stick to your plan, start fresh the next day and don't try to overcompensate by starving yourself. Get back to exercising and making good choices and don't look back.
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