The holidays are a time of joy and excitement.
The family gets together, lovely music plays in the background, and delicious food is enjoyed.
However, the holidays can also cause a lot of anxiety and feelings of guilt. There is so much food surrounding you, that sometimes it’s hard to stick to a meal plan.
Eating healthy during the holiday season can be stressful, though it doesn’t have to be.
I definitely know first-hand the feelings of guilt surrounding the holidays. I would try so hard to eat healthy but inevitably would indulge in a slice (or two) of apple pie.
The worst part was that instead of enjoying it, I’d feel ashamed of myself for not being able to say no to dessert.
It wasn’t until last year during the Tone It Up Holiday Hustle that I learned to enjoy this time of the year without feeling guilty.
I know I’m not the only one who has struggled with these feelings, so I wanted to share what I’ve learned about eating healthy during the holiday season.
Focus on what really matters during the holiday season
As I mentioned above, the holidays are a time to get together with family and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s also a time to be grateful for the love that surrounds you and the fact you’ve been given yet another chance to follow your dreams.
So instead of worrying about how many calories the mashed potatoes, apple pies, or gravy have, focus on enjoying all the great things surrounding you.
I used to ruin family gatherings for myself by obsessing over food instead of enjoying spending time with loved ones.
I encourage you to try to push those thoughts aside by focusing on what truly matters and what makes you happy.
It’s okay to enjoy the food
Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s totally okay to enjoy the food.
Like I said, I would eat a slice of apple pie and instead of enjoying it, I’d let guilt take over.
If you’re going to eat something that’s not a part of your daily nutrition, it’s totally okay to enjoy it.
Just because it has a bit more sugar than you’d like, doesn’t mean your tastebuds can’t appreciate the taste.
Take the opportunity to enjoy delicious homemade food. After all, it only comes once a year.
Stick to your meal plan when possible
Another thing to keep in mind is that just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you can throw away the towel and give up on eating healthy.
Stick to your nutrition plan and eat intuitively. Eating healthy during the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to decline sweets.
Finding balance is the key. If you feel satisfied by eating lean protein and healthy carbs, you’re less likely to overindulge when the big meal comes around.
Plus, what I’ve noticed is that the more I restrict myself, the more I want to eat unhealthy foods.
Instead of telling yourself you can’t eat something, just think whether or not you really want it.
If the answer is yes, go for it. But if you think you’re full and it’ll make you sick, pass on it or save it for later!
The goal is to listen to what your body needs, and not just during the holidays.
The more you can get in the habit of listening to your body and fueling it with what feels good, the better you’ll feel overall.
Just enjoy yourself
At the end of the day, all I hope you do is enjoy the holiday season.
Have fun, be merry, celebrate with loved ones, and most importantly, thank your body and mind for everything they do for you day in and out.
Happy holidays to you and your fam!
