These healthy holiday tips will help you stay fit despite the many temptations of winter. Keep reading to find out more.
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Healthy Holiday Tips for Better Mind and Body
1. Cook Your Meals
It may be tempting to order food or eat at the nearest restaurant during the holiday season, but it’s better to prepare your food from scratch. Cooking your meals allows you to control the amount of food you consume and adjust the nutrients you need.
Make sure you prepare recipes that use less cream, vegetable shortening, and saturated fats. It’s also a better option to cook fish or turkey instead of red meat.
2. Don’t Shop When Hungry
Hunger will double your grocery costs because it increases your temptation to get unhealthy foods. The smell of flavorful ingredients in the market can also raise your level of hunger, making you eat more.
Try to buy groceries after eating your meal or when you’re full so food temptation is lower. It will also allow you to think clearly in choosing healthy items to include in your purchase.
3. Add More Vegetables to Your Meals
Vegetables are the best food options to get a wide variety of nutrients. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Choose dark green veggies as they contain the highest amounts of the nutrients you need. You can also include these healthy holiday foods in your soups and stews, green smoothies, and salads.
4. Be Smart When Eating at Parties
The holiday season is full of invitations and parties, and different types of unhealthy and highly-processed foods can be served.
To ensure you get better food options, try to wander around the food table for a while before you start picking foods. If there are limited or no “healthy options,” then eat the less healthy ones, but consume them in smaller amounts.
You can also eat something healthy before going to a party, so you won’t be tempted to consume a lot at the event. It’s also helpful to keep your distance from the food table, so you won’t mindlessly reach for food as you socialize.
5. Stay Active
The cold season should not be a reason for you to break your workout routine, because there are many ways to stay active.
You can simply go for a walk outside for at least 30 minutes a day to meet people and breathe fresh air. This also helps clear your mind.
Or, you can do your exercise at home and take charge of the household chores.
6. Make Time to Relax Each Day
One important reminder to include on your list of healthy holiday tips is to spend some time relaxing every day despite your busy schedule. This helps lower stress levels physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
You can have a massage, take an aromatic bath, sit down and read your favorite novel, or listen to your favorite music. If it’s difficult for you to do this daily, start at least twice a week and then work your way up.
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7. Don’t Drink Alcohol on an Empty Stomach
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can diminish your ability to control how much you eat and increase your appetite.
Make sure to eat before drinking alcohol and avoid overconsumption. You can opt for red wine as it contains substances healthy for the heart.
8. Take a Short Break After Feeling “Full”
It takes time for your stomach to send a signal to your brain that it’s full. After you’re done with your first helping, stop eating and try to listen to your body.
You can start a conversation with people and drink some water. Doing so will help manage your healthy holiday eating.
9. Focus on People, Not Food
When you’re having lunch or dinner with your loved ones during the holiday season, switch your focus to people and pay attention to what’s going on around you. Spending quality time with them is the most important thing to do during this time, after all.
Talk to them and forget about food after you’ve had your proper meal. Start playing games or do fun and exciting activities with them that can help divert your attention from food.
10. Drink More Water
You may feel less thirsty when it’s cold, but staying hydrated during this time is still important. Water can help cleanse your body through urination and can keep your skin moisturized.
Drink at least eight glasses of water each day as a general rule.
11. Avoid Late-Night Eating
Late-night eating is not a healthy eating habit, because your metabolism slows down when you sleep. This practice also increases your risk of experiencing weight gain and digestive issues.
You need at least two hours before bedtime to let your stomach digest what you eat. If you’re worried you might be hungry later in the evening, load your dinner with veggies and good amounts of protein, fiber, and healthy fat so you feel full longer in a healthy way.
12. Minimize Eating Sweets
Various types of sweets are available on the holidays, but this is not a reason to increase your sugar intake. Sweets are full of added sugar that can significantly contribute to weight gain and other health complications.
You can make your own homemade sweets with less sugar. If possible, opt for desserts that are healthier and less sweet like unsalted nuts or avocados.
13. Get Enough Sleep
This is another important reminder to add to your list of healthy holiday tips. A lack of sleep can lead to several health issues such as tiredness during the day. Achieve at least seven hours of restful sleep each night to allow your body to recharge and heal itself from a day’s stress.
Practice healthy sleeping habits to achieve high-quality sleep, such as:
- Making your room more conducive for sleeping
- Relaxing before going to bed
- Reading or listening to music before sleeping
- Avoiding long naps during the day
- Avoiding caffeine later in the evening
With these healthy holiday tips, your body goals are easily achievable. It’s not only about practicing healthy eating habits to stay fit, but it’s also about doing the best practices, in general, to achieve overall wellness.
Follow these holiday eating tips now and see the best results in your everyday life!
What other healthy holiday tips can you share with us? Leave them in the comments section below!
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