WHAT TO EAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
WHAT TO EAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Mariah Elizabeth
I can not believe the HOLIDAY SZN is upon us already. Before you start stressing out, take a deep breath and keep reading.
The holiday season can be stressful for many reasons, but a lot of lot people (including myself) get stressed about the food situation. Let's face it, every event for the next two months practically revolves around food. It's easy to pack on the extra calories, and spiral out of control. *Speaking from experience.*
It's all fun and games until you try to squeeze back into your jeans..
If you're trying to avoid food stress, weight gain, and still enjoy the holiday parties, keep reading!
This first tip is VERY important. Keep your daily routine as normal as possible. Yes, you may be attending holiday parties, staying out later than normal, and eating foods that you don't normally eat, but you should try to maintain a similar routine. If you throw everything out the window, you might find yourself heading down the slippery slope.
Let's start with DIGESTION. Keeping your digestion in check is KEY to feeling like a champ throughout the Holiday Season.
Gluten sensitive!? Avoid it! As someone who struggles with this every year, I know that it is just NOT worth the bloat to dabble in some gluten containing foods. If you're like me, and can't resist the dessert table, bring your own dessert! Don't have shame in the gluten-free game. I always offer to bring a dessert (even if I'm not asked to) because I know that when everyone else is diving into the dessert table, I'll be able to eat something too! I will also stash a dark chocolate bar in my purse, just in case. As long as I have options, I never feel deprived.
Invest in some digestive enzymes! I use mine year round, and I especially love them for times when I'm eating foods that aren't in my normal "daily diet." They work great for keeping me less bloated after a meal, and they help to keep me regular.
If you don't already take probiotics, you need to!! Especially when you're eating Holiday food that might create a less diverse gut flora. You want more GOOD bacteria, than BAD bacteria.
Charcoal pills.. I can thank Dave Asprey for this gem. It's practically impossible to avoid every single food sensitivity over the Holidays. When the gas and bloating kicks in, it's time to take a charcoal pill. They work like magic!
Avoid going right to bed after eating. What would the Holiday's be without stuffing your face a little? Hey, it happens. If it does.. make sure you don't go to sleep right away! You need at least 1-2 hours for digestion before hitting the sheets. Digestion takes a lot of energy, and it's important to allow your body time to digest before it goes into restore mode while sleeping.
Now that your digestion is on point, let's talk about food!
We talked about keeping your daily routine as normal as possible, so if you're more of a low carb/high fat eater, you should try to stay as close to that as possible. Trust me, you will get your fair share of carbs around the holidays, but if you can make some swaps to keep it lower, why not!?
Mashed Potatoes .. It's a Thanksgiving staple, but it's also very "starchy." Excess carbohydrates are stored as fat, so I try to cut corners where I can! If you're a big mashed potato girl, trying swapping it for cauliflower mash! It honestly tastes just as amazing, but more nutritious and less carbs!
Win, win!!
There may be less healthy options at a Holiday Party, but there are always better options. Try to eat a vegetable with every meal! Maintaining a good intake of fiber will aid with digestion, and feed those good gut bacteria that we talked about earlier.
It's so easy to spiral out with the sweet treats. A little here, a cookie there, and then next thing you know, you're in a food coma. The trick I found is that if I make ONE plate of dessert, sit down, and enjoy it. I'm satisfied! If not, I'll continue to swoop in and keep grabbing more all night. I have what I want, and then I go mingle. Once you've told yourself you're done, it's easier to move on from the food, and enjoy the night! After all, it is about spending time with loved ones.
The Holiday Season is all about balance. You can't feel deprived or else you'll want it even more. Stick to your routine, get plenty of sleep, workout when you can, and don't overthink it!
Happy Holidays!