Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

With the holidays coming up, grocery stores are full of yummy seasonal treats, and the season of baking is in full swing. Thanksgiving may be behind us, but for most of us, the entire month of December is a kind of celebration, and that involves a lot of food. Chilly winter days, which we have plenty of here in the Northeast, also lend themselves to lots of snacking when we’re stuck indoors. 

Baking sweet treats and feasting with family are great ways to celebrate the season, so it’s important that we can do so mindfully! That’s why I want to talk about my three biggest tips for preventing holiday overeating and derailing your progress. 

1. Don’t Make it All About the Food.

The holidays often mean indulging in treats, like steaming cups of hot chocolate and warm cookies. That doesn’t mean that every activity has to involve food, though! Make an effort this season to plan festivities that aren’t food-centered. It can be easy to use food to keep you occupied, but instead try other activities, like family walks or crossword puzzles. 

2. Don’t Avoid Eating Before the Feast.

Just like we shouldn’t indulge every day, we also shouldn’t be starving ourselves when great food is around. If you avoid eating before a big dinner, you’re much more likely to overdo it. Eat healthy snacks throughout the day so that you can save some room for dinner, but won’t be ravenous once it comes. However, if your approach for your holiday feast is recognizing that it’s just one dinner and won’t ruin your progress, I encourage you to indulge, and then get back to regular eating with the very next meal. 

3. Find Ways to Relax. 

Relaxation can be hard to come by during the holidays, but it’s so important that we find time for it. For extroverts, this might mean spending time with our loved ones, and for introverts, it may mean the opposite. If you are an introvert, allow yourself that necessary alone time so that you can unwind with a solo walk or time with a book. If you’re an ambivert like me, this will mean finding a balance of both. I love to spend time with people, and I also need some down time to just chill by myself. No matter how you prefer to unwind, it’s important to make time for relaxation during the holidays.

The holidays are a great time to celebrate and enjoy time with our loved ones, so soak up every moment! While you’re out showing love and gratitude to everyone else, make sure you show a little to yourself, as well.

How are you going to be celebrating this season? Let me know in the comments!