Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

Holiday cheer is here, and there’s great food all around just begging to be enjoyed. If you’re working on prioritizing your health, you may be tempted to plug your nose and look the other way to avoid those sweet temptations. 

I've had a lot of conversations recently with people who are trying to stay healthy through the holiday season, and I completely understand the struggle. The last night of Hanukkah was Sunday, so my family has been celebrating together, and there has definitely been plenty of food around as a part of that celebration. 

I'm really happy with the progress towards my personal health goals that I’ve made recently, and I also love celebrating the holidays. So this is the best advice I’ve given to myself and others who have asked for advice about what to eat on a holiday: eat the pie!

That may not have been what you would have expected me to say, but sometimes, that’s just what you need to hear! Sometimes, we work so hard on staying healthy that we forget to enjoy our holiday season.  However, we should always plan to enjoy the little things in life, and sometimes there’s just nothing like a slice of pie after a holiday feast. If pie isn’t your thing, that’s completely fine. When your favorite holiday treat comes around, enjoy a sugar cookie, mug of hot chocolate, or buttery dish you might not typically choose for yourself. Flavorful food is a delicious way to celebrate, so don’t feel like you have to skip out on the holidays. 

One delicious meal for a holiday dinner is not going to make or break your progress–it’s just one meal. 

If you are indulging a little during the holidays, one way to make sure you don’t go overboard is to enjoy that meal to its fullest without letting that meal turn into a day, week, or month. Load up your plate when the time comes with your favorite dishes, but don’t live on leftovers and sugar cookies for the next two weeks. Enjoying your dinner and then getting back to your plan is the best way to make sure that the holidays don’t negatively impact all the progress you’ve worked so hard for. Life is all about balance, and the holidays are no different! 

I’m not about dieting, or hunger, or giving up your glass of wine with dinner. I want you to eat your favorite foods and live a life you love! 

It's probably not the best idea to feast for weeks before and after a holiday if you want to maintain your progress, but you also shouldn’t starve yourself before a meal. Find a happy balance in your holiday, and you’ll still be able to wake up the next day and feel great. 

What’s your favorite holiday treat? Let me know in the comments!

If you need some inspiration for healthy living, please join me in my Facebook group Never Diet Again for a great community filled with great discussion!