The holiday season is here - a time to celebrate, socialise, and enjoy. But with all the extra events, rich foods, and holidays, it’s easy to feel like your healthy habits can be a little harder to stick to.
With a few practical strategies, you can navigate this season while staying consistent with your nutrition and health goals - and without missing out on the fun.
Here are my top tips to help you feel your best this holiday season:
1. Eat Protein Before You Go Out
Heading to a holiday party? Don’t go on an empty stomach.
Having a small, protein-packed snack beforehand can full you up so you don't arrive hungry and ready to eat all of the cheese rolls, mini pies and canapes. Have one of these high protein snacks before you head out:
- 1-2 boiled eggs.
- Smoothie or milk with protein powder.
- A small bowl of Greek yogurt with berries.
-Some cottage cheese and tomatoes with a little salt and pepper.
2. Stick to the 80/20 Rule
Strict diets can be much harder to stick to during the holidays. Instead, aim for balance. Make nutritious choices 80% of the time and leave room to enjoy your favourite holiday treats some of the time.
For example:
- Focus on lean proteins and vegetables during meals but allow yourself a slice of cake or some dessert.
- Enjoy your holiday favourites, but try to avoid mindless snacking by prioritising protein 3 meals per day.
3. Hydrate Strategically
With holiday drinks flowing, hydration often gets overlooked. Staying hydrated is key to managing hunger, maintaining energy, and supporting digestion.
Some easy hydration hacks:
- Keep a water bottle handy throughout the day.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or soda water.
- Add electrolytes to your water to increase fluid intake - especially if you had a few drinks the night before. (use my discount code ANGHEALTH25 FOR 25% off at https://mnrl.co.nz/)
4.Know How to Reset and Get Back on Track with Your Healthy Habits
One indulgent meal or day doesn’t mean you have ruined all of your hard work. Remember: consistency beats perfection.
If you feel like you’ve overdone it, don’t stress. The most important thing is to focus on what you do next. Here’s how to reset:
- Start fresh at your next meal: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like lean protein, veggies, and healthy fats.
- Stick to your routines: Get back into meal planning and prepping, regular workouts, and hydration.
- Avoid extremes: Skip the crash diets or excessive workouts to "make up for it." Instead, focus on nourishing your body and moving consistently.
5. Enjoy Yourself
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and that includes the food. If you want to indulge in your favourite festive treat or have an extra glass of wine, go for it - but leave the guilt behind.
Beating yourself up over indulgences only adds unnecessary stress. Instead, enjoy the moment, savour your favourite foods, and then return to your healthy habits at the next opportunity.
Looking for a nutritionist near you? I help women over 40 navigate their health and nutrition goals so they can live long, healthy lives. If you would like help, book a free discovery call with me.
Comments