How to Eat Healthier During the Holidays

Tips & Tricks For Healthy Eating During The Holidays!

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence. However, all the delicious treats can take a toll on our health. Fortunately, there are ways to help you eat healthier during the holidays! Such as making your favorite holiday treats healthier without sacrificing taste and mindful eating. Also, take advantage of the surprising health benefits of seasonal spices.

How To Make Your Favorite Holiday Treats Healthier

Swap Sugar For Natural Sweetener

One way to make your holiday treats healthier is to skip the refined sugars. I suggest that you use natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar. My go-to is monk fruit sweetener, a no-calorie sweetener that is equally keto-friendly. You can use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead of white sugar. These natural sweeteners not only add sweetness but also provide some nutrients.

Use Whole Wheat

Another way to make your holiday treats healthier is to use whole-grain flour instead of refined flour. Whole-grain flour contains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined flour. You can use whole-wheat flour, oat flour, or almond flour instead of white flour.

Add Fruits and veggies to Treats

Fruits and veggies are the real MVPs. Add more of them to your holiday treats. As a matter of fact, hide them in your holiday treats, LOL!😂 For instance, you can add grated carrots or zucchini to your cake or muffins. You can also add fresh fruits like berries, apples, or pears to your pies or crisps. This air fryer pears is perfect for dessert and served with yogurt. Also, check out these red velvet cookies with beets.

Eat Healthier During The Holidays By Reducing Fat

Finally, you can reduce the amount of fat in your holiday treats. Additionally, you can use unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas instead of butter or oil in your baked goods. Equally, you can alternate low-fat dairy products instead of full-fat dairy products.

I hope by using these simple tips, you can make your favorite holiday treats healthier. And as well as enjoy the festive season without any guilt.

Mindful Eating: Enjoying Holiday Meals without Overindulging

The holidays are when we tend to overindulge in food and drinks, leading to unwanted weight gain and guilt. Mindful eating might help; practicing mindful eating can surely help you enjoy your holiday meals without overeating and feeling guilty. Mindfulness will help you eat healthier during the holidays and beyond!

Here are some tips for practicing healthier + mindful eating during the holidays and beyond Please note that these tips are not in any particular order. One or all of them could work for you.

1. Enjoy the Process and Your Food.

First, participate in making your holiday foods. This way, you have mindfully contributed and used some energy. Then, when you sit down to eat, take a few deep breaths and focus on nourishing your body with your fantastic meal. Appreciate your meal and notice the colors, textures, and smells of the food. Do not gulp down your food. Rather, take small bites. Enjoy and savor your food.

2. Listen to your body.

Before you start eating, check in with your body to see if you’re truly hungry. Stop eating when you feel satisfied, not when you’re stuffed. Remember, your brain will take about 20 minutes to register that you’re full. Refrain from filling your plate with every single dish you see on the table.

Don’t eat the foods that will upset your stomach. Avoid picking up any and everything treat/food lying around. Trust me, there will be a lot of it; it’s the HOLIDAYS!

3. Avoid Distractions to Eat Healthier During The Holidays!

Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus solely on your meal. Distraction can cause mindless eating. Pay attention and do not get lost in the moment and then overeat. Also, if you overeat on one or two occasions, it won’t be the end of the world. However, do not make overeating a consistent practice throughout the holidays.

Health Benefits of Seasonal Spices

The Surprising Health Benefits of Seasonal Spices can help you eat healthier during the holidays! Using seasonal spices in cooking not only adds taste and flavor to your dishes but can also offer some surprising health benefits.

For instance, cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar levels, while ginger can reduce inflammation and aid digestion. Nutmeg is known to have antibacterial properties, and cloves contain antioxidants that may help protect against cancer.

Cardamon, star anise, and turmeric are excellent too. So, next time you’re in the kitchen, consider incorporating some seasonal spices into your meals for both taste and health benefits. You can make my easy Turmeric latte (posted on my YouTube Channel). A nourishing and perfect for the fall/winter season!

Last Words: How to Eat Healthier During the Holidays!

Give yourself grace, and make sure to enjoy the holidays! Appreciate the season, family, and friends. Make memorable holiday memories. Include other fun activities that have nothing to do with food. But when it’s time to eat, take a moment to express gratitude for the food on your plate and the people you’re sharing the meal with. Check out my book Gratefully Growing, a great read during the holidays! 

As stated many times, the most important thing about the holiday is to enjoy your time with your family and friends. I hope these tips help you do just that. Most importantly, I hope these tips help you eat healthier during the holidays!
Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Not sure what to cook for the holiday dinners? Grab my Free 7-Day Dinner Plan for easy, healthy dinner ideas!!

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