The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends and, of course, festive foods. But for many of us, it can also be a time of stress, indulgence and, ultimately, slipping into habits that can interfere with long-term health goals. While it’s important to enjoy traditional foods, it’s equally crucial to nourish yourself so you feel your best.

Celebrations and feeling lousy or bloated don’t have to go hand in hand. If you want to stay on track and enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your health or slipping back into unhealthy habits, we’ve got your covered.

Here are a few tips to help you eat well and feel great through the holidays.

• Focus on Whole, Nourishing Foods: While holiday meals often center around indulgent dishes, fill your plate with fiber-rich vegetables, lean proteins and heart-healthy fats. Picture this: Half of your plate is filled with colorful veggies or salad for a happy gut, one-quarter is protein (think chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, yogurt or tofu) and one-quarter is starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes or whole grains, like brown rice, oats or quinoa. Then add in a few servings of fruits and heart-healthy fats, like olive oil, avocados, fatty fish, nuts and seeds each day. This combination will keep you satisfied and nourish your body, balancing out the heavier options.
• Mindful Portion Control: Traditional high-fat and sugary holiday foods filled make it easy to overeat. Enjoy your favorites, but practice mindful eating by savoring each bite and honoring your hunger cues. Eating slowly can help prevent overindulgence and keep you from feeling overly full or sluggish. Enjoy those once-a-year holiday foods, just remember not to make every meal a feast.
• Prioritize Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, avocados and fatty fish are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds that support healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and overall wellness. And because these foods also help to stabilize blood sugar levels, you’ll also feel more energized during busy holiday gatherings.
• Stay Hydrated: Fried foods, salty snacks and celebratory drinks can dehydrate us. And with all the hustle and bustle, hydration can easily get overlooked. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and aim for herbal teas or sparkling water with pomegranate seeds, berries or a squeeze of lime for a festive, refreshing alternative to sugary drinks. And if you are drinking alcohol, alternating with one full glass of water between drinks to stay hydrated.
• Balance and Enjoy: The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so allow yourself the occasional treat without guilt. Choose the holiday foods you REALLY want to enjoy and fully enjoy those foods. Really notice how the food tastes. Balance indulgence with nourishing choices, and don’t stress over the occasional extra bite of dessert. Nourishing yourself is not about deprivation, it is about honoring what will serve you in that moment and afterwards. Sometimes that may mean enjoying that sweet treat or heavy food with family and friends, and other times that may mean bypassing foods that you know will not leave you feeling good later.

To make things easier, I’ve put together a collection of Healthier Holiday Desserts and Healthier Hanukkah Recipes that are festive, flavorful and nourishing. Check them out for some delicious ways to celebrate without sacrificing your health goals!

Try our Healthier Holiday Desserts recipe collection! All 15 of these desserts provide at least 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.

Click here for your FREE 15 Healthier Holiday Desserts collection!

Or, try our Healthier Hanukah Recipes collection! All 10 of these recipes are delicious recipes to serve during Hanukkah or anytime of the year!

Click here for your FREE 10 Healthier Hanukkah Recipes collection!

Cheers to a happy, healthy and delicious holiday season!