It's that time of year again - Thanksgiving and the Winter holidays. It can be hard to keep up with a healthy routine when there's so much food and partying, but with a few minor changes, you can stay on track and even enjoy yourself!
Here are our tips for staying fit during the Holidays.
1. Get Your Sleep Schedule In Check
Squeezing in some extra workouts or parties can take a toll on your sleep schedule. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to feel energized in the morning. Avoid late nights and caffeine after 2 pm so you can relax at night and get a good night's sleep.
2. Choose Bite-sized Snacks Over Large Meals
Eat healthy snacks throughout the day to keep your blood sugar steady, and avoid snacking on unhealthy foods like cookies and candies, which will only make you feel sluggish. Pack some nuts and fruit for on-the-go snacks to help keep you feeling full and prevent overeating at holiday parties.
3. Choose Homemade Foods Over Processed Foods
Opting for fresh ingredients instead of pre-packaged goods can significantly improve healthy eating during the holidays. Instead of boxed cookies made with artificial ingredients, try making oatmeal raisin cookies at home with whole grains like oats and natural sweeteners like honey or pure maple syrup.
4.Eat More Vegetables
Focus your menu on nutritious options rather than unhealthy ones. Limit your intake of sugary drinks and fried foods and instead fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are healthier and higher in fiber which will help keep you full longer.
5. Practice Portion Control
A good rule is to eat until you are 80% full, which means not stuffing yourself with too much food in one sitting and leaving room for dessert (a healthy dessert of course)! Pay attention to the serving sizes listed on the nutrition label and choose smaller portions to help limit your calorie intake.
6. Choose Alternative & Healthier Recipes
Mashed cauliflower is an excellent substitute for mashed potatoes without all the fat and calories! Instead of using heavy cream in your recipes, try coconut milk, which has less saturated fat and fewer calories than traditional dairy cream. Some other recipes you could try are: