Healthy Holiday Habits
by Anthony Tassoni, RDN, CSOWM, LDN
Published November 14th, 2024
The holidays are all about traditions and spending time with our loved ones. And guess what? Food is also a big part of these celebrations! But if you’re trying to stay on track with your nutrition and weight loss goals, don’t worry, you don’t have to stress about food! The holidays can be super stressful on their own, so let’s make sure to keep food and eating experiences positive. Here are a few tips to help you out:
Plan a holiday activity that doesn’t involve food, like going for a family walk, running a 5K, playing a game of football outside, or try board games and card games with the family.
Practice mindfulness by slowing down when eating and resisting distractions while you eat. That means turning off the TV and putting your phone away!
Try to savor the indulgent holiday foods. It only takes a few bites for our brains to technically be satisfied, so be sure slow down and savor each bite. Consider where the food came from. Focus on the smell and the appearance, along with the taste. It’s all about creating an experience and memories, so be sure to enjoy each bite!
At a holiday event, you might not be able to control the choices being offered, but you can control what and how much you eat. Try putting food on your plate and sitting down to eat it instead of picking at a tray of something and be sure to survey the choices being offered being putting it on your plate.
I hope these tips can make your holidays a little more enjoyable as you continue on your journey towards good health! If you need further support, be sure to schedule an appointment with your own personal registered dietitian.