Trying to eat clean during the holiday season can bring its own set of challenges if you are a social person. The ability to resist or limit high-caloric food, too much alcohol, biscuits, sugary drinks, desserts, etc., takes discipline but if we end up overindulging, we can expect to see our waistlines expand. So, it’s important to remain mindful and plan for how we will handle these temptations during the holidays.
The Benefits of Eating Clean
Some of the benefits of eating clean include:
- less bloating and discomfort
- a slimmer appearance
- regular bowel movements
- fewer mood swings
- improved brain and heart health
- a stronger immune system
- increased energy levels
Try these 5 tips to help you eat clean during the holidays.
Limit or Skip the Alcohol
Most people don’t realize how many calories are in alcohol. If you drink wine, you can make it lighter by making it a spritzer, adding mineral or seltzer water. Try to avoid high calorie mixed drinks. But let’s not take all the fun out of holiday drinks, if you use our Shaklee products, we have a great recipe for a light-calorie eggnog drink.
Eat Before You Go
Many of us think that the best way to save calories is to skip eating all day before a big holiday meal. False.
It’s always best to eat a small salad or some raw vegetables before going to a holiday gathering. If you are hosting your own holiday gathering, eat lightly throughout the day so you’re not starving by the time the main meal is served.
Eating throughout the day will help you maintain a normal blood sugar level, make you less hungry, and less likely to overeat once the main meal is ready. Nothing is worse than being famished and having a buffet of unhealthy food in front of you; it almost guarantees that you will overeat.
Do it Yourself
If you make your own meals for holiday gatherings, you already know what’s in them. If you’ve been invited out and know that high-calorie foods will most likely be served, offer to bring a dish. With many of us are becoming more in tune with our eating habits, other guests will be glad to know that health-conscious foods will also be on the menu. Most hosts don’t mind having one less dish to prepare.
If you don’t know how or don’t want to cook, then offer to bring a salad. A salad is simple to prepare and the roughage will prevent you from overeating. A vegetable or fruit platter is usually appreciated as well.
Look for Whole Grains
When you’re ready to make your plate, search for foods containing whole grains. Whole grains are full of fiber and better for you than processed grains. So, nix the boxed stuffing, white rice, and other processed grains in favor of whole-grain items. What’s wrong with white rice? The husk has been removed, and that’s where all the B vitamins and fiber are on the rice. While the husk removal makes the rice more tender, it also makes it less nutritional.
Use a Smaller Plate
Do you know what a healthy portion of meat looks like? Most of us don’t. The American Heart Association recommends 3-4 ounces of cooked lean meat or poultry about the size of a deck of cards.
Another recommendation is to use a smaller plate. Our brains judge how full we are based on the amount of food that we have consumed off our plates. Selecting a smaller size plate (10-inch or less) for dinner items will help you save calories yet still leave you feeling satisfied.
We hope you found these tips helpful. For tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of overeating during the holiday, download and read our guide 47 Tips for Healthy Eating During the Holidays.