The holidays are always an interesting time of year. While the time with loved ones and reminder to be thankful and give more than we receive is a common theme, there’s also a good amount of stress and social gatherings to attend which can start to derail our hard work. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be your reality.
In the first of our two part series, we’re going to give simple tips to successfully navigate holiday parties without having to skip them altogether in order to stay focused on your health. Make sure to check out part two next week where we dive into stress management techniques so you can emerge from the season stress free and ready to conquer anything.
Do not, we repeat, DO NOT attend a party hungry!
Have a healthy, filling snack before you arrive so you don’t feel an overwhelming urge to make a beeline for the food the second you step foot inside. Ideas include a protein shake, veggies with hummus, trail mix, fresh green juice – the possibilities are endless! Also, bring some snacks with you, because you will inevitably start to get hungry as the night wears on. Depending on how long you plan to stay, you might even have a full meal before you arrive. But more than anything, make the night about the people – not the food. You came there to see friends old and new and make memories – so do just that and enjoy yourself!
For meal based events, use the mostly veggies and mini portions approach.
This strategy is a two parter – first, fill up your plate at least 50% with fresh veggies. If you’ve been seeking more sustainably raised food, the meats prepared elsewhere (i.e. not by you and without the due diligence you’d usually give the buying process) are hit and miss from a quality perspective, so it’s a safer bet to keep it mostly fresh veggies to avoid meats with antibiotics and other nonsense. After you’ve filled up with at least 50% veggies , if you plan on indulging in various foods you don’t normally eat, have very small portions buffet style, versus mammoth portions you can barely finish. Essentially, look to have a bunch of small portions that add up to one “meal”. This will help with the blood sugar rollercoaster most of us get during holidays meals. Which brings us to our next tip …
Choose which events you’ll be indulging in, and which ones you’ll be sticking to the plan.
Generally, we will use our mini buffet approach for Thanksgiving. All other parties, we stick to our plan of mostly veggies and eating prior. Take a few moments to map out in your mind what’s worth it and what’s not. Remember that these parties are supposed to be about making memories with all the great people in your life – don’t let food and indecision overshadow them. Decide up front what makes sense for you and your goals and lifestyle, and then follow through on that self promise.
Planning to drink? Opt for simple cocktails over the sugar laden stuff.
Look for options with just a couple ingredients, like a vodka cran (minus the simple syrup). Also, set a limit and stick to it. Those drinks add up big time. If you’re in to drinking but don’t want to feel left out, bring some kombucha and pour it in a wine glass – and then go on with your bad self – we’ve done this plenty of times, no shame 😉
Don’t let comments like “just live a little” sway you. Do what works for you, period.
It’s hard eating healthy and making self care related decisions on the daily. Even with the rise in a lifestyle that’s centered around thriving instead of just surviving through each day [barely], many people still feel resistance from their loved ones. We wrote a great post on this very topic, How To Follow Your Nutrition Plan Even When People Pressure You. We recommend reading it over and over again until you believe 100% in the power of YOU to make good choices despite outside opinion.
Make something delicious to bring with!
There are so many options in the healthy eating universe. One example is a berry cobbler recipe we bring to virtually every event. People devour it and are always shocked when she tell them what’s in it (not a bunch of processed stuff). Come up with a couple recipes that comply with your personal wellness guidelines and bring them with you to the part-ay. Just make sure to set some aside for yourself!
Host a party!
One way to ensure you stick to your personal wellness goals? Be the host! Invite people over to partake in your homemade dishes and introduce your friends and family to healthy foods that don’t taste bland and boring. They will likely be pleasantly surprised and inspired to learn more. For recipe ideas make sure to check out our November Recipe Round Up!
We hope these tips give you the confidence to master any and all holiday parties this season. Have more strategies that have worked for you? Share with us in the comments! Stay tuned for part two next week: stress reducing techniques for the holiday season!
Until Next Time,
Sham & Christina
Inspired Wellness
About Inspired Wellness
We are a wellness movement aimed at cultivating greatness in all areas of life. We believe that everything is connected and that having the body of your dreams shouldn’t come at the price of your mental and emotional health. You CAN have it all; you just need some determination, grit and the desire to truly change your life!
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One Comment
I will use some of these tips over the next two months 🙂 Also is your berry cobbler recipe available?