Thanksgiving is coming up so I wanted to share five strategies for healthy holiday eating you may like to consider to help you feel your best, stay on track with your goals and be satisfied and happy.
I want you to feel excited about the holidays, not have dread or anxiety. My hope is that you can use these strategies to enjoy yourself and walk away feeling healthy and happy, not bloated, lethargic and guilty.
Here are my five strategies for healthy holiday eating that will help you feel great physically and mentally:
- Avoid or limit the things that don’t work for your body. For example, if you know dairy doesn’t make you feel good, eat less of the foods with heavy dairy. If you absolutely love the green bean casserole maybe just make your own or have a bite or two. If it’s not something you love, skip it.
- Start with the healthy things. Perhaps start with salad to get some fiber and turkey for protein, which are both super filling. Then enjoy a few bites of the other things and savor them.
- Constantly check in with yourself. Ask yourself questions like..
“Am I actually hungry, or am I just eating because it’s there?”
“Do I even like this thing I am eating?”
“How does eating this make me feel?”
Then listen to your body’s needs- don’t ignore them. If you do this, you’ll walk away feeling great! - Move your body. You can definitely get up and run a 10k that morning but it isn’t necessary. After the big meal you may want to go for a walk or simply get up and move around, help with dishes, something that gets you moving. This will help with digestion and stops you from mindlessly grazing.
- Remember there’s no reason to feel guilt and you do not need to justify your actions to anyone. Guilt doesn’t erase your eating choices. Perhaps if you ate something that didn’t make you feel great, note it for next time but guilt is a waste of energy. Move along. And if someone asks why you’re choosing not to eat something or gives you a hard time don’t make a big deal of it. Just say no thank you, and move along.
What’s your favorite healthy eating strategy during the holidays or other times in life? Comment below!
Your Coach,
Kyra
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