It’s the season of office parties, family get togethers and all those other parties that happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
You don’t have to give in to temptation just because everyone else does it or it’s considered “normal” to be naughty and pig-out during the holidays and put
on a few pounds.
Make a pledge now not to fall back on all these excuses.
Here are my 10 tips on how to eat healthy this holiday season and avoid jumping back into a diet filled with heavy, fried or fatty foods to keep that post detox diet glow.
1. Think hydration
Drink about 8 glasses of water a day. Carry a bottle of water with you and take regular sips through the day.
If you simple can’t stand to drink plain water jazz it up a bit with add a slice or two of lemon, orange or try these detox waters for everyday drinking.
Beware of alcohol at parties. Not only is it high in calories but it can stimulate your appetite. Try a tomato juice instead
2. Increase your fiber
Fiber is a good appetite suppressant. Not only does it prevent constipation but it’s also good for keeping your blood sugar balanced. When your blood sugar is stable you less likely to get cravings for those unhealthy sweet treats.
Good fiber foods include fresh fruit such as figs and prunes; nuts such as pistachios, which have the lowest fat of all nuts; seeds such as flax or chia (add to your breakfast smoothie, muesli or yogurt; beans such as navy beans, garbanzo beans and kidney beans; whole grains such as quinoa and brown rice.
3. Have a high protein Green Smoothie within an hour of waking
Ditch your sugar-bomb breakfast and keep your hunger and cravings at bay with a Smooth Vitality green smoothie.
Smooth Vitality contains naturally occurring low GI complex carbohydrates and 25% of you recommended fiber intake helping you to feel full and reducing feelings of hunger.
4. Don’t skip meals
Eating three wholefood meals a day with healthy snacks between keeps your blood sugar stable. When you miss meals your blood sugar can drop and it’s all too easy to give in to unhealthy holiday temptations and end up binging because you are famished.
5. Go for the healthy stuff first
When you go to parties or potluck dinners choose the healthy stuff first. Fill your plate with green vegetables, leafy salads and lean protein.
When you nourish your body with these you will be less likely to be tempted with unhealthy cream and starch laden dishes.
Avoid the ones that contain creamy dressings or sauces
6.Take your own
Being invited to a pot luck evening or buffet party is an ideal oportunity to take a healthy vegetable or unusual salad dish.
I find people are always pleased to try something different especially if it’s attractively presented and decorated.
7. Eat before you go
Never go out when you are hungry. Have a green smoothie, a small salad or a plate of non starchy vegetables before you go out to a party or meal to take the edge off your appetite.
Always take a healthy snack with you where ever you go. A truly healthy bar (not all bars are healthy), a packet of plain nuts or seeds or some raw veg can prevent the temptations of sugar laden snacks.
Try these healthy high fiber Spiced Flax Balls:
Ingredients
1 cup of almonds
½ cup of ground flax seeds,
½ cup of dates,
½ cup of raisins,
¼ cup of chopped dried apricots,
¼ cup of shredded coconut,
1 teaspoon of cinnamon,
pinch of nutmeg & ground ginger
Directions:
Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped.
Add rest of ingredients and pulse the mixture until it sticks.
Add a teaspoon or two of water if necessary.
Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls,
Cover and refrigerate.
8. Beware of the alcohol
Beware of alcohol at parties. Not only is it high in calories but it can stimulate your appetite. Stick to tomato juice instead.
Match every glass of alcohol you drink with two glasses of pure water. Take a good bottle of water with you then you will have no excuse.
Hangovers happen not only because you drink too much but also because you’re dehydrated.
Should you be unlucky enough to end up with a hangover try this Detox Hangover Smoothie.
9. Find healthy versions of unhealthy favorites
There are so many recipes online now that it’s easy to find healthy replacements for your not so healthy favorite dishes.
The more you nourish your body with healthy food over time you will find that the things you thought tasted good no longer taste the way you remember them. You will simply lose the taste for them.
If you want quick, healthy, family friendly meals and recipes that accelerate fat loss, are wholesome and nutritious, and that your entire family will love then check out Diana Keuilian’s 110 Family Friendly Fat Burning Recipes.
10. Eat Mindfully and Savour Your Food
Appreciate the aroma and the appearance of your food. Notice the colors, textures, and smells of the food and imagine what it will taste like.
Focus on each mouthful and chew well. It’s so easy when you are talking and trying to eating at a party to shovel in the food and gulp it down without proper chewing.
Not only does it help your digestion but it gives time for your brain to register fullness.
Try to take the time to think about the flavour and texture of the food. Focus on how much you like them or dislike them.
It makes it easier to do this if you can turn the conversation to the meal while you are eating it.
Valerie Bertinelli once said “It’s all about portion control. You can have anything you want if you don’t eat the whole thing. Nothing is ever going to taste as good as the first bite anyway.”
So if you want to keep your Post Detox Diet Glow Over The Holidays make a pledge to follow these tips to eat healthy.
Do you have any other good tips? Share them with my readers in the comment box below. Don’t forget to share this post if you think others will find it useful. Thanks 🙂
