The holidays are upon us!  We have 3 Healthy Holiday Eating Tips just for you ready to go. While the spirit of the holidays is all about joy, love and connection, the reality is that they can also be filled with quite a bit of stress.  Worrying about what you should and shouldn’t place on your dinner plate at gatherings can add to that stress, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  With enough planning and with the right mindset, it’s possible to approach holiday eating in a healthier, calmer, and more grounded way.  

When working with our clients, we customize their macros for the holidays, depending on their goals, and depending on what they have going on.  For example, if a client is on a cut, but has a lot of social events and dinners planned over the holidays, we might temporarily switch their goal to maintenance for that period of time (in other words, their goal would be to maintain their current weight rather than continue to lose weight over the holidays).  Other clients might choose to stay on a cut for part of the holidays, but go to maintenance calories on certain days when they have social meals planned.  There is no right or wrong here, it depends on each individual client, their goals, and what is realistic for them.  

Regardless of what macros or plan you’re following – or even if you’re not following any type of structured plan – there are many things each of us can do to make holiday eating a bit healthier.  Here are a few general guidelines we teach all of our clients to help minimize stress and to be fully prepared for success.

Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating 

1. Stay in Motion

Being active during the holidays benefits both your physical and mental health. Exercise reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts your mood. Plus, it helps you avoid emotional eating.  

• If you can, get in a walk or a training session on the day of a big meal.  Doing so can help you feel more connected to your goals throughout the day.  
• Even better, get the family involved by embracing active holiday traditions: Take a post-dinner walk with your family, organize a friendly game of tag in the park, or enjoy a pre-gathering yoga session. These activities keep you moving while adding to the holiday cheer.
• Fuel up for a post-feast workout: A big training session the day after a big meal can be fantastic! Your muscles will be well fueled, supporting your workout and boosting your mood.
• Embrace the joy of movement: When you focus on enjoying the activity itself, you’re less likely to view it as a chore. So, put on some festive music, dance with your loved ones, or simply revel in the crisp winter air while walking!

2. Hold on to Healthy Habits.  

A big part of healthy holidays is simply holding on to regular daily habits. Amidst the festive merriment, it’s easy to neglect your regular self-care routines. By prioritizing your daily habits alongside planning for holiday meals, you can navigate the season with grace and stay connected to your health goals.  Here are just a few of the many daily habits we teach our clients:

• Hydrate: Water keeps your energy flowing and helps you make mindful choices. Aim for your usual daily intake, even if it feels like more than usual with all the festivities.
• Nourish your body: Don’t skip meals leading up to the feast. Choose healthy, balanced options to avoid overeating later.
• Connect with your center: Prioritize your morning meditation or preferred self-care ritual. Grounding yourself in mindfulness helps you approach indulgences with awareness and appreciation.
• Celebrate your choices: Remember, you created this healthy lifestyle for a reason! Acknowledge your commitment and enjoy the benefits, like increased energy and improved well-being.

When it comes to the meal itself, here are a few general guidelines: 

• Fill your plate with a good portion of protein and lots of vegetables!  This will help keep satiety high. Remember to listen to your body. Don’t force down another bite if you’re full. Savor what you’ve enjoyed and gently move on.
• Embrace the spirit, not the guilt: Enjoy the company of loved ones and let go of perfectionism around food. It’s okay to have a little extra!
• Mindful indulgence: If a dish is richer than expected, don’t sweat it. Savor smaller portions, appreciate the flavors, and listen to your body’s fullness cues.
• Stress eats you, not the other way around: Remember, stress can lead to overeating. Relax, take a deep breath, and let the spirit of the season bring you fulfillment.
• Always have a glass of water with you as you eat.  Sparkling water is great as it can help keep you full.   
• Always put your knife and fork (or spoon) down between bites. 
• Make sure you chew your food, swallow it, and take a sip of water before picking up your eating utensils again. You’d be surprised at how much more present you become at dinner. 
• Maintain good posture, breathe deeply, and make eye contact with everybody. The whole point of holiday meals is to be social and enjoy the time with your loved ones, so be social. The food isn’t about to run away!
  

3. Focus on the Bigger Picture

Aim for consistent healthy habits most of the time. We want progress not perfection.  Always remember that one meal won’t outdo all your work for the week. Plan it out, approach it mindfully, and enjoy it, guilt-free. The Wonder Women way is about consistent progress. Embrace occasional indulgences, learn from them, and move forward with confidence. You’re on your way to becoming a master of mindful nutrition, making healthy, stress-free choices not just during the holidays, but every day. Pass these healthy holiday eating tips over to a friend today!

Bonus Tip: Take charge of healthy holiday eating by hosting the meal! You can get recipe ideas inside our MacroMastery Cookbook, and learn to prep Macros Based Food by watching this video.

Want expert help? Learn more by signing up to work with us and 100s of other women who have not only learned healthy holiday eating tips, but are living it everyday! You can take a peek at our amazing transformations here, and apply here today!