Even the healthiest of eaters can fall off the wagon during the holidays. After all, for the next few weeks, we’ll be surrounded by cookies, festive cocktails and more carbs (mashed potatoes! Stuffing! Yorkshire pudding!) than we have belt notches for.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to make sure that all of your healthy choices made throughout the year don’t go out the window before January. Here are just a few ideas to keep your diet on track—without feeling like you’re missing out.
Get Your “Comfort” from Somewhere Other than Food
Winter often makes us think of our all-time favorite recipes: hearty stew, gooey mac and cheese, creamy tomato soup, rich hot chocolate. But there’s no need to consume extra calories just to warm up. Consider opting for an aromatic cup of tea instead. This will warm you up inside and out—and keep you from indulging too much.
Keep Things Seasonal and Light
Eating seasonally reduces your impact on the environment and ensures you are eating the freshest produce available. However, just because you’re eating seasonally doesn’t mean that you have to eat heavy foods in winter. There are plenty of delicious vegetables and fruits that are in season at this time of year, including kale, cabbage, beets, pumpkin, potatoes and squash. Consider using these winter veggies in lighter recipes, like our Green Goddess Tilapia Lettuce Wraps.
Buy Frozen
Stocking your freezer with frozen food has a number of benefits when it comes to improving your wintertime nutrition. Not only will you have access to fruits and vegetables that were flash-frozen at the peak of freshness, but having these items on hand can help you avoid the temptation of ordering takeout. Keep veggies and Tilapia fillets in your freezer, and you’ll always have a dinner option you can get on the table in under 30 minutes.
Choose Protein and Fiber
Controlling your calorie intake on a normal day is one thing; doing it while celebrating a holiday requires a different type of willpower. All of your resolutions may go out the window when you come face to face with your favorite holiday meals and snacks. To keep from overeating, the solution is simple: seek out the proteins and vegetables first. Preparing salads, roast vegetables and lean fish for meals will ensure you feel satisfied and comfortably full.
Maintaining your healthy lifestyle over the holidays is important, but don’t beat yourself up for small missteps. Above all else, the season is meant to be enjoyed—so savor every moment.
Cooking at home is key to keeping your meals as healthy as possible. If you need ideas, check out our weeknight dinner hacks.
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