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    Home » Healthy Vegan Living » Health and Nutrition

    Six Tips for Healthy Holidays

    Published: Nov 4, 2020 · Modified: May 12, 2023 by Dianne · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Six Tips for Healthy Holidays leaves and gourds on black background

    Healthy holidays may sound like an oxymoron, but it is possible to stay healthy while celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve if you come up with a plan and stick to it. I've put together 6 tips to help!

    Six Tips for Healthy Holidays, cranberry sauce on wooden background

    Healthy Holidays

    Did you know that as a nation, we consume more calories on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year? Tradition has conditioned us to feast with family and friends on this day to honor the bountiful harvest of the country's first settlers. Today, that bountiful harvest comes from the grocery store and brings with it the stress of planning, shopping, and cooking during the holidays, often doing it all alone. Entertaining family and friends comes with its own set of pressures. It is no wonder that we overeat during the holidays! The following tips will help you stay on track during this food-filled season. whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve.

    two bowls of harvest salad overhead

    Six Tips for Healthy Holidays

    Eat Normally Before Your Feast

    Starving yourself before a party or big meal will not only increase your appetite but also adversely affect your mood. Pace yourself throughout the day by starting it with a healthy breakfast followed by a light lunch.

    Develop an Eating Plan

    With abundance comes temptation, so create a plan to eat healthy before the holidays begin. Make food a part of the festivities, but not the sole purpose for them. Eat the food you love but don’t gorge yourself on them. Make your first helping last by eating slowly. Wait 10 minutes before going back for seconds, as it takes time for your brain to realize that your stomach is full.

    butternut squash steaks

    Drink Plenty of Water

    Drinking water before and during a holiday meal will help fight hunger pangs, suppress your appetite, keep you hydrated, and boost your energy level. Consuming too much alcohol not only adds calories but also lowers your awareness of how much you are eating. 

    Focus on the Occasion

    Savor not only the meal but also the ambiance of the day. Feed all of your senses, not just that of taste, with the glorious sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season. Enjoy the company of your family and friends. Spend time chatting with everyone, as talking is a wonderful way to avoid overeating. 

    Keep Active

    Maintain balance during the holidays by exercising. You can control your weight, reduce stress, and keep your body toned with a healthy workout. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, just move more during the day. Every extra step counts!

    Show Gratitude

    Research on the nature of gratitude has shown that expressing gratitude can help both emotional well-being and physical health.

    Thanksgiving table with squash, cranberry sauce, green beans, squash, and gravy

    Some of My Favorite Healthy Holiday Recipes Include:

    • Maple Miso Glazed Squash
    • Creamed Kale
    • Thanksgiving Rice from Back to the Cutting Board by Christina Pirello
    • Super Easy Cranberry Sauce
    • Butternut Squash Steaks
    • Mushroom Gravy
    • Lentil Loaf
    • Harvest Salad

    What are you doing to stay healthy throughout the holiday season?

    stuffed portobellos with dish of stuffing, green beans, and squash
    « Vegan Green Bean Casserole
    Vegan Spinach Mushroom Stuffing »

    About Dianne

    Dianne Wenz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, and Plant-Based Chef, as well as the author of Truly Healthy Vegan Cookbook.

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    Hi! I'm Dianne Wenz, a Board-Certified Health Vegan Health and Lifestyle Coach. I empower my clients to build new habits so they can reach their healthy living goals. I love to show others how easy it is to live a vegan lifestyle as well as how to cook deliciously easy plant-based meals. Contact me today to learn more and to schedule a complimentary breakthrough session!

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