10 Tips to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

Bring your own food. Make something delicious and healthy to the holiday dinners you’ll be attending. If you contribute a healthy dish into the feast, then you know you’ll always have a smarter option to fill up on than those buttery mashed potatoes or creamy pumpkin pie.

Start with salad. While it’s fine to have a nibble of all the decadent stuff, be sure to fill up first on greens so you don’t overeat the wrong thing. Salad doesn’t have to be boring either, look up fun recipes for some inspiring holiday salads.

Stick with soups that are broth-based instead of creamy. They will be just as delicious but probably half the calories and fat.

Eat slowly and enjoy the food you’re eating instead of thinking of what to devour next. Eating slow will give your body time to digest so you’ll know when you’re actually full.

Don’t go hungry to holiday shopping. If you’re starving after hours of fighting through bustling crowds, it’s more than likely that you’ll end up with a Cinnabon or something of the sorts. If you’re not super desperate to eat the first thing you see, you’ll be less exhausted and make smarter food decisions.

Keep a food diary. During the holidays it’s easy to lose track of what you’re eating, especially when there’s always food laying around. Avoid straying from your regular eating schedule, too. You wouldn’t normally eat four meals and three snacks, right?

Bring healthy snacks to class or work. The holidays are prime time for people to test their baking skills and bring them in to share. Stay away from those sugary cookies and cakes by eating your own food.

Take smaller portions. It’s so easy to see tables of delicious food and want to take platefuls of everything. Try to spoon out a smaller serving than you think you want, and go back for seconds only if you really are still hungry.

Sit next to a conscious eater at the dinner table. Studies show that it’s likely you’ll eat similarly to the person next to you. If they’re gobbling up those veggies, you’ll probably feel pressure to also.

Keep up the exercise. Everyone’s excuse is that they’re taking a breather for holiday season, but that doesn’t have to be you. Sticking with your normal workout routine will help to keep that healthy mindset going and to not totally stop exercising during the holidays.