The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but for many, it can be not so wonderful for our health. With holiday treats coming out of every corner, from mom’s famous desserts to seasonal treats on display, there is temptation and reason to go overboard everywhere. But with a little planning and some willpower, you’ll definitely be able to stay healthy and fit into all the new clothes you shop for on Black Friday. Here are some ideas to incorporate into your Thanksgiving Day, or maybe your everyday routine, to stay healthy this holiday season.
1. Make healthy swaps where you can. No one wants to totally pass up on the yummy food, but there are many little healthy ingredient swaps that can be a big help! For example, have mashed sweet potatoes instead of regular to get some good bonus nutrients and less unnecessary carbs. There are many more examples found here.
2. Don’t let the holiday swing take you out of your normal routine. If you are a night gym person, try your best to stick with it. Same goes for any other normal activities you usually do. By having a routine, you keep your body in a rhythm, which is good for your overall health. There may be a bunch of craziness with giant cooking processes and family everywhere, but you still need “you time” to stay sane and feel like yourself.
3. Drink lots of water. You should be doing this anyway, but it is especially important with holiday meals and treats that involve a greater amount of sugar and sodium. Staying hydrated will also help keep you from overeating.
4. Eat breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. Many people skip breakfast or lunch in order to “save calories,” but the truth is that this only messes with your body’s metabolism (remember the rhythm mentioned above?) and will cause you to be hungrier than you really are and eat more than you mean to later. That old saying definitely has some merit to it; breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
5. Stay positive! Though this is the most wonderful time of the year, it sadly also has the tendency to bring out the worst in people. Between family feuds, shopping stress, and baking/cooking marathons, things can get heated quickly and stress can pile up. Try to remember what this time of year is all about. Though helping out in the kitchen isn’t your favorite chore and having family around all the time can be overwhelming, just think of what this time of year is all about and how much you’ll miss it as soon as it’s over.
I hope this helps you on your holiday endeavors! With these suggestions, you can make this season both your tastiest and healthiest for your body and mind. So Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Early Christmas, and healthfully enjoy every day that is to come!