It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time to enjoy some of your favorite holiday foods. Pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, gravy; the list goes on and on.
It can be easy to forget to be mindful of your eating habits during this time of the year. Here are some tips on how you can practice healthy eating habits at your next holiday get-together.
Eating Unhealthy Can Impact Your Holiday Mood
Nobody wants to be a scrooge, especially during the holiday season. If you’re feeling a bit sluggish after eating your holiday dinner, chances are you might’ve eaten too much. We start to feel tired after eating because our body is working to digest and absorb the food’s nutrients.
Eating too much sugar can also impact your mood, making you feel anxious or easily irritated.
We all know that prolonged unhealthy eating can impact your health. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar, salt, and fat can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases. These chronic diseases include heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, which often lead to other health conditions.
While it’s okay to have a “cheat meal” or two, these feelings can catch up. This can cause you to not feel your best even after a short period of time.
How Do You Eat a Balanced Diet During the Holidays?
Get More Fruits & Veggies
Load up on fruits and vegetables when making your plate. You may find that you get more food for fewer calories when switching to healthy choices. This will help you feel fuller and can give your body more nutrients.
Make staying healthy easy by visiting your local 3Natives for a snack loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Choose Homemade over Store-Bought
Research shows that homemade foods are better for you than processed, store-bought meals. This is because your favorite holiday recipes often add more nutritional value to your diet than store-bought foods do.
Meals from the shelf are usually more convenient to serve during the holiday season. However, they may include more ingredients and additives that may alter the nutritional value of the product. These extra ingredients are typically added to help the product have a longer shelf-life. However, they can have more saturated fats and sugars.
Eat Before You Leave
Don’t go to the party hungry. It may lead to you eating too much at once which can lead to discomfort. Try eating a small snack before you go to your family dinner. That can help you not feel as hungry when it’s time to take your seat at the dinner table.
Healthy Habits To Holiday-Proof Your Diet
Try Mindful Eating
Mindful eating isn’t just a fad. Studies have shown that it helps your body feel full and allows you to enjoy your meal. You can practice mindful eating by eating slowly and becoming more aware of what you’re putting into your body.
Mindful eating practices are also great to use during the holiday season, as they can help you control your food cravings. This is because eating slowly gives your body the time to fully experience and enjoy each of the dishes you’re eating.
Drink Enough Water
Drinking enough water is important every day, but especially during the holiday season. This is because your brain may mistake being thirsty for being hungry. This can cause you to eat even though you’re not hungry.
Make sure you’re drinking the recommended amount of water, which can range between 11.5 cups to 15.5 cups a day.
Get a Plate Instead of Grazing the Buffet
A plate can help you be more mindful of how much you are talking and eating. Choosing a smaller plate may also help you limit your holiday eating.
If you’re someone who likes to talk and enjoy treats from the holiday buffet, try chewing a piece of gum. This can help you resist the urge to grab something every time you walk by.
Get Exercise
Go for a walk after eating your holiday dinner! Physical activity increases your body’s blood flow and can improve your digestive system’s circulation. This may help your body digest your holiday meal faster and give you the power to push through your “food coma.”
Enjoy a Healthy Meal at Your Local 3Natives
Get your next healthy meal at 3Natives! Our food is all-natural all the time and made with local ingredients.
Each location offers made-to-order acai bowls, wraps, breakfast options, salads, smoothies, juices, and juice shots! Our menu items are loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, helping you get the nutrients your body needs this holiday season.
Want to grab breakfast before heading to your holiday lunch? Try one of our breakfast sandwiches or wraps. Need a quick pick-me-up while finishing your holiday shopping? Visit 3Natives to order one of our signature smoothies!
Do you need a dish for your holiday party? Try ordering catering from 3Natives for healthy choices that are sure to please your guests. We can provide your holiday party with fresh wraps, salads, and acai bowls.
