Health
6 Ways to Stick to Your Healthy Eating Habits During Holidays
The holiday season is here again. The calendars are fully-marked with schedules of reunions and gatherings with your families and friends. It’s the time to buy presents for your loved ones. Also, this is the season where different sumptuous meals are prepared and shared.
it is important to stick with your ultimate health goal, to stay and eat healthily. How to do this when there are plenty of temptations? Try to follow these simple tips in order to stay with the healthy eating habits during the holidays.
- Keep nutritious foods on hand and ready to eat
The key to eating healthy during the holiday season is preparation. It is necessary to have nutritious foods available at home. This should include fresh fruits and vegetables that can be made into big batches of roasted salads and stored in the fridge. Other foods with lean protein, healthy fats, and smart carbohydrates should also be available for immediate grabs. Having healthy foods that are ready to eat for quick meals is super helpful to stay on track.
- Keep tempting foods that trigger you to overeat out of the house
Foods which are not good for your diet plan should be eliminated in the house to avoid temptations. This should include cereals, packaged trail and nut mixes, granola, and other packaged and processed foods. Be sure that these foods are out of sight, and eventually out of mind.
- Pick protein
Proteins are necessary to build and maintain healthy and leaner muscles. Choose protein sources that are nutrient-rich and low in calories and saturated fats. Some of these include lean meats, low-fat dairy products, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, and beans. Eat these foods in right amount based on the recommended daily nutritional requirements of your body.
- Fill up on fiber
Fiber-rich foods help promote normal bowel movement through proper digestion and elimination of materials in the body. It can lower the cholesterol level, reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and control blood sugar leading to reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. Fibers also aid in the achievement of healthy and balanced weight. Some of the fiber-rich foods that should be included in the diet plan include oats, apple, carrots, and green leafy vegetables.
- Make room for healthy fats
Fats can bring confusion as there are good and bad fats. Know the difference between the two and always choose the healthy fats. These kinds of fats are good for the heart and can offer other health-protective benefits. Some of the best sources of healthy fats include avocado, walnuts, almonds, olives, flaxseeds, salmon, tuna, dark chocolate, tofu, and a lot more.
- Ditch added sugar
Sugars in the form of cakes, cookies, and sodas are always present in holiday tables and are definitely hard to resist. However, think of the nutritional contents of these treats and how these could ruin your diet. Too much sugar is not good for the body as it can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, weaken bones, and even heart disease. Try out healthy alternatives by using natural sweeteners such as honey and Stevia. This will provide a sweet taste to foods and drinks without feeling guilty on having too much sugar in the body.
Eating healthy should always be a top priority despite the festivities and gatherings this season. It is important to stay motivated and stick to your goal despite all the temptations in front of you. You can eat and enjoy your favorite foods but only in small and measurable amounts. You can consider using a macro calculator to determine your nutritional intake and consumption. Never deprive yourself as this will tend to backfire on you. Always remember to drink a lot of water after eating in order to aid proper digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body.
Whenever you feel like giving up on temptations – sit back, breathe, and think of your goals. This will motivate you and make you stick with the healthy eating habits that you set for yourself.
