It’s Thanksgiving time! For many people, this is the official kick-off to holiday season — and a month of “seasons eatings” in the name of celebrations through the rest of the year. However, holiday celebrations don’t have to derail healthy-eaters from their nutrition goals. Koibito Poke believes that healthy eating should be a delicious part of each day, not about a diet or deprivation. With that in mind, here are four easy tips for eating healthy through the holidays.
Plan Ahead
It makes no sense to “starve” one’s self all day to “save up” calories for a big feast such as Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. However, when preparing for a big meal during a holiday celebration, consider keeping the rest of the meals of that day light. Start out with an egg white omelet packed with veggies or have a Koibito Poke bowl for lunch with greens instead of rice for a base, for example. It’s also a good idea to eat a little something (such as an apple and some almonds or a banana and peanut butter) before heading to a small party that’s serving food — arriving hungry to an event may result in unintentional overeating.
Bring Something to Share
Those that are sticking to special dietary guidelines this holiday season don’t have to put themselves at the mercy of what is being served at a holiday gathering. Simply ask to help! Hosts will likely appreciate the offer to contribute an appetizer or a side dish, and this gives the guest an opportunity to have at least something at the table that is health-conscious.
Allow for Indulgences
For those that eat healthfully on a regular basis, an occasional cookie or a slice of pie throughout the holiday season won’t derail a routine too much. And it’s perfect healthy to indulge here and there. A few tips: make sure the indulgence is worth it! Select a few favorite treats for the week and build them into the rest of a healthy meal plan. And don’t forget to enjoy it! Never feel guilty about a “treat.” Remember “everything in moderation” is key. So truly enjoy a favorite cookie or holiday sweet, then move on.
Get Back on Track
Speaking of moving on… Keep that in mind throughout the season of holiday celebratory eating (and drinking). A few indulgences throughout the month aren’t going to set one back; the real trouble is falling back into old habits of less-than-healthy dishes at every meal or dessert every night. So balance a heavy meal day with a few lighter ones to get back on track and keep moving forward towards healthy eating goals.
Koibito Poke believes in proper nourishment, never deprivation, for a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy should be an enjoyable part of every day and people should like what they eat — during the holidays and all year round. So with a little planning, people can stick to their healthy eating goals through the holidays without missing out on celebrations.
