December brings with it an air of festivities, where one can expect merry gatherings with family and friends, happy celebrations and, of course, lots of feasting. During this time, you might be tempted to forgo your usual dietary concerns and requirements. However, this is not necessary. It is possible to enjoy a yummy holiday feast that does not compromise your health goals.  

Let’s explore some key tips on how you can partake in the festive feasting.

Practise Moderation
You may not have control on the food you’re served, but this doesn’t mean that you have to stay away completely from the holiday treats. Why not focus on quality instead of quantity? You could savour smaller portions of your favourite dishes. Or if you’re invited to a party, offer to bring a healthy dish along.

Embrace the Rainbow

Be purposeful when it comes to your vegetable intake. You can choose to consume as many colourful vegetables as possible to ensure that you are getting a diverse range of essential vitamins and minerals. Some flavourful options could include red cabbage coleslaw, cranberry salad, sweet potato mash and roasted broccolini.

Powerful Protein Potentials

Look for lean protein sources as the anchor for your holiday meal, so you get all the goodness without additional saturated fats. Some great choices are turkey, fish and chicken. You can also opt for nutritious cooking methods. Grilling or baking can be a healthier way to amp up the flavour without having to depend too much on heavy sauces and gravies.

‘Whole’-some Goodness

Enhance the nutritional value of your spread by swapping refined grains with whole grains. Think whole grain buns, brown rice sides or quinoa stuffing. These can help you feel more satiated as well as adding valuable nutrients to your meal.

Healthy Desserts

Desserts don’t necessarily have to be sinful if you don’t fall prey to an excess of sugar and calories. Try turning to healthier dessert options, such as fresh fruit salads or yoghurt parfaits to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Mindful Eating Habits

It’s not just about what you eat. HOW you eat can play a role too. Enjoy the feast but do not overindulge. Make sure that you pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues, and be conscious of your food choices. Enjoy the feast but do not overindulge.

Another tip: Avoid skipping meals to make room for the actual feast. This will only make it harder for you to manage your blood sugars, causing you to be really hungry and have a higher tendency to overeat later.

Goodness of Water
Ensure you’re well-hydrated. It can be easy to forget your daily water intake during this busy time. Sipping water between bites can aid your digestion while curbing your appetite. Want to level up your hydration game? You can look into adding berries, mint or citrus slices for a more refreshing drink AND better visual appeal!

Get Moving
Do not skimp on physical activities, but do make them more festive by incorporating them into your holiday celebration. If you prefer keeping things simple, a pre-meal walk around the neighbourhood can be a fun tradition. Feeling more boisterous? Why not have a post-feast dance party or a family sports tournament?

Ensure You Get Enough Sleep

There’s a tendency to make more plans during the holidays. However, going out more and staying out later often means that your sleep gets sacrificed. Inadequate sleep can make it harder to manage your blood sugar. In fact, you tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar food. To avoid this, aim to get around eight hours of sleep per night.

Meet Nutritional Requirements

You can also optimise your nutritional intake during this time by taking the right supplements for your needs. If you’re concerned that you may not be getting all your required nutrients, you can attempt to fill any gaps with Exânutrix personalised supplements, which are specially formulated based on your health requirements and goals.

Make indulgence a positive thing this holiday season by enjoying a healthy yet delicious spread.  But remember what the season truly is about — celebrating and connecting with your loved ones. Focus more on the fun instead of the food, and embrace the season’s merriment while safeguarding your wellbeing.