Have you ever wondered about the best way to stay on track during the holiday season? Here are our top five tricks to stay slim and trim this holiday season.
1. Make your plate as colorful as possible
By filling your plate with half fruits and veggies (aka color) you’ll be well nourished from the fiber, vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytochemicals, which will prevent illness, keep digestion on track and your energy up. This is one of the easiest ways to watch your portions.
2. Eat the rainbow first
You don’t have to deny yourself a homemade roll or a slice of pie here and there…just make sure vegetables are the main part of your meal AND eat them first. That way, you will fill up on healthy, nutritious, and low-calorie foods before you splurge. This will ensure there’s less room for the treats.
3. Just add water
Soda water that is. It’s hard to avoid the holidays without partaking in a celebratory libation here and there. Many specialty drinks weigh in at 500-600 calories a pop! Whenever possible skip the sugary mixers and opt for soda water with a couple wedges of alkalizing lemon or lime. Always have a glass of water per cocktail and try to limit yourself to 2 cocktails drinks, only after a meal or snack containing some healthy fat and protein. Never drink on an empty stomach. It starts a nasty carb craving cycle and you’ll likely end up munching.
4. Start each day with breakfast
When we skip breakfast, the body increases production of stress hormones and starts to break down muscle (not fat – muscle!) to use for energy. It’s a very stressful situation for the body and wreaks havoc on blood sugar balance for the rest of the day. Breakfast should be consumed within 60 minutes of waking and it should be balanced including protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
5. Make your movement festive
The holidays are supposed to be fun, so get out of the gym and melt some stress (and fat) with friends or family by skating, playing a game of touch football, take a hike with your bestie or consider a 5k for charity. Did you know ice skating burns 420 calories per hour? Who said you have to be inside a gym to make your workout count?
This is a shot I took of ice skaters and the gorgeous backdrop in Central Park, New York City.
Like this post? Be sure and Pin it on your holiday board!
Melissa Schollaert is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor and founder of Real Nutritious Living. Helping others achieve their health goals to attain their healthiest, happiest life is her greatest ambition.
PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. However, I only recommend products or services I have personally used myself and trust. MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, or as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your advising physician before starting any treatment for a medical condition. Real Nutritious Living, LLC shall not be held liable or responsible for any misunderstanding or misuse of the information contained on this site or for any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by any treatment, action, or application of any food or food source discussed in this site.
It sounds like you believe that eating breakfast daily should be a rule, and not an option. How can you disregard the solid evidence(and I mean, many significant studies) of the health benefits of Intermittent Fasting?
You bring up a great and interesting point David. I agree there are many studies showing benefits of intermittent fasting. I am not a fan of fasting because I’ve found in my clients it creates rebound overeating, preoccupation with food and poor sleep. I’ve also seen may studies showing that skipping any meal, particularly breakfast leads to overall fatigue and potential overeating by the days end. These techniques are what have healed and I’ve found success with in my practice. I agree it’s not for everyone and we’re bio-individual.
Melissa, This is just so true, I can’t agree more. I love eating the rainbow first and water tips. I have been to it and having veggies as a major portion and keeping yourself hydrated can really do wonder. I completely agree. Thanks for sharing all these points on one place because I am again looking for some inspiration to lose a few pounds and I think I have got that inspiration. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Thank you so much Dora! I appreciate the kind words.