7-Tips to a Healthy Holiday.
It’s that time of the year again, and you may be wondering if its possible to enjoy Holiday parties & treats without derailing your health. Good news…. the answer is YES!
The holidays come in hot every year with peppermint-flavored everything, party invites, and dessert tables galore. It’s magical… and also a setup for feeling sluggish, bloated, exhausted, and a tiny bit resentful by New Year’s. Starting over isn’t fun, so let’s get through this Holiday with a few tips to keep you on track.
OH….And we’re not doing the “be good,” “control yourself,” or “just say no” approach.
That’s not my style.
Get your pen and notepad, these tips work!
TIP #1: Use the “Worth-It Index”
Not every holiday treat deserves prime real estate in your stomach. Some are amazing and absolutely worth it. Others are… fine.
Before grabbing something, pause for two seconds and ask:
“Is this worth it?”
If the answer is:
“OMG yes”, then enjoy every bite.
“Meh”, skip it.
“I’m only eating this because it’s here”, walk away like the boss you are.
Zero guilt. Make intentional choices.
TIP #2: Stay Connected to Your Body
Here’s the sneaky thing about the holidays: We often disconnect from our bodies while we’re eating.
Try this:
Eat slowly, and check in with yourself halfway through the plate.
Ask, “Am I satisfied?”
Ask, “Do I want more for taste… or because it’s in front of me?”
If you want more, great. If not, stop.
Pro-tip: enjoy a warm tea when you get a craving. The warmth will keep you satisfied and sipping replaces mindless eating.
You stay in the moment with yourself, not lost in autopilot munching.
TIP #3: Anchor Yourself with One “Non-Negotiable”
Most health advice requires you to “stick to a whole routine,” but that’s unrealistic when you’re traveling, hosting, or your schedule changes.
Instead, choose one anchor (or more) daily and be consistent throughout the Holidays.
Examples:
A daily walk
Lemon water before coffee
No doomscrolling before bed
Stretching
A 10-minute workout
A cup of herbal tea before bed
Sticking to a simple “non-negotiable” will help you feel accomplished and balanced through the Holidays.
TIP # 4: Socialize Away From the Food
This is sneaky but genius.
Most overeating at parties happens because:
The food is right there
You’re talking and not noticing
Refills keep happening magically
Try this:
Grab what you want, then move the conversation to a couch, a corner, or literally anywhere NOT within arm’s reach of the cheese board.
Suddenly you’re socializing instead of grazing.
TIP #5: Pre-plan the “After-Party Reset” Before You Go
Not a punishment. Not a detox.
Just a gentle routine so you wake up the next day feeling more like yourself.
This could be:
Sticking to your anchor activity
Planning your high protein breakfast
Keep healthy options in the house. If all you have is leftover party snacks…you might end up eating cookies for breakfast.
A warm epsom salt bath
An early bedtime the night before or the night after
Hydration, hydration, hydration!
When you know how you’re going to reset, you can enjoy the moment and take care of yourself later.
TIP #6: Focus on Joy-Per-Minute, Not Food-Per-Minute
Holiday joy comes from:
The people
The memories
The conversations
The traditions
The sparkly lights
The music
The unhinged family stories
Food is great… but it’s only one part of the experience.
When you intentionally dial up the joy in non-food ways, food naturally becomes less of the main event.
Think: bowling with the family, walks after meals, charades and other games, pickleball with friends, corn hole with neighbors…
TIP #7: Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy the Season
Because seriously…Your body can handle a reasonable celebration.
What it can’t handle is weeks of overeating, stress, guilt, exhaustion, and skipping your own needs.
You don’t have to choose between feeling good and having fun. With a few intentional shifts - you can enjoy the holidays and stay well.
THIS… is real health. 💚