No one wants to spend the holiday season deprived of its delicious abundance. But no one wants to end up piling on the pounds either.
“Eat before the holiday party” // “Skip the eggnog” // “This 50 calorie skinny cocktail is the lightest”
Conventional diet advice means you’re missing out on the most wonderful time of the year. There is always so much chatter about ways to make your holiday dinner healthier. One dinner will not make you fat. 365 dinners will. So rather than stressing out about how you’re going to say no to Grandma Vivian’s coconut pineapple cake, spend your mental energy on the Squiggly Line Effect.
Here are a few tips that work well for me to tackle the holidays with both enthusiasm and mindfulness:
When I eat before the holiday party I end up having two dinners, which is even more calories then if I’d just eaten at the party alone! I used to have a big salad before just to ensure that I got vegetables with my dinner in the event that the party had no crudités. But that fills up valuable stomach space! I have decided that having a salad for lunch and no vegetables for dinner is perfectly healthy a few times a year (or month…). Vegetables rule but like I said above, we’re talking about very few days of the year. On days when I have a big night ahead, I try to have a smallish lunch followed by a small afternoon snack so that by the time the party or Christmas dinner arrives I’m hungry but not famished. Hunger IS the best sauce, you know!
Everyone knows eggnog is one of the most calorie dense drinks on the planet. But what would Christmas be without it? I actually find the lighter versions of nog to be just as delicious, but make sure the ingredient list is still recognizable. You don’t want to trade calories for chemicals. For Thanksgiving I actually found some grass-fed nog and it was wonderful after dinner the night after Thanksgiving – when I wasn’t so full. So with eggnog or pie or the cheese plate – enjoy a little. Just make sure you keep your portion on the small side.
Maybe a light beer is less calories than a White Russian, but if you have 5 of them because they taste like water, you’re not saving very much! {That was probably a terrible example because I doubt many of you drink 5 Buds on Christmas!} Anyways, my point is drink what you want most and what you will savor. My drink of choice – red wine divided into a few small pours. Some before dinner and some with dinner. Sometimes I try to branch out and try a new beer or cocktail, but really I just want the wine, so I end up drinking that on top of my experimental drink. Figure out what you love and stick with that – even if there is zero alcohol involved.
I don’t mean for this post to sound preachy – more power to you if you can say no to nog! The bottom line for me, and perhaps most importantly, is to focus on how I feel. And this includes keeping the threat of a hangover close to heart! Sort of like how intuitive eating will even itself out over time, if you focus on how you feel you aren’t bound to eat so many calories that you gain permanent pounds. Enjoy the evening just enough so that you sleep well that night and wake up refreshed in the morning. The older I get, the easier it is for me to know when I hit that point. Your body will tell you when the holiday is over.
Jessy says
Great tips!! 🙂
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
These are awesome tips! I stopped eating and advising dinner before I went too! However, I do try and have a high-protein snack 2-3 hours before I go so I’m not STARVING! As a rule of thumb, I avoid anything that isn’t a special holiday treat. Basically, I don’t eat oreos because they are red and green, I can get oreos any time of the year (I don’t but I could if I wanted them)! I save for the really special stuff like egg nog!
KathEats says
That is a great tip about the snacks that aren’t seasonal. I do a similar thing except with cheese….my weakness!
Kori says
I agree with this! If it’s not anything special to me, then I’m not interested in it. I’d rather leave stomach space for the foods that I truly enjoy or want to try. 🙂
[email protected] says
Great tips! I try to just focus on my favorite foods and prioritize what I really want to eat!
Pippa says
Great advice! I always go with something in my stomach so I don’t completely attack the appetisers!
Kori says
Wonderful tips and perspective! I like to be hungry too at gatherings, so I try to make sure I have a snack in enough advance so I can socialize and enjoy without needing to eat right away. Then once the snacks or food is presented, I can make sound choices. 🙂
Off from this subject, but I’ve recently seen an article now highlighting the danger of too much protein. I love nutrition, but it certainly is always evolving. It can sometimes be hard to keep up with the latest science. Is this a topic you would be interested in covering? I know you’ve spoken in the past about being cautious of protein supplements and isolates, so my assumption is whole food sources of protein are different than these man-made sources. They relate this to kidney health. Thanks, and have a great day!
KathEats says
Your assumption about real food is correct! The concern arises from people who are consuming a large amount of protein shakes, powders, bars, and/or paleo-inspired meals that are heavy on meats. It all comes down to balance, right? 😉
Kori says
As always, I so appreciate your insight! I love learning, but admittedly I tend to read too much into something rather than seeing the bigger picture. Just as you said, one indulgence doesn’t equal doom, and one piece of nutrition information has to be viewed with other variables at play. I thought it was more to do with supplements, and I haven’t read at what amount or point they could become harmful. Yes, it’s about balance; thanks!
KathEats says
My guess is it’s a fairly high amount before you get to really strain the kidneys, so it would take a unique diet, especially for someone without increased protein needs in the body (like someone who is healing or majorly bodybuilding)
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I always have trouble with self-control this time of the year. I’m going to try and let myself indulge this year, but to stop when I’m full. Fingers crossed.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Victoria Taylor says
This time of the year is challenging with all the temptations. My favorite tip and solid go-to is ALWAYS have a meal before heading to any event. This keeps me from over-eating tempting food. Thanks for the lovely post Kath.
Sam @ Hygge Wellness says
Love your tips! I try to use the “is it worth it?” rule, too. If something is homemade or truly a special (certain time of year) treat, then I’ll try it and enjoy (savor) it. If it’s just store-bought or not something that’s holiday specific, I remind myself I can have it anytime and don’t need to have it now, while I’m enjoying all these other treats.
http://hyggewellness.com/blog
Kate says
I love these sensible tips. Nothing drastic- the focus should be on the moment. I especially like what you said about not trading calories for chemicals.
Tonya says
This month is packed with birthdays and holiday parties for me. So what I’ve found myself doing is saving the alcohol for the party nights and only eating what’s already in my fridge throughout the rest of the week. There is no shortage of food / snacks this time of year so if I have to eat pbj and hummus wraps all week, (single woman here, kid is out of the house) it allows me to not worry too much come party night. Also, lots of tea to make up for those wine and cocktail nights!
KathEats says
Squiggly line in action!
Sarah says
Great tips! Except the eggnog in a shot glass; that’s just overly restrictive for me and if I follow the squiggly line effect, a glass of eggnog isn’t the end of the world!
KathEats says
You are right! Pick your favorites and enjoy them guilt free.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
I am the exact opposite in terms of thinking about holiday parties. I say have a big glass of eggnog, or three … Christmas is once a year, and unless you’re drinking eggnog each day of December, there is no harm in indulging at the one or two holiday parties that a person might attend. I never deny myself any food or drink that I want, and I find that because of that I have very few cravings, and I maintain a healthy weight. As soon as people think they can’t have a food/drink, they often want it even more. A shot glass of eggnog is just a tease, which would likely leave a person wanting more (not me though, because I think eggnog is repulsive), haha! But, I’m sure you get my point.
Anyway, I know that might not work for everyone …
Merry Christmas Kath and Mazen (and BF we haven’t met yet) 😉
KathEats says
I don’t disagree with you at all! You gotta know yourself most of all. Merry Xmas!