We’re coming out of Thanksgiving and maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed with the holidays kicking off, it’s okay I get in that boat too. Instead of letting the stress of the holidays pile up, focus on what you can do to decrease your stressors so that you can enjoy your holiday time. 

As a dietitian, I see that food often becomes a huge stressor at this time of year to be followed up by a weight loss plan in January. Here’s the thing, while the holidays can be filled with more desserts than usual, you can still find balance so you can stop the cycle of weight loss New Year’s Resolutions. 

Here are my top 3 tips for the Holidays:

1. Treat it like any other day. Have a big dinner coming? Great, still get in a high protein breakfast and lunch. When you include your regular meals, instead of skipping then you can enjoy that family meal without overdoing it because you’re not going into it starving. 
2. Movement. Get movement in where you can! This doesn’t mean skipping family time for an hour gym session but this could look like playing in the snow with your kids. Get that blood flow going and it can even help with digestion. 
3. Think smarter, not harder. The holidays are daunting with all of our favorite foods. Good new is that you don’t have to eat everything at once. Decide how to strategically include your favorites without feeling like you need 4 pieces of pie. And know that even though you may not have the “best” options, just decide what is best for the situation. Choosing to drink Volley for example gives us a much cleaner way to enjoy an adult beverage! 

At the end of the day, remember to have fun and embrace the joy around you!

Happy Holidays,

Baylee (@nucrewnutrition)