Holiday parties – oh the joy, the cheese, the magical cocktails and sweets. The holidays are synonymous with comforting and delicious foods and maybe a couple of too many glasses of your preferred libation. While it’s perfectly fine and normal to add a few pounds on during the cold winter months, as your body tries to help you stay warm, it’s easy to get lost in the mix of eggnog and rum. It’s not easy staying on the health wagon, especially during the holidays. So what can we do? How can we enjoy the holidays and feel really really good about ourselves without offending our loved ones? How do we find a balance between enjoying ourselves, staying healthy, and not becoming an outsider by restricting ourselves too much?
Here are some simple tips on how to avoid the holiday bulge:
Gobble down some chia water before a big dinner or buffet
Chia water is just that; water with chia seeds. Add about 1-2 tablespoons into a glass of water and gulp it down half an hour before the big meal. The gelatinous properties of chia seeds will form a gel in your stomach that will help you feel full, therefore making you eat less. It also offers fibre, so you won’t get plugged up after eating too much refined grains and all that cheesy stuff:)
Fake it
I’m all for having a nice glass of organic bio-dynamic red or white wine. If you’re going for it, go for the really good stuff and savor it. There are times, however, when I just don’t feel like it. So I fake it. People ask less questions if they think you’re drinking too. I have a glass of sparkling water with two table spoons of red wine vinegar and a dash of stevia and lemon or lime. (Recipe below). Not only does this look pretty in a wine glass, this magical libation actually helps you lose weight and stay looking as beautiful as you are! Red wine vinegar is high in anti-aging resveratrol and acetic acid. Acetic acid helps to maintain steady blood glucose and insulin levels by slowing down the rate of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, meaning less fat will be stored by your body. I also like to fake it with a really fine glass of kombucha every once in a while.
Trick your brain: Make it smaller and eat mindfully
Taking smaller bites and chewing longer will actually trick your brain into thinking that you are more full. Use a smaller plate and avoid over loading it. Don’t worry, nobody is keeping track of how many times you have visited the buffet table. Eating mindfully just means that you are actually paying attention to everything you’re putting into your mouth. It also allows you to savor your food, enjoy every morsel and improves your digestion.
Fill up on the good stuff
By good stuff I mean the nutrient dense goods: veggies (skip the ranch and blue cheese dip!), fruits, green salads, bean dips, etc. These are not only less in calories, but higher in fibre, making you feel full. Steer clear of the glowing orange cheese (filled with food colouring known to cause hyperactivity), potato chips and sour cream dips, and processed meats, if you want to avoid skipping to the loo..
Take the initiative, make it healthier
If you’re the host, take the initiative and do yourself, as well as your loved ones a favour and make food healthier. Gone are the days where people will snob you for it. It can actually be a conversation starter ~ and it’s more creative. Sure we love all the holiday classics. You don’t have to make tofurkey (is that what it’s called??) You can just make a few healthy substitutions – like gluten free fudgy brownies, make your own cranberry sauce, and use healthy oils like organic grass fed butter, coconut oil and olive oil.
Indulge
Yes, indulge. (within reason of course:)) When you have a craving for something that is ‘oh so good’ then go for it! Don’t feel guilt, just really really enjoy it. Make it real, and make it really delicious. I’m a foodie and enjoy the art and beauty of food. I have also found a way to balance it out with eating truly healthy organic goods the majority of time, which leaves me room to be able to enjoy a delicious almond chocolate croissant when I feel like it. Without the guilt. Constantly restricting yourself will only backfire and you’ll end up doing some serious damage, emotionally and physically.
Cheers and merry Christmas, happy Hanuka and joyous holidays friends!
Citrus Sparkle Mocktail
This is a fun little sparkler when you’re in the mood for one. Made with lemon and red wine vinegar, which both stimulate the digestive system and help to keep the unwanted pounds off!
- 1 slice orange + 2 Tbsp orange juice
- 2 slices lemon
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 8 oz sparkling water
- 4-5 drops stevia
- Ice to serve
How to make:
In a pretty glass, add ice cubes, stevia, sliced fruit, and red wine vinegar. Top with sparkling water and enjoy 30 minutes before or after a meal.
Makes 1 serving
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