Believe it or not, another year has nearly come and gone. It seems time flies by faster and faster. If the holidays have you feeling frazzled, you aren’t alone!
This year, embrace the busy holiday season with confidence. At Firstline Nutrition, we’re here to support your health journey throughout the year, but we recognize that it can be challenging to stay on track sometimes. By prioritizing your health with manageable goals, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the festivities without feeling like you’ve neglected your health.
Strike a balance between partaking in a season of joy and celebration—and indulgent eating!—and maintaining your diet. In this article, we’re sharing some valuable tips to help you avoid overeating and reminding you why your health matters, both now and in the new year.
And stay tuned for our next article! In January, we’ll follow up with tricks to make and keep achievable new year resolutions, so even if you waver from your plan over the holidays, we’ll help you get back to healthy in 2024.
The Importance of Health During the Holidays
Before we dive into our list of tips, it can be helpful to understand why prioritizing your health during the holidays is critical. Overall health isn’t just about what you do today, but a lifelong journey that’s an accumulation of days, months, and years of valuing good health. The choices you make during the holidays can help to set a positive tone for the rest of the year.
Overindulging can leave you feeling sluggish. Not only do you need to stay the course so that you’ll have the energy to fully enjoy the festivities, but fuelling your body with healthy foods is essential to maintaining your fitness regime.
Prioritizing health during the holiday season can also keep you from getting sick. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is largely behind us, it and many other viruses are continuing to circulate widely. The winter holidays coincide with the flu and cold season, so be sure to boost your immune system with supplements like vitamin C and zinc to keep you and your family members healthy.
While it’s fun to let go and celebrate over the holidays, continuing to prioritize your health doesn’t need to be a downer—and in fact, it’s actually your best chance of fully enjoying everything the season has to offer while feeling healthy and strong.
Enjoy Without Overdoing It
Denying yourself over the holidays can set you up for failure. It’s hard to have an all-or-none attitude when it comes to a healthy diet. Instead, find ways to partake reasonably in the many treats this season has to offer, while staying mindful of your long-term health goals. Here’s how you can keep your diet on track these holidays, and glide right into the new year feeling confident and healthy.
Be Mindful: It’s especially important to pay attention to your body’s hunger cues when food and treats are readily available, as they are over the holidays. Take time to tune into what your body is telling you. When you do feel hungry, enjoy your food slowly by savouring each bite. As soon as your hunger is satisfied, stop eating so you don’t overstuff yourself. You can always wrap up leftovers to enjoy at a later time.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and other unsweetened beverages throughout the day keeps your body hydrated. Because we often mistake thirst for hunger, staying well hydrated will avoid overeating when all your body really needs is a glass of water.
Control Portions: Often, holiday gatherings involve large buffet-style meals with overladen platters. This can make it challenging to keep track of how much you’re consuming. Instead of grazing, use a small plate and load it with vegetables and other healthy options, rounding it out with a few treats. Once you’ve finished your plate, avoid returning to the buffet.
Stick to Your Meal Plan: Skipping out on a meal doesn’t save you space for holiday treats—it sets you up for failure. You’re more likely to arrive at an event hungry, which will cause you to make less healthy choices and overeat. Instead, maintain a regular schedule for healthy, balanced meals that include plenty of fibre, protein, and healthy fats to keep you feeling satiated.
Plan Ahead: If you’re attending a gathering that prevents you from sticking to your meal plan, at least plan ahead so that you can fill up with a healthy snack beforehand. Eating a simple pairing of veggies and hummus or apple slices with a handful of nuts can actually help you resist overeating when you’re surrounded by tempting treats.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: Not only do alcoholic beverages contribute to excess calorie intake, but they also lower our inhibitions when it comes to mindful eating. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation and be sure to balance it with water and non-alcoholic alternatives.
Support Your Journey With Supplements
In addition to the tips we’ve mentioned, supplements can also play a vital role in maintaining your health during the holidays and beyond. At Firstline Nutrition, we offer a range of high-quality products to support your wellbeing.
Consider adding an immune booster, particularly when you’re gathering with groups of people and want to stay well to enjoy the holidays. Vitamin C and zinc supplements can help to fortify your immune system so you’ll be more resilient during the cold season. Vitamin D, is also an excellent support to your immune system as well as offering several other benefits. You can read our recent article on this ‘sunshine vitamin’ here.
Pay attention to gut health, as well. Supporting your digestion is especially helpful when overindulging in holiday foods that you don’t typically consume. Probiotics can aid digestion and ensure that you make the most of your holiday meals without feeling bloated. Find the right supplement with the help of our expert staff in store.
If you’re seeking to boost your energy or recover post-workout, don’t miss our selection of energy-enhancing and protein supplements. We carry a wide range of quality protein powders and other options to keep you energized both in and out of the gym.
Keep the Happy in the Holidays
There’s no need to deny yourself over the holidays! If you’re looking to stay on track while still enjoying all of the festivities, drop by Firstline Nutrition for supplements and advice to keep you feeling your best. By staying mindful and making considered choices, you’ll be able to participate in everything the holiday season has to offer without the repercussions of overdoing it.
Taking care of your health is the best gift you can give yourself. Start this holiday season with a commitment to a healthier you! We wish you a very happy, healthy holiday, and look forward to continuing to support you in the new year!
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