Did you know a recent survey showed that 51% of Americanshave gone off their diet toindulge in holiday food?

The good news is, eating healthy during the holidays doesn’t mean you have to stick to a strict diet. In fact, you can make small changes each day that you’ll be more likely to stick with long-term.

This guide will teach you howto form healthy eating habits during the holidays.

Make a Plan in Advance

Even though you can’t control what other people serve at a holiday event, you can put a healthy holiday eating plan in place.

First, be sure not to skip meals during the day. Many people are tempted to eat less during the day to “save up” for a large dinner. When you do this, you arrive at the meal extremely hungry and end up eating more.

So, start the day off with a healthy breakfast. Be sure to include protein like eggs and plenty of fruits. You’ll also want to eat healthy meals throughout the day and have a snack before your big dinner.

Use Healthy Alternatives

Another significant step towards healthy living is lightening up your recipes with healthy alternatives such as:

  • Replace butter or margarine with applesauce
  • Use yogurt instead of mayonnaise
  • Bake your turkey instead of frying
  • Use healthy oils, like olive oil or coconut oil instead of animal-based fats
  • Use fresh vegetables instead of canned vegetables.

Fill Your Plate With Vegetables and Lean Meats First

First, fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, salads, and lean meats. If there are side dishes high in sugar and calories, only take a small portion.

Doing this allows you to fill up on healthier foods, and you’ll be less likely to return for seconds. You’ll also eat lessunhealthy foods like casseroles.

Using a smaller plate is also a good idea becauseit helps with portion control.

Eat More Mindfully

Holiday meals are decadent and delicious, and it’s all too easy to eat quickly. Instead, make a point toeat slowly.

Take a mindful approach and savor each bite of food. It’s also good to put down your forkbetween bites and chew your food thoroughly.

When you eat slowly, you allow your stomach enough time to send the brain a hormone signal thatit’s full.

See Your Doctor forWeight Management

It’s also a good idea to see your doctor before the holidays. If you don’t have a regular family physician, take this time to find a clinic that offers a range of medical services.

A doctor can work with you to determine if you’re at a healthy weight and devise a diet and exercise plan. Remember, making small lifestyle changes can significantly impact your weight.

It will also give you more drive to make your holidays healthy holidays.

Eating Healthy During the Holidays

Eating healthy during the holidays isn’t always easy, but as long as you have a plan in place, you’ll be able to make better choices during meals.

If you’re looking for a family doctor to help you manage weight and improve your overall health, you can turn to Trailhead Clinics.

We offer membership-based healthcare for a low monthly fee. You’ll have access to various services such as annual exams, routine office visits,laboratory work, and imaging tests.

We look forward to helping you, so make sure you contact us todayto schedule an appointment!