Tips for balancing party food with healthy goals.
December is a season of celebration, connection and reflection. It tends to fill up with holiday events and parties, which of course involve food. A lot of the holiday fare is loaded with fat, sugar, salt and calories — delicious, yes, but not good for health, especially if you’re eating a lot of it in a few short weeks.
As the year ends, give yourself the gift of taking care of your body with the same kindness you show others.
Nourishing yourself well, especially during the holidays, is not about restriction. It’s about feeling energized, balanced, and ready to finish the year strong.
Five ways to navigate holiday eating with confidence
- Don’t skip meals. Arriving to a party hungry makes it harder to make balanced choices. Eat protein-filled snacks such as Greek yogurt, meat jerky, low fat cheese or a small handful of nuts before you get to the event, to take the edge off your hunger before you’re confronted with less healthy party food.
- Bring a dish. Offer to bring something nutritious so you know there’s at least one option that fits your goals.
- Eat mindfully. Slow down and savor each bite. Your body needs time to feel full. Eating in a rush tends to lead to eating more than you need before you realize you’re full.
- Make smart swaps. Choose white meat over dark, skip the chicken skin, and load up on vegetables. Eat more fruit than cookies. Choose a food item without cheese or sauce rather than one that’s “smothered.”
- Enjoy dessert. Yes, really! Sharing or choosing a small portion helps you enjoy without overdoing it.
Remember: You don’t need to be perfect, just intentional. One healthy choice at a time adds up.
These tips are provided by Health Plus, which serves Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees. Health Plus promotes awareness of personal health, motivates positive health actions, provides targeted skill-building interventions and offers opportunities to put those skills into action.
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