5 Easy Holiday Mindful Eating Tips

The Holidays are just around the corner, which means lots of food, drinks, treats, and fun!  Do you often over indulge during the Holiday Season and wake up the next day feeling bloated, sluggish, and run-down?  Try out these tips to help you have a Holiday Season where you CAN button your pants the next day and feel more energized! It is possible to indulge and feel healthy at the same time!

Tip #1 - Cocktails anyone?

Make yourself a nice cocktail, pour a glass of wine, or crack open a beer.  Want to feel better the next day? Then, HYDRATE!  Drink 8 ounces of water in between each cocktail. As Nike says, “JUST DO IT!”  You may not “feel like it,” but think about how you want to feel the next day.

Tip #2 - Appetizers anyone?

Instead of going from dish to dish and picking at each thing, make yourself a small plate of the appetizers that are really calling your name.  Slow down, sit, eat it mindfully, and enjoy!

Tip #3 - Dinner anyone?

Fill your plate with ½ veggies and/or fruit, ¼ protein, and ¼ of WHATEVER you want!  Eat to 75% fullness vs. 100% fullness-- when you are so full you have to unzip your pants!

Instead of saying, “No, I can’t eat that mac n’ cheese, its not healthy,”   instead say, “I am going to allow myself to indulge is some of the things that I like, while also giving my body other nourishing nutritious foods at the same time.”

Tip #4 - Desert anyone?

Hey, it’s the Holidays, you deserve it…ENJOY!

Tip #5 - Goals anyone?

According to many studies, we are 42% more likely to follow through on our goals if we WRITE THEM DOWN.  So before you sit down to that holiday meal, write your goal down in detail. For example:

Detailed goal: During the Holiday dinner I am going to fill my plate with ½ veggies, ¼ protein, and ¼ WHATEVER I want.

Vague goal: Eat well at the Holiday dinner.

See the difference of vague versus detailed? It’s easier to follow when you know the plan, in detail!

Lastly, put your written goal it in a place where you will see it, like your fridge, next to your bed, your bathroom mirror, or as wallpaper on your phone.

I hope you found one of these tips helpful.  Have a happy and healthy Holiday Season everyone!