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How To Eat Clean During The Holidays

How to Eat Clean During the Holidays

The holiday season brings joy, celebrations, and cherished traditions—but it also comes with endless feasts and sweet treats. If you’re worried about holiday weight gain, you’re not alone. Many struggle to maintain a healthy diet during this time. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between enjoying the holidays and staying on track with your health goals. With the right mindset and strategies, you can eat clean, feel great, and still indulge in holiday favorites.

1. Start Eating Healthy Before the Holidays

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until after the holidays to focus on healthy eating. Instead, start making mindful choices now so you’re already in the habit when holiday parties roll around.

🔹 Why wait? Start today! Instead of postponing your goals until January, begin making small, sustainable changes now.
🔹 Meal prep for success: Plan healthy meals and snacks in advance to avoid last-minute temptations.
🔹 Get your family involved: When everyone is on board, it becomes easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

2. Focus on Health, Not “Dieting”

If you associate healthy eating with deprivation, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead of obsessing over calorie counts, focus on nutrient-dense foods that fuel your body.

How to shift your mindset:
✅ Choose foods based on their nutritional value—not just their calorie count.
✅ Fill your plate with lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables.
✅ Listen to your body! Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied.

Pro Tip: When attending a holiday party, bring a healthy dish to share. That way, you know there’s at least one nutritious option available!

3. Easy Ways to Eat Clean During the Holidays

Know What’s in Your Food

Before indulging, check ingredient lists or ask how dishes are prepared. Avoid processed foods, artificial additives, and hidden sugars whenever possible.

Balance Your Plate

Aim for a mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats at every meal. For example:
🥑 Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with avocado and spinach
🥗 Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with olive oil dressing
🍽️ Dinner: Roasted turkey with steamed Brussels sprouts

Add More Fruits & Veggies

A simple trick to stay on track? Boost your meals with nutrient-rich produce!
✔️ Add berries to your breakfast cereal
✔️ Include leafy greens in your sandwich
✔️ Swap half your fries for roasted veggies

4. Stay Active to Balance Holiday Treats

Exercise plays a huge role in maintaining energy levels, boosting metabolism, and preventing holiday weight gain.

🏋️ Ways to stay active during the holidays:
✔️ Take a family walk after meals
✔️ Choose stairs over elevators
✔️ Try home workouts or yoga sessions
✔️ Schedule workouts just like any other holiday event

Indoor Workout Ideas for Cold Weather:

🔥 Do a quick HIIT workout at home
🔥 Walk laps at the mall while shopping
🔥 Dance to your favorite holiday playlist

Holiday workout

5. Healthy Holiday Recipe Swaps

You don’t have to give up your favorite holiday foods—just make healthier versions!

🥔 Swap mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower – Same creamy texture with fewer carbs!
🧈 Cut butter in half – Use ghee, avocado oil, or Greek yogurt instead.
🥛 Use dairy alternatives – Try almond milk or coconut yogurt in recipes.
🍰 Choose natural sweeteners – Opt for honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.

Healthier Dessert Ideas:

🍏 Spiced Apples: Skip the apple pie and enjoy warm, cinnamon-baked apples.
🍫 Dark Chocolate Bark: A simple, antioxidant-rich treat with nuts and dried fruit.
🥥 Coconut Macaroons: Naturally sweet and packed with healthy fats!

cauliflower mashed potatoes

6. Be Careful With Holiday Parties

Holiday parties can be a challenge when it comes to staying on track with your health goals. It’s not just holiday dinners—you might also be invited to office parties, block parties, or gatherings with friends and family. These events often feature fried appetizers, indulgent meals, and calorie-filled cocktails. If you still want to attend while maintaining balance, here are some helpful tips:

Choose Your Cocktails Wisely

Cocktails can contribute significantly to holiday weight gain. Many are loaded with hidden calories, especially when mixed with fruit juices or syrups. Opt for drinks with more liquor and less sugar—such as mixing liquor with soda water instead of juice. This simple swap can save 50-100+ calories per drink.

Eat a Healthy Meal Before Attending

If you arrive at a party hungry, it’s much harder to resist overindulging. Eat a nutritious meal beforehand, packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. This way, you can enjoy the party without feeling deprived, and you won’t be tempted to overeat just because you’re starving.

Put Appetizers on a Small Plate

Instead of grazing mindlessly, serve yourself a small portion on a plate and stick to that amount. Avoid returning for seconds, and step away from the food table to prevent unnecessary snacking.

Mingle and Meet New People

The more you engage in conversations, the less time you’ll spend focused on food. Walk around, chat with new people, and enjoy the social aspect of the party. This also helps you stay active and move around rather than standing near the buffet.

Join Me for a 14-Day WildFit Reset!

If you’re ready to level up your nutrition and improve your relationship with food, I invite you to join me for the WILDFIT 14-Day Reset! Classes start soon—learn more here.

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