6 Tips for a Health Happy Holiday Season

The holiday season is packed with all kinds of fun, frolic and family, but with too much to do in too little time, along with unrealistic expectations, this magical season can wreak havoc on your health. Here are 6 strategies to help you enjoy your holidays with your health goals intact and your jingle still intact.

1. Fill up on the good stuff - If you are going to a fun, festive bash, focus on filling up on laughter, lights, music, and friends. Keep your plate small and be mindful of what you put on it. Eating a healthy meal before you leave the house can help eliminate overindulging on holiday treats. If you are heading to a dinner party, offer to bring a dish so you know there is at least one healthy option for you to eat.  Make sure you have lots of chopped veggies, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs and hummus in your frig so you have grab and go, protein, fat, and fiber-filled snacks to keep your metabolism strong and your blood sugar leveled. When you wake up with a bad attitude, try reframing to gratitude (oh I'm such a poet). Seriously, gratitude can change everything. Choose the better feeling thought and focus on the bright side. I know sometimes it's easier said than done and that's why I recommend practicing daily. Write down three things every day that you are grateful for no matter how small. I know we are only human and it’s not realistic to say NO to Aunt Martha’s homemade cookies so try this… sit down, get a plate, eat one cookie slowly and savor the flavor, thank Aunt Martha for the deliciousness and then walk away and enjoy a nice cup of hot tea.

2. Move it - Keep on moving that body. Stretch, walk, jump, skip, ride, hit the gym or the mat, whatever works for you. Exercise has been proven to stimulate your endorphins, which are the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. It also helps regulate sleep cycles, which can often be interrupted with a to-do list that is a mile long and thoughts of family gatherings dancing in your head. When your group gets together, how about adding in an activity that gets everyone outside and moving like a sunshine filled hike or an evening walk to see the festive holiday lights.

3. Modify recipes - Don’t say no to your favorite holiday dish, just do it differently. Most holiday recipes are loaded with high amounts of sugar, fat, refined carbohydrates and are lacking in fiber. Unhealthy, refined fats can be replaced with coconut oil, olive or avocado oil or ghee. If you want to cut down on fats try subbing in applesauce, mashed banana or prune puree. Sugar can be reduced and replaced with local, raw honey, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg, or flavorings such as real vanilla or almond extracts. Try using organic coconut, cashew or almond milk in recipes instead of conventional dairy. Go ahead treat yourself to real hot cocoa using unsweetened dark chocolate, nut milk and honey. I promise you will not be sacrificing taste. Real whole food is packed with flavor.

4. Beware of Sugar - Everyone seems to think the holidays are a time to load up on extra sugar. This can reek havoc on your health both in the short and long term. I recommend allowing the true flavor of the food to come through. Focus on naturally sweet foods like winter squash, sweet potatoes, and fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can even play a trick on your taste buds by using cinnamon and coconut. If you just can’t keep the craving at bay, try drinking a tall glass of water or taking a nap. Both dehydration and sleep deprivation can cause cravings to get out of control. Speaking of dehydration, if you choose to indulge in an adult beverage or two make sure to add in a glass of water between each alcoholic drink. If you want to limit or eliminate alcohol without bringing attention to the situation, try a glass of seltzer water with a lime twist. I like to add a drop of peppermint oil to mine. Oh, what a refreshing treat. If anyone asks what you are drinking just say “the special”.

5. Give yourself the gift of health - It’s the season of giving so start with YOU. Tell yourself things like “I only deserve the best fuel for my body and I deserve to be healthy and feel great”. Beating yourself up with all the “should haves” and “could have” can be extremely damaging to your body and mind. Right down your health goals and take baby steps in the right direction. It’s time to put yourself first. Don’t wait until the new year to start your healthy resolution. Start today but filling your head with positive thoughts, your plate with high quality, nutrient dense real food, and your calendar with more of what you need to feel and be your best self. Most of all, if you need help, get it. You are worth it.

6. Take Time to Reflect - Before the fresh new year comes knocking, spend time reflecting all that has happened this past year and acknowledge where you are now. Focus on all that you HAVE accomplished and learned this past year. Place your to-do list in a drawer and close it, take 3 deep breaths and honor your journey and all that is YOU.

Robyn Diamond is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1995, Robyn found her way to Health Coaching through her personal health challenges. After many years of “following doctors orders”, she took her health into her hands and turned to nutrition and lifestyle to heal her body. Robyn coaches clients in her private practice, Health Happy YOU, one-on-one, in-person, phone or skype and helps them discover what makes their unique bodies thrive with nutrition and lifestyle modifications.

Robyn lives in Hickory, NC with her husband, two kids, dog and guinea pig. When she is not playing in the kitchen with real food, you will find her on her yoga mat, laughing with her kids, or in front of her computer researching all kinds of HealthHappy topics. To find out more about Robyn, her education and approach please visit www.HealthHappyYou.com and facebook.com/HealthHappyRobyn, where she shares all kinds of HealthHappy tips.