10 Easy Tips to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

No matter how dedicated you are to healthy eating, the holidays are the hardest time of the year to stick with it. But you don’t have to give up your health just to enjoy this festive season! Here are the best ways to feel good and eat healthy during the holidays.

I used to just expect to not feel as good during November and December. I loved all the delicious food and didn’t want to miss out even though I knew it had a negative impact on my health. I always just planned to get back on track in January.

However, when we learned how much of an impact food had on my husband’s autoimmune issues and the results of my healthier diet became more obvious as well, we began to prioritize eating healthy during the holidays.

With just a little creativity and self-discipline, anyone can eat healthy over the holidays and still enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Prioritize Balanced Meals

When we’re extra busy, it’s easy to just grab something quick and keep going with our day. However, nutritious meals are key to our health.

Make sure you’re still eating your typical diet on most days. If you don’t have as much time to cook as you usually do, make a few freezer meals to pull out during especially busy times.

Bake with Quality Ingredients

There are lots of wonderful substitutes that you can confidently use in all your favorite recipes! Substitute avocado oil for vegetable or canola oil, use natural sugar alternatives or at least organic sugar, and make sure you’re primarily using high quality, minimally-processed ingredients.

Limit Daily Sugar Intake

With so many sweets around this time of year, it can be tempting to snack on them all day every day. This will definitely have a negative impact on your body! Instead, try to save all the sweets for holiday parties and specific special times (such as a Christmas movie night).

You will be so glad you did!

Stay Away From Foods You’re Sensitive To

Even though we all know if there are certain foods we’re allergic or sensitive to, sometimes we just want to cheat a little. Resist the urge to cheat on these foods and choose something else.

Even if the alternative is higher in sugar or carbs, it’s usually better than indulging in something you’re particularly sensitive to.

Close-up of roasted cashews on baking sheet

Bring Healthier Dishes to Parties

I’ve never seen a holiday get-together where there wasn’t enough junk food.

Instead of bringing more cookies, make a healthier dish. Or, if you’re someone who loves dessert, bring a healthier dessert to share. Likely, you won’t be the only one thankful for more choices!

Cook Festive Savory Dishes

Instead of putting all your effort into holiday sweets, spend some time making special savory dishes too. The options are endless for delicious and healthy holiday meals!

Eat Intentionally

For most people, it’s totally fine to let yourself eat a little less healthy for a short time. To minimize the effects, make thoughtful choices about what you’re going to eat.

For example, homemade sweets are almost always better for you than store-bought so choose the homemade cookies. You can also make a point to avoid certain particularly unhealthy ingredients such as food dyes or seed oils.

Also, don’t eat unhealthy foods that you don’t particularly love just because they’re available. Save your “cheating” for your favorites!

Gluten-free cranberry crisp bars on a plate beside pan with more bars.

Find Better Alternatives to Your Favorites

Many times, there’s a healthier version of your favorite recipe that you’ll love! Have fun experimenting with recipe modifications (such as reducing the sugar) or look online for another recipe for the same food.

Buy Healthier Candy and Treats

As much as we love homemade sweets around the holidays, store-bought Christmas candy is a classic. Thankfully, there are a number of healthier candy brands that taste just as good (or even better) than typical candy.

Browse online or explore your local health food store or high-end grocery store, and I bet you’ll be surprised by the fun options! (My favorite Christmas candy are these organic, artificial dye-free candy canes.)

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Store Sweets Out of Sight

If they’re out of sight, they won’t be constantly tempting you as much! You can even hide them from the rest of your family and bring them out only when you’re ready to serve them.

Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

With a little bit of intentionality, anyone can eat healthy during the holidays! Using these simple tips can help you stick to your health goals while still enjoying this festive time of year.

What’s your favorite way to stay on track with your health during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments!