How to Eat Healthy Over the Holidays

Oct 26, 2010
Jennifer Murray

Eat Favorites in Moderation Over the Holidays - Elena Schweitzer/Fotolia

Sticking to a healthy eating plan is often difficult to do during the holidays. Here's how to eat healthy over the holidays and avoid holiday weight gain.

With all the delicious meals and desserts available during the holiday season, it’s easy to overindulge, completely blow your healthy eating habits, and gain weight. Planning ahead can help you avoid overeating and prevent gaining a few extra pounds over the holidays. Try these easy tips for eating healthy during the holidays.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Research suggests those who start the day with a healthy breakfast eat fewer calories throughout the day. Start your day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries and slivered almonds, a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat toast or make a fruit smoothie made up of low-fat milk, strawberries, half a banana and a tablespoon of wheat germ.

Limit Food Portions

Part of what makes the holidays fun is eating those favorite foods you only eat once per year. You don’t have to give up your favorite holiday foods, but eat high-fat and high-calorie foods in moderation. If you have trouble stopping after just a couple bites, take sips of water frequently so that you’ll fill up faster.

Eat Frequent Meals

Avoid going to parties or sitting down at the table overly hungry. Eat small frequent meals throughout the day to prevent overeating later on. Eat a small snack before heading off to a party. Do not skip meals to try to save up your calories for later in the day or evening when you know you’re going to a party since skipping meals can lead to overeating.

Fill Up on Fiber

Control your appetite by filling up on high fiber foods like fruits and vegetables. Not only does fiber keep you feeling fuller longer, eating high fiber foods as appetizers will help you eat less during your meals. Try to fill the majority of your plate with vegetable side dishes.

Listen to Your Body

The body sends cues to let you know when you’ve eaten enough. Instead of continuing to eat until you are completely full, stop eating when you are no longer hungry. Stopping before you are stuffed takes practice.

Get Back on Track

With all the goodies at your fingertips during the holiday season, it’s often difficult to avoid overeating. Keeping your healthy eating habits throughout the holidays takes patience and practice. If you do happen to throw your healthy diet plan out the window over the holiday season, don’t be too hard on yourself. Once the holidays are over, just get right back on track.