Eating Clean During the Holidays

October through January is a difficult time of year for those trying to watch what they eat.

While the rest of humanity looks forward to indulging in Halloween candy, Thanksgiving stuffing, Christmas ham and New Years’ drinks, we dread having to stare down a cheesecake, wrestling with our thoughts. 



“It’s just once a year...” 


“But I worked so hard; I don’t want to undo everything.” 


“But Auntie Jenny made that appetizer specifically for me!”


“How many calories are in that??”



Is that beef wellington?? Well, la dee da for this family.

Honestly, this is why most people bulk during the holidays (me included). 

For me, the holidays are free days. I don’t count calories, I don’t keep macros in mind, and if I want a slice of my sister’s amazing cheesecake, then gosh darnit I’m having a slice of cheesecake!!

The only thing I keep in check is how much of everything I’m eating. I try to eat a little bit of everything, and make sure I’m not going to make myself sick. Like I said in my Cheat Days article, one day (or four holidays) won’t make much of a difference in the end.




But if bulking up is the furthest thing from your mind, and you’re determined to stay healthy and happy throughout the Winter, here are a few survival tips to avoid an upset stomach and a guilty conscience.



1) Have a game plan. You know what’s going to be there; at least in my family, we have staples that we make every year. Before you go, make a mental or written check list of what you really want to eat, and stick to it. Maybe even log it into MyFitnessPal for accountability. 


2) If you’ve going to drink, don’t use mixers. Sure, screwdrivers are delicious, but that’s because orange juice is super sugary. Have some red wine, or sip on some straight up liquor with a wedge of lime. This website, getdrunknotfat.com, is super helpful for this!



3) To avoid mindlessly snacking, always have water, and chew gum. It’s usually not the big meals that get you; it’s that giant spread of appetizers. Keep your hands busy holding a glass of water and your mouth busy with some minty gum so you don’t reach for that brie and mini hotdogs and chips and...



A fool-proof way to know if you ate too many cookies.
Or whole pies.

4) Avoid empty calories, like carbs. Unless you’re on a special diet, try to stick to meat and veggies. Turkey? Awesome. Roasted carrots? Great! Don’t grab 3 rolls, half a can of cranberry sauce and two cups of stuffing. Not only will they spike your blood sugar, but you’ll be super hungry later, making you want to eat even more food. Proteins, veggies, and healthy fats (I’m a fan of butter!) will satisfy you. 



5) Bring your own food. I’m not saying to pack a lunch and avoid everything else, but bring a side dish and/or appetizer you know is safe for you to eat. Cocktail shrimp, raw veggies with homemade dip, roasted vegetables, and even a bowl of fruit for dessert are all great, healthy options. 

A podcaster named Abel James has a great book of recipes: Fat Burning Chef. You should also check out his podcast, Fat-Burning Man; it's one of my favorites!

6) If you can handle yourself while you’re full, but not when you’re hungry, then eat before you go. Just like you wouldn’t go food shopping on an empty stomach, don’t wander into the valley of death when you could eat a horse. The only problem with this option is if you’re a muncher, and will eat things even when you’re not hungry. Then you’ll just have all the calories from what you ate before AND the holiday food!!



7) If you do decide to go the Cheat Day route, make sure it doesn’t transform into a Cheat Week. If you’re hosting, give away the food at the end of the night. If you’re a guest, don’t take the food home! Work out the morning after to start your day off right. Prepare your healthy food for the rest of the week the day before the Cheat, so you’ll have a bunch of good food waiting for you instead of pies and rolls. 



What do you do if people are bothering you about it? 

Smile, make a joke, and drop the subject. Don’t let other people force you to eat anything you don’t want to. Screw them. You’re strong, and what you eat has absolutely no effect on their lives. If it really gets to be a problem, say there’s chanting of “EAT IT. EAT IT.” involved, then you need a new group to join for Thanksgiving. Because seriously, your family and friends should support you in whatever you do. Remind them of that, and move on.

And the day after Thanksgiving,
I better see you all in the gym!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Share with your friends; let's spread the sanity.

Lift. Eat. Love. Repeat.
Email me any questions, comments or suggestions!