How to be Healthy at Holiday Parties

How to be Healthy at Holiday Parties

The holiday season is here! One of the most enjoyable part of this season is spending time with friends and family. In many cases, this means attending holiday parties. Holiday parties can be a great way to celebrate the season, but they also often mean food, food and more food! And a lot of us are invited to several holiday parties during the season, which can be bad for our waistline and our health.

You might feel like you can’t attend holiday parties and still be healthy, but this isn’t true! You can have fun and celebrate with those you love all while still caring about your health.

Here are some tips for staying healthy at holiday parties.

Don’t Arrive Hungry

You might think that it’s a good idea to eat less during the day when you have a holiday party coming up, so that you “have room” to eat at the party, but doing this can backfire. If you show up hungry, you’ll be much more likely to overeat at the party and to eat unhealthy foods.

Instead, eat a healthy meal before you head out to the party. This will keep you feeling satisfied so that you’ll be able to eat a reasonable amount of holiday snacks at the party.

Stay Hydrated

Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger. If you’re at a party, make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Sparkling water has no calories and can be quite refreshing. Add a fruit slice for flavor!

Drinking water is also important because it can help you control the amount of alcohol you drink. Alternate between an alcoholic drink and a glass of water to keep from drinking too much.

Eat from a Plate

Rather than standing by the food and snacking, put a reasonable amount of food on a plate and then walk away with the plate. This can prevent “mindless” eating and allow you to enjoy the foods you really like.

Eat Fruits, Vegetables and Protein

It’s tempting to fill up on chips, cake and cookies when you get to a holiday party, but try to focus on fruits, vegetables and lean proteins instead. Not only are they healthier, but they’ll keep you full.

Give Yourself a Treat or Two

You don’t need to entirely avoid the treats that you enjoy. Allow yourself to have one or two of the items that you really like and leave the others behind. This way, you’ll still get to enjoy your favorites, but you won’t overdo it.