holiday nutrition

The Holidays are a busy time for so many reasons; Christmas shopping, decorating, baking & cooking extra meals, entertaining, preparing for the winter ahead, and meeting deadlines at work. While most of these are fun, they can also leave us stressed and overwhelmed!

We may be spending more time in the kitchen than usual, but this doesn’t necessarily provide us with the supportive nutritional foods that we desperately need during this busy time!
Therefore, I encourage you to carve out (at least) 15 minutes this week and plan out some ways you can show yourself some love by incorporating health & nutrition into your Holiday traditions!

Here are some of my recommendations;

 Like a Scout: Be Prepared!

• Pack healthy snacks for a day of shopping or tree cutting
• Stay hydrated, have a water bottle handy 24/7, or sip herbal non-caffeinated teas
• Plan out both your healthy & not-so-healthy meals
•  If you have time off, plan for relaxation & activities that include lots of movement!
• Focus on Christmas coloured veggies! (i.e. salad with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, or veggies dipped in guacamole)

 
Be a Trail-Blazer

• Bring healthy options to pot-lucks (at least you know you’ll have one good option!)
• experiment with healthy alternatives at home (dried fruit, bananas or apples instead of refined sugar in baking)
• Plan a get-together that’s not based around rich, unhealthy foods (sledding, skiing, hikes, Christmas light walks, tea & boardgames etc.)
• Have fun with herbal teas & essential oil flavoured drinks

Be Mindful

• Focus on savouring the foods you eat
• Make a point of being grateful for all the delicious options
• Stop eating if you don’t enjoy it (no one will truly be upset if you don’t finish that cookie)
• Avoid feelings of guilt when you do have a treat! Eat it, enjoy it and forget it!
• De-stress: practice deep breathing throughout the day and before meals

 
Spread Digestive Cheer!
Include probiotic foods/drinks with meals & snacks

• Kombucha
• Kefir
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Yogurt
• Miso soup
• Sour pickles

 
Other easily digested options that can pack in lots of nutrients include soups, stews & smoothies.
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One sure way to feel good is to include veggies in every meal & snack!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

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References
CHFA. (2018). Eat drink and be merry – Your holiday strategy for healthy digestion. Retrieved from: https://www.chfablog.ca/en/blog/
Daniluk, J. (2018). Healthy holiday chocolate bark recipe (effortless for your holiday bliss) Retrieved from: https://www.juliedaniluk.com/blog/
Lipman, F. (2018). 7 tips for a healthier, happier, low-stress holiday. Retrieved from: https://www.bewell.com/blog/7-tips-for-a-healthier-happier-low-stress-holiday/