Simple ways to eat well, manage the busy days, and enjoy the season.
With every passing year, I seem to enjoy the holidays a little less. I look forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food, and keeping up the traditions that make this time of year special. But somewhere between the shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, parties, and travel, the season can become a bit of a blur.
It's easy to get caught up in everything that needs to be done and lose sight of our own needs — including the everyday routines that help us feel our best.
If you can relate, I'd like to share a few practical ways to make eating well a little easier during the holidays. I can't promise they'll make the season less hectic, but perhaps they'll help you take better care of yourself along the way.
Here are five things worth considering before the holidays get into full swing.
1. Plan for Busy Days
When you're juggling holiday preparations and your usual responsibilities, this is a good time to keep meals simple.
Keep a few easy meals on hand. Eggs and toast, soup and a sandwich, or a grain bowl with vegetables and beans can make a satisfying meal without much effort.
Make your freezer work for you. Frozen vegetables are convenient, nutritious, and ready when you need them.
Cook once, eat twice. Make a double batch of soup, roast an extra tray of vegetables, or prepare enough of a favorite meal for another night.
Have a backup plan. Know what you'll make when the day runs long — or which local restaurants offer convenient takeout options you enjoy.
You don't have to cook from scratch every night to eat well. A few dependable options can take the pressure off and free up time for everything else competing for your attention.
2. Eat Normally Before the Big Meal
If you're going to a holiday dinner, you might be tempted to skip breakfast or have a very light lunch to save room for the evening meal. Unfortunately, this can backfire.
Going into dinner extremely hungry can make it harder to eat comfortably and recognize when you've had enough.
So, eat your regular meals throughout the day. When dinner arrives, you can enjoy the food without feeling as though you've been waiting for it all day.
And remember, you don't need to earn your holiday meal by eating less beforehand or make up for it afterward. One dinner is just one dinner. Your everyday eating habits over time have a much greater influence on your overall health than any single celebration.
3. Make Room for Your Favorite Holiday Foods
If you're like me, there are certain foods you look forward to all year — the ones that only seem to appear around the holidays. Part of enjoying the season is enjoying the food. So enjoy it!
Choose the dishes you genuinely look forward to. Take your time, savor them, and give yourself permission to enjoy the meal without worrying about every bite.
You may find that the experience is more enjoyable when you're not spending the entire time thinking about what you should or shouldn't be eating.
There's room for both enjoyment and good nutrition during the holidays. No guilt required.
4. Don't Let the To-Do List Take Over
Food preparation is only part of what makes the holidays busy. There are often gifts to buy, events to attend, family expectations to manage, and countless details that can consume your time.
Before you commit to everything, take a moment to decide what really matters to you.
A few questions worth asking:
Which traditions do I most want to keep?
What can I simplify this year?
Can someone else help?
Am I leaving any time for myself?
Sleep, regular movement, and a little downtime matter even more when life gets busy. Making time for these basics can help you maintain your energy and feel more like yourself throughout the season.
You don't have to do everything, and you don't have to do everything yourself.
Sometimes, the best holiday plan is deciding what not to do.
5. Let Leftovers Do Some of the Work
One of the perks of a holiday meal is having food ready for the next few days. With a little creativity, leftovers can save time and make it easier to put together satisfying meals.
A few ideas:
Add leftover turkey to a sandwich or wrap.
Turn roasted vegetables into an omelet or frittata.
Add leftover vegetables and poultry to a pot of soup.
Combine vegetables, beans, and a whole grain for an easy lunch.
Freeze portions for another busy week.
And when the celebrations wind down, simply return to your usual routine. There's no need for a detox, a restrictive eating plan, or a promise to eat perfectly starting Monday.
Get back to the meals and habits that help you feel your best and move on with your life.
A Few Things to Remember
Keep a few easy meals available.
Eat regularly.
Enjoy the foods you look forward to.
Give yourself permission to simplify.
And remember, “no” is a complete sentence.
The holidays may always come with a little extra chaos. I encourage your to make room for the things that matter most to you. Take care of yourself along the way, and give yourself permission to enjoy the season on your own terms.
