Tips to Navigate Holiday Party Foods

TIPS TO NAVIGATE HOLIDAY PARTY FOODS

The holidays are in full swing! During the season, we’re surrounded by an array of party foods and the temptation to indulge in these sweets and treats is abundant. If you’re looking for tips to navigate holiday party foods, look no further!

It’s important to note that one “bad day” won’t make or break your diet. What matters is how fast you bounce back. Oftentimes, people throw in the towel and allow the entire holiday season to drive their health and waistline out of control, leading to a weight gain of 5 to 11 pounds! We’re going to help you navigate those party foods and help you stay on track during the holidays.

Have a consistent workout routine

Exercise is very important to balance calories in versus calories out. One of the best things you can do after a big meal is to walk it off! Researchers have found that a post-meal walk, even one as short as 15 minutes, can in fact help with digestion and improve blood sugar levels. Looking for something to listen to during your walk? We recommend downloading the Naturally Nourished podcast!

Reduce your alcohol intake and drink more water

During the holiday season, we tend to indulge in alcohol more. Those extra cocktails or glasses of wine will really slow down your metabolism. As few as 1-2 glasses of wine can slow your metabolism by 70%. This slowing down is two fold. First, alcohol dehydrates the body, which in turn lowers the water available for other biochemical processes like lipolysis. Secondly, your liver is the primary fat burning organ. When drinking alcohol, your liver must focus on detoxification as opposed to fat burning. To rehydrate your body, try infusing water with fresh fruit! We really recommend citrus for the extra electrolytes.

Add more protein to your diet

Protein-based foods have amino acids that feed the muscle and boost metabolism. Eating protein before your holiday party will have you feeling full. This will prevent you from overindulging. Aim to eat at least 15 to 30 grams of protein per meal to maintain a good appetite and prevent muscle breakdown. Choose proteins that are from grass-fed, pasture-raised, wild and organic sources free of antibiotics and hormones.

Load up on low-starchy vegetables

Veggies will give you the crunch without the carbs. We like to use the term “volumetrics,” which means you can eat a large volume of vegetables (1-2 cups) for 10-50 calories max! The low starch vegetables that are often at parties include celery, carrots, cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.

Keep carbs in check

Carbohydrates directly raise blood sugar levels. Refined carbohydrates will raise blood sugar more rapidly. Anything made with flour is considered a refined carbohydrate, even 100% wheat flour. When blood sugar levels are elevated, excess sugar is stored as fat! Focus on reducing carbohydrate intake and selecting from fruits, starchy vegetables, and beans as resistant starches that have a lower influence on raising your blood sugar levels. When eating a carbohydrate, be sure to pair it with a protein or healthy fat for optimal metabolic response and more satiety.

Looking for a healthy holiday recipe that ties in all of these tips? Try our Garden Greek Yogurt Dip! It’s perfect to bring to holiday parties!

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup organic Greek yogurt (we like Nancy’s or Wallaby Brand)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
pinch sea salt
pinch black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Mix well, folding the herbs into the yogurt until combined. Season to taste. Serve with vegetable crudités.

Navigating party foods during the holidays will be a breeze with these tips! Let us know how you monitor your holiday eating on Twitter!