I’ve mentioned that recently, I’ve been facing some challenges in sticking to my weight loss plan. At work this week, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation with a local dietitian, who gave us some really great tips for healthier habits through the holiday season. There were several takeaways from this hour, and I want to share the highlights with you today.

1. Plan Ahead

If you have multiple holiday parties and events in a given week, eat less at one event so you can indulge more at another. Especially useful if you have an idea of what will be served and can choose to indulge at the event serving something you enjoy more.

2. Never Arrive Hungry

Always drink some water before a holiday party so you aren’t starving upon arrival. An apple or some popcorn are great pre-party snack options that will keep you fuller longer with fewer calories!

3. Wait 20 Minutes Before Taking Seconds

This is one of the key healthier habits through the holiday season. It gives your food an opportunity to digest. After 20 minutes, you are less likely to feel hungry, and therefore less likely to overindulge.

4. Start With the Veggie Tray

By filling up on low-cal foods first, you’ll have less room for sugary desserts.

5. Experiment with Your Favorite Recipes

• Use chicken stock instead of cream
• Replace ½ of oil or butter with applesauce or prune puree
• Replace ½ of flour with coconut flour, or use whole wheat flour (more filling so you eat less)
• Nonfat evaporated milk
• Replace butter with vegetable/olive oil

6. Use Fruit as the Main Part of Dessert

Try a poached pear with a little rice pudding.

7. The Most of Important of the Healthier Habits Through the Holiday Season: Everything in Moderation.

The main takeaway though, was everything in moderation. Don’t starve and deprive yourself through the holiday season.

Instead, have one of your favorite cookies when you feel like you could eat ten. Have 1/4 cup of eggnog for an after-dinner treat, instead of mindlessly filling up a glass.

Speaking of eggnog, our presenter shared a recipe with us for a healthy eggnog replacement. Since this is one of my all-time favorite holiday treats, I’m going to give it a try tomorrow and share the results with you.

Be on the look-out for my upcoming post “Recipe | Healthy Eggnog Alternative.”

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