With the holidays coming up, a little weight gain and indulging is to be expected and, of course, totally understandable. Now by no means do we discourage enjoying yourself during the holiday season; rather, we wish to advise everyone on how to go about it in a healthier way.
With a few tricks here and there, it’s entirely possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle even throughout all those big get-together dinners or scrumptious holiday leftovers.
To make your holiday season a little healthier, you might find these simple tips to be helpful.
Keep your stress levels in check
Naturally, the holiday season is full of endless fun, love, and excitement – but unfortunately it tends to come with a lot of stress too. With all the shopping, decorating, and travelling, it’s no wonder we always feel so burnt out and excited during this time of the year.
Stress actually does a lot more damage than we realize. You may notice that in stressful situations, you have the urge to reach for a snack like a bag of chips or a box of cookies. This is because, physiologically speaking, stress activates a hormone called cortisol, which results in an increase in appetite and a sudden desire to eat sugary, fatty, and salty foods.
To combat this, you can ward off stress by sticking to a steady and mindful daily regimen. Simple things, such as getting a good night’s sleep and fitting in a few minutes of exercise everyday, will have you reaping tremendous benefits. Doing these will not only keep you fit and energized, but it will also do wonders for your mood.
For an added boost, you can try taking one or two teaspoons of Rosita Cod Liver Oil every morning around breakfast. Research has shown that cod liver oil has several stress-fighting qualities, as it regulates the dopamine levels in the body.
Find healthier alternatives to your favorite treats
Healthy eating doesn’t have to feel like a chore – it can be a whole adventure creating new recipes and exploring modifications. For example, you can use yoghurt instead of mayonnaise in your devilled eggs or add lentils to your secret meatball recipe!
To get an extra nutritional boost, another favourite we like to add to our meals is Tasmanian Hemp Seeds. They work fantastic with treats such as smoothies, yoghurt, salads, and more.
Of course, this is much easier when you’re the one doing the cooking for a big feast. If you happen to be a guest at a party, it might be a little tricker to find these alternatives at the dinner table, but that’s not to say that you can’t enjoy yourself.
If you don’t want to end up eating too much at the party, try to use smaller plates and opt for healthier choices, like roasted vegetables or a fruit platter. That brings us to the next thing on our list.
Incorporate fruit and vegetables into your diet
Sometimes, it’s not about eating less, but about eating better. By simply increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, you’re already doing yourself a huge favor. It’s not just important for our health, but it’s also great for training our palate. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself naturally inclined to reach for a healthy dish!
When in doubt, it might help to have a serving of vegetables first before anything else. This can be something you do by yourself at home before attending the party. By doing this, you’re guaranteed to have your fill of vegetables before feasting on the higher-calorie meals at the event.
Plus, you can always help your body adjust by taking certain supplements, such as Elderberries. They are a low-calorie food that contains high amounts of dietary fibre and Vitamin C, making them an excellent addition to your diet.
Be mindful of portions
If you’ve found yourself in a position where you don’t have any healthy or low-calorie food options at hand, there’s no need to panic, as you can still keep yourself in check by controlling your portions.
To keep yourself from overeating at dinner, you can keep yourself full throughout the day by eating small snacks. Or, you can have three medium-sized meals, instead of three extra large ones. This is a great technique that improves your digestion and overall reduces the amount of food that you’re actually consuming.
There are other things that you can do to control your intake – for instance, you can try adding a few drops of Yerba Mate MCT Oil Tincture to your coffee. There are studies that suggest that this may play a role in naturally reducing your appetite, so this is a great way to trick your body into not overeating.
Additionally, it’s very common to feel bloated a lot during the holidays. Have a cup of our Super Tea - Peppermint, Spearmint, Licorice, Marsh Mellow, Nettle every now and then to help reduce bloating, aid in digestion, and accelerate your metabolism.
Don’t skimp on the exercise
It might be tempting to take a long break from working out during the holidays, and with all of the hustling and bustling, it becomes less and less of a priority. But continuing to stay active can bring you wonderful benefits all throughout the season and even after the holidays are long gone!
Like we mentioned earlier, exercise is terrific for reducing those nasty symptoms of stress. Aside from spending an hour or two at the gym, there are other ways to stay fit and active such as going for a long walk or doing some yoga in the morning.
These will allow you to get some quiet time to yourself as well, where you can fully de-stress and just focus on the moment.
Before your workout, you’ll want to get your energy up with some Black Maca Powder. Simply add a teaspoon to your milk, coffee, or just hot water, and you’ll be reaping the benefits of added vigor and strength before you get moving.
Your muscles may feel a little sore afterward, so you might be interested in taking Indonesian 200:1 Extract Powder for a boost in muscle recovery. You can mix it in with other herbal teas plus your choice of sweetener.
Staying fit and healthy throughout the jolly season can be the best thing you can do for your mind and body. And with that, we hope that you were able to find these nifty tips and tricks to be helpful. Here’s to a wonderful, healthy, and happy holiday to everyone!
