Healthy Eating Habits for December

Eating healthy during the holidays is always challenging because there are many great opportunities to gather with friends and family to enjoy a nice winter feast. While large communal dinners may not be on the menu this year, it is still important to approach your holiday diet with care. The holiday season is an important part of many cultures and religions, so you feast this upcoming month. Remember to balance your diet with plenty of exercise, even from home, and follow these healthy eating habits for December! And remember to have a fun and safe holiday season with your friends here at HiDow International.

Embrace Seasonal Foods and Seasonal Ingredients

Eating seasonally is a healthy and delicious way to ensure your body always receives vitamins and nutrients from various food groups. One of the best parts about the holiday season taking place during December is that there are so many incredible seasonal ingredients in the season! Of course, there are the typical seasonal dishes that include pumpkin, tons of spices, and even the seasonal whole turkey! Plenty of other seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as Beetroot, artichoke, chard, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, apples, citrus fruits, and nuts.

Budget Your Calories Wisely

Let’s be honest— just about everything on the menu at a holiday dinner can be good for you in moderation. Yes, even the occasional sweets or alcoholic beverages. The thing to remember is: everything is in moderation. Keep a well-balanced diet this month so that you do not overdo it with one kind of food. It helps to keep a physical food log or journal where you can tally up what foods you are eating, and it will also help you be more mindful of the foods you consume. This can make you feel a whole lot better about indulging in that delicious pumpkin pie that you would normally keep away from.

Don’t Go Into a Feast on an Empty Stomach

This should be common knowledge, but now and then, we skip a meal in anticipation of dinner or a big feast. This is a bad idea because you will be extra hungry and eat with your eyes. To prevent overheating, you should have small meals or snacks leading up to your holiday dinner. Not enough to spoil your appetite but enough to keep you from filling up in the first ten minutes after sitting down.

Keep Your New Year’s Resolution in Mind Now

Finally, do not wait until New Year’s Eve to plan your new fitness goals. If your New Year’s Resolution is related to health— maybe you want to shed some pounds or reach a new milestone at the gym– then keep that in mind early on. Sometimes a little foresight can prevent you from setting your goals back a month.