5 Tips for Getting Back On The Rails with Your Diet After the Holidays

The holidays are a time for indulging, but you might wonder once you've gotten started how you will stop. The five tips below can all help you get back on track if too much rich food and other indulgences have put your diet plan in jeopardy. 

Eat on schedule

Holiday snacking and big meals served mid-afternoon can all contribute to losing track of the good health habits you've been working on. Make sure that you start eating your meals at regular intervals again with healthy snacks built in as needed.

Drink water

The holidays are ripe for overindulgence in eggnog, sugar-laden punches, alcohol and other unhealthy beverages. Get back into the habit of staying healthily hydrated by drinking water regularly again. Add a sliver of lemon, lime or cucumber if it tastes too plain.

Get rid of temptation

If your house is still stocked with holiday treats and leftovers, it's time to get rid of them. Take them to work, give them to a neighbor or throw them out, and put healthy food back in their place. If it isn't there, you can't be tempted by it.

Don't be discouraged by holiday weight gain

A big diet derail can occur if you feel as though there's no point in trying to reset your healthy habits just because you've been indulgent. Whether it's one meal, one day or several weeks of unhealthy eating, you don't have to throw your hands up in despair. Just shift back to your old healthy habits and you'll start to see results.

Rethink your diet

This can actually be a great time to do a reset of some of your habits. You might want to look into signing up for a meal planning service, doing more cooking and freezing of food on weekends or cutting back on your restaurant meals in the year ahead.

The holidays can be a tough time for healthy eating. However, you can follow the above steps to shift to a healthier mindset and better habits no matter how indulgent you've been.

Summary: 

4 Least Healthy and 4 Most Healthy Foods For the Holidays

During the holidays, it is easy to make bad nutritional choices at a relative’s home or at a restaurant’s buffet. It is important to enjoy the holidays with the fantastic main or side dishes that are available, and you will also want to enjoy tasty desserts. However, it is easy to gain weight throughout the holidays, and if you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, then you must use caution while selecting foods. Here is a list of the least and most healthy foods that are served at holiday meals. 

Food 1: Baked Turkey Is Nutritious

Turkey is a nutritious food that is full of protein, and if you don’t cook it in oil, then it is also low in fat. This delicious poultry also contains phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamin B and zinc. The best way to cook turkey is by baking or roasting methods rather than deep-frying it. 

Food 2: Pecan Pie Is High In Sugar

While pecan pie is full of nuts that have protein, it is one of the least healthy foods during the holidays. This is because this dessert has a lot of sugar in its ingredients that include honey, maple syrup, molasses or brown sugar. Pecan pie is also made with several eggs and large amounts of butter, making this dessert high in fat. 

Food 3: Green Bean Casserole Contains Nutrients

Green bean casserole is a favorite vegetable dish during the holidays, and it has several nutrients that your body requires for optimal health. This side dish contains delicious green beans along with mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce and breaded onion rings. 

Food 4: Gravy Is High In Fat

If you enjoy pouring gravy on your mashed potatoes and stuffing, then you should know that this food is high in fat and low in nutrients. Gravy is made using the fatty juices from meats such as turkey, and this liquid is mixed with cornstarch or flour. 

Food 5: Mashed Potatoes Contain Vitamins and Minerals

Potatoes contain minerals and vitamins, but it is possible to ruin this food with the wrong recipe. Some of the nutrients in potatoes include vitamin C and B along with calcium and iron. Use low-fat milk while making mashed potatoes to reduce the calories in this food. 

Food 6: Fudge Has a Lot Of Sugar and Fat

Fudge is delicious, but one small piece is filled with fat and sugar. This holiday dessert is made with butter, whole milk and sugar along with chocolate or peanut butter morsels. 

Food 7: Nutritious Brussels Sprouts

Many holiday buffets include Brussels sprouts that contain nutrients such as calcium along with vitamins C and A. These tiny cabbages are easy to prepare with a roasting or boiling method, and you can sprinkle herbs or seasonings on this vegetable.

Food 8: Turkey Stuffing 

Traditional holiday stuffing is often cooked inside a turkey’s cavity, and this is what makes this one of the least healthy foods. The dry pieces of bread in stuffing will absorb the fat from the turkey, making this side dish high in calories.