GutLove Tips For The Holiday Season
Let's be prepared. Together.
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and, let's be honest, indulgence. While it's perfectly natural to savor the delicious treats that come with the festivities, it's also important to find a balance that allows you to enjoy the season without compromising your health. Let’s explore some gutloving tips and strategies to help you make mindful and nutritious choices during the holiday feasts.
GutLove Tip #1: Plan Ahead:
Given how hectic the holidays are, is it feasible to plan meals?
One of the keys to maintaining a healthy diet during the holidays is to plan your meals and snacks in advance. If you know you'll be attending a holiday party in the evening, make sure to eat a balanced and satisfying meal earlier in the day. This includes incorporating The Golden Goddess Plate, consisting of 20-30 grams of perfect protein, first-class fat, fabulous fiber, and glorious greens at each meal. This can help curb your appetite, balance you blood sugar, and prevent overindulgence later on.
GutLove Tip #2: Bring a Healthy Dish:
When you receive that coveted holiday party invitation, why not contribute not only to the celebration but also to the well-being of everyone in attendance?
Bringing a nutritious dish to share not only adds a thoughtful touch to the festivities but also ensures that amidst the array of tempting treats, there's a healthy option that everyone can enjoy.
Consider crafting a vibrant and nutrient-packed dish that not only complements the season's spirit but also adds a burst of color and flavor to the table. Opting for colorful salads, roasted vegetables, or an artfully arranged fruit platter allows you to showcase the rich palette of nature's bounty. These dishes not only contribute to the visual appeal of the spread but also provide a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
A crisp, mixed greens salad adorned with a variety of vegetables and a light vinaigrette can be a refreshing addition, offering a contrast to the heartier fare typically found during holiday gatherings. Nourishing Lab’s Holiday Broccoli Salad is a refreshing delight with a simple yet delightful dressing, featuring the creamy and tangy notes of Dijon mustard or tahini. Meanwhile, a meticulously arranged fruit platter not only satisfies the sweet tooth but also introduces a medley of natural sugars, fiber, and essential nutrients.
GutLove Tip #3: Practice Mindful Eating:
In the hustle and bustle of holiday festivities, the temptation to indulge in decadent dishes can be overwhelming. Mindful eating, however, offers a powerful strategy to enhance your health and well-being during this celebratory season. It involves cultivating a heightened awareness of your eating habits, promoting a more intentional and conscious approach to nourishment.
Mindful eating goes beyond the mere enjoyment of flavors—it encourages you to tune in to your body's hunger and fullness cues. By paying close attention to the signals your body is sending, you can distinguish between genuine hunger and emotional or social triggers that may prompt unnecessary eating. This heightened awareness acts as a natural safeguard against overeating, allowing you to maintain a healthy balance in your diet.
Reflect: Before you dig in, pause and check in with yourself. Is it hunger, or could it be thirst, boredom, or stress?
Evaluate: Take a moment to assess. How does it smell? Do you genuinely crave it? Is it more than you actually need?
Moderate: Slow down your eating pace to allow your brain to sync with your stomach. Put your fork down between bites and immerse yourself in the flavors.
Enjoy: Relish your meal. Take the time to appreciate the satisfaction of each bite—the taste, the texture, everything!
Cease: Listen to your body and stop when you're full. There's no need to clean your plate if it means overindulging.
GutLove Tip #4: Stay Hydrated:
Frequently, our bodies can misinterpret thirst as hunger. Ensure you stay adequately hydrated throughout the day by choosing to drink water, preferably Aquatrue filtered water or Pure Water distilled water, or opt for herbal teas. This not only contributes to your overall health but also plays a crucial role in appetite control, helping to stave off mindless snacking.
Add a burst of flavor to your water by infusing it with your favorite ingredients:
Cucumber & orange
Lemon & thyme
Basil, orange & blueberry
Rosemary & grapefruit
Mint, cucumber & jalapeno
GutLove Tip #5: Opt for Healthier Swaps:
Can you make healthier swaps without experiencing a sense of deprivation?
Elevating the nutritional profile of your holiday meals doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or tradition—it's all about getting creative with healthier alternatives to classic dishes. By making thoughtful swaps, you can introduce a spectrum of nutrients while maintaining the festive spirit.
Consider replacing traditional mashed potatoes with a lighter, nutrient-packed option—mashed cauliflower. Infuse the dish with flavors by adding herbs, garlic, or a touch of olive oil or ghee for a delightful twist that is both satisfying and health-conscious.
For those pizza lovers, explore the world of alternative crusts. Whole grain crusts provide more fiber and nutrients compared to their refined flour counterparts, offering a heartier and more wholesome base. NL’s Gluten Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza adds a unique and delightful flavor, taking your pizza indulgence to a whole new level.
GutLove Tip #6: Limit Alcohol Intake:
Can a holiday party buzz with excitement even in the absence of alcohol?
The holiday season often brings with it an abundance of festive cheer, and for many, this includes a variety of alcoholic beverages. While enjoying a drink or two as part of the celebration is perfectly reasonable, it's essential to be mindful of the potential pitfalls of excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in the context of overeating.
Alcoholic beverages can have a twofold impact on your eating habits. First, they can lower inhibitions, making it easier to indulge in larger quantities of food. Second, alcohol can stimulate the appetite, leading to a heightened sense of hunger and a tendency to consume more calories than intended. These factors, combined with the array of delectable treats often found at holiday gatherings, create an environment conducive to overeating.
To tackle this potential challenge, let's shake up some delightful mocktails that play with herbs and spices!
Kin Euphorics offers Dream Light, the ultimate nightcap designed for a restful sleep. Crafted with adaptogenic reishi, calming passion flower, and infused with L-theanine, L-tryptophan, and a hint of melatonin, this concoction is a bedtime dream. The addition of botanicals from oak, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and chilies creates an earthy and smoky profile, with just the right touch of spice. Say cheers to a cozy and flavorful evening experience that will leave you feeling relaxed and ready for a night of sweet dreams!
GutLove Tip #7: Stay Active:
Maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the holiday season proves instrumental in counteracting indulgences. Whether you prefer a brisk walk, a gym session, or engaging in winter activities, staying active significantly contributes to your overall well-being.
Enhancing this experience is the app called Future, a cutting-edge platform that seamlessly combines technology, curated content, and guidance from elite personal trainers to empower its members in their fitness journey. With Future's custom-made training plans featuring personalized audio coaching, the app is designed to ensure your commitment to fitness endures. Achieve your goals conveniently, be it at home, in the gym, or during group fitness classes – Future enables you to pursue your fitness objectives when and where it suits you best.
Photo credit: Future.co
The holiday season is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of loved ones. By incorporating these tips and strategies into your festive routine, you can strike a balance between indulgence and healthy choices. Remember, it's not about deprivation but about making mindful decisions that support your well-being.
Cheers to a happy, healthy, and gutloving holiday season!
