Tis’ the season for overindulging in tasty treats, holiday cocktails, and social get-togethers with excess amounts of inflammatory food.

How do we sustain our healthy lifestyles and find balance during these times? Shelly, Thrive’s certified nutritionist, has advice to help you stay on track this holiday season.

First and foremost, don’t bite off more than you can handle.

Don’t overbook yourself with holiday parties and get togethers. It’s okay to say no; know your boundaries. Your mental health is more important than anything else.

Stick to your normal routine as best you can to continue with consistency.

This is always key to keeping your stress level down during an already stressful season.

Start your day on a positive note.

This could be a walk, some yoga, prayer, meditation, or a well-balanced breakfast with someone you love. You choose what that means for you, and this will help you be more calm throughout the day and make better choices.

Bring a healthy dish or appetizer to share. 

Whether it’s for your neighborhood holiday party, work, or family gathering, this will give you something to feel good snacking on or eating at a meal.

Have an accountability partner or coach to help keep you from derailing from your normal routine.

Keep those who are supportive of your lifestyle and overall wellness close during this time. It could be as simple as a walking partner who holds you accountable to the daily task or the friend who reminds you to drink water in between the cocktails — we all need those helpful reminders.

Focus on more than the food at the holiday celebrations.

Holidays are about family, friends, and the love that we share and the memories we make — not the food that we eat. Be in the moment and take in the time with people you love. Make those forever memories.

Avoid blood sugar crashes.

Make sure you are eating well-balanced meals outside of the holiday parties. Always keep healthy snacks on hand and consider eating one of those healthy snacks prior to walking into a holiday party. This will help keep you from overindulging when you get to the party, and it can stop your blood sugar from going on a wild ride.

Choose wisely at the party to make a well-balanced plate, including high-quality protein and healthy fats to reduce extra carb cravings. And the veggies are key to help you stay full and balanced.

If you are going out to a holiday party at a restaurant, peek at the menu before you go.

This will help you make a better food choice at ordering time.

If you are going to be drinking holiday cocktails, do your best to limit the fructose (extra sugar).

Your liver is already on overload metabolizing the alcohol, so try to avoid the excess sugary mixtures and help take some of that load off of your liver.

Keep it pure alcohol that is clear such as tequila or vodka with soda. You can squeeze some citrus into it to add a bit more flavor. Dark alcohols have conjogurs in them, which can contribute to broken capillaries and hangovers. Have fun, but choose wisely.

If you overindulge and have too much holiday fun, it’s not the end of the world.

Give yourself grace and get back to your routine the next day.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated!

We tend to be all go-go-go during the holidays and it’s easy to overlook this very essential part of health. Keep your reusable water bottle filled and handy.

Holidays are about fun and being in the moment. Don’t feel bad about letting go and having fun — we all need to from time to time. Let go of the negative emotions that come with this and live in the moment. Tomorrow is always a new day to regroup and move forward positively.

And if you’re interested in nutrition coaching and learning how to make smart, healthy food choices, book a consultation. We’re here to help you on your wellness journey!