6 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Holidays (Without Feeling Restricted)

TL;DR: Don't skip meals to "save calories" (it makes you ravenously hungry and you'll overeat). Stay hydrated. Bring healthy food you actually enjoy, not just a veggie plate. Have a small bite of everything so you don't feel restricted. Eat the rainbow of whole foods. And if you're drinking, pick your favorite holiday drinks and switch to lighter options for the rest of the night.

I know that with the holidays coming, a lot of people are worried about overeating, gaining weight, and falling out of their nutrition and exercise routine. I wanted to help you get a jumpstart on knowing exactly how to handle that when that time comes.

1. Don't "save" your calories

Don't save all of your calories by skipping meals leading up to the big holiday meal.

All that's going to do is make you incredibly hungry. And typically when we're hungry, we eat faster. The faster you eat, the more likely you are to overeat.

2. Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated also helps manage your appetite because you're less likely to be ravenously hungry if you're fully hydrated.

Simple but it makes a huge difference.

3. Bring food you'll actually eat

Bring food, but bring food that you actually enjoy that's still healthy.

Here's the thing: when you see advice like "bring a veggie plate with some ranch or hummus," that probably for most people is not going to be as appealing as the platter of desserts at every holiday party.

Instead, take the time to look for a healthy version of a recipe that you'll enjoy. That way you'll actually gravitate toward what you brought that's healthier, rather than just bringing it for the sake of taking up space.

4. Eat everything (within reason)

When I say eat everything, I mean have a little bite or a small portion of everything that's there.

Why? So you don't feel restricted. You don't feel like you're cheating. And you don't feel as tempted by everything, because you know what's available and you've had the opportunity to actually enjoy all the food.

5. Eat the rainbow

Making sure that you're getting in all your nutrients is another way to manage your appetite.

There should be some vegetables available at most holiday gatherings. Try to get a variety of whole foods of different colors throughout your plate.

6. Drink responsibly (in a particular way)

If there's a ton of decadent holiday drinks (eggnogs, White Russians, whatever), try to pick your favorites and for the rest of the night drink something a little bit lighter.

And of course, drink as much water as possible to combat the alcohol.

The point isn't to be perfect during the holidays. It's to enjoy yourself while not completely derailing your progress. These tips might seem different than what you're used to hearing, but they work because they're sustainable.