The holiday season has arrived! It might look a little different this year, but tasty foods and beverages are still sure to be part of any type of holiday celebration you might attend. If you are trying to lose weight in Tucson, then it’s important to plan ahead and follow these healthy eating tips throughout the holiday season:

Have a joyful relationship with food by pre-planning how you will enjoy holiday meals. Plan out what you want to eat and when you are going to eat throughout the day to avoid overindulging.

Don’t skip meals leading up to holiday celebrations. Eat the same way you normally would leading up to holiday meals. This way, you will be more likely to eat healthy portions of food at the holiday gatherings instead of overindulging as a result of restricting yourself.

Create a calorie budget. Think about how many calories you would like to consume for the day and keep that budget in mind when choosing foods you will eat at family meals.

Eat something small before the gathering. It might seem like a good idea to go to a gathering on an empty stomach, but this could cause you to overindulge. Eat a small and healthy snack before you go to keep you on track to eat better when you arrive.

Fill your plate with fruits and veggies. Not all holiday food options are unhealthy! You can typically find a great selection of vegetables and fruits on the dinner and dessert tables, so fill your plate with these healthier options.

Volunteer to cook healthier options. You can be sure to have a healthy selection of foods if you’re the one cooking them! Offer to cook healthier options that don’t feature so much cream and butter.

Check out your options before filling your plate. If there is a buffet, be sure to look at all of the options before you start putting anything on your plate so you can plan the healthiest meal.

Take a break after eating. It can take a while for you to realize that you’re full. Instead of going in for a second helping right away, take a short break by going for a walk or drinking some water. You might realize you don’t want another helping or you only want a smaller one.

Keep your water glass full. It is best to avoid sugary holiday drinks and stick to water. Keep a full water glass so you can drink throughout the meal and stop yourself from overeating.

Use smaller plates. If you have the option of choosing your plate size, always choose the smaller plate. This makes it easier to stick to healthy portions.

Take your time with each bite. It is easy to indulge when you’re chatting with loved ones, but try to be mindful of each bite you take. Savor the food as you are eating it and give yourself time to truly appreciate everything you are eating or drinking.

Get creative with leftovers. There are plenty of healthy ways to enjoy holiday leftovers, so don’t feel like you have to eat everything at once. Find creative and healthy ways to incorporate leftovers into your meals over the next few days.

Make sure you get enough sleep. It might not be an eating habit, but your sleep schedule can affect how much you eat and what you eat, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep throughout the holiday season.

Put distance between you and the food. If possible, try to sit far away from the food. You’ll need to get up and walk over to fill up your plate and then you’ll be less likely to mindlessly snack while chatting.

Skip the eggnog. This classic holiday beverage is quite high in calories, so it’s best to avoid it. If you want to drink, stick to lighter options and avoid overdoing it by only having one or two drinks throughout the night.

Hit the dance floor. You might be thinking about eating right during holiday gatherings—but did you know that you can also get some exercise in? Dancing can be a great way to burn calories and give yourself a workout.

Go for a walk. Don’t underestimate the power of walking! Going for a walk after your meal is another simple yet effective way to burn some calories throughout your holiday celebrations.

Don’t feel guilty about what you eat. Even if you end up overindulging during the holidays, it’s important not to feel guilty or mad at yourself.

Focus on family. Food may play a big role in many holiday celebrations, but it’s important to focus on what really matters during this time of year: your loved ones. Focus on creating special memories instead of special meals.

Talk to your weight loss coach. Working with a health coach is a great way to get the tools you need to make healthy choices and avoid temptation during the holiday season and all year long!

You can get more tips for losing weight and leading a healthy lifestyle when you partner up with a holistic health coach and functional medicine doctor here at WildBerryMD. We specialize in medical weight loss in Tucson and would love to help you achieve your goals going into the new year. Call us at (520) 762-1557 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information!