Eating Healthy through the Holidays

Last Updated on December 3, 2023 by Cathy

Eating healthy throughout the holiday season is something we all want to do but it is very hard staying on track. Especially when there are so many temptations between family gatherings, holiday parties, and coworkers bringing cookies.

Many of my fondest memories are surrounded with food during the holidays. I remember as a child, my grandmother would always bring us a big box of homemade cookies. And as an adult, all the fun holiday parties we attended with delicious food and holiday drinks. I loved the whole atmosphere, the smells, and the tastes. It was magical.

I started using food as my medicine one week before Thanksgiving. I did not plan it that way. It happened because I was recovering from a horrible multiple sclerosis (MS) attack from a few weeks earlier. Half my face was paralyzed, I had double vision, slurred speech, trouble swallowing, and could not walk. I was extremely depressed.

That is when I discovered I could use food as my medicine. But, that was a long time ago even before “gluten-free” was popular so there were not many options. Watching everyone enjoying their meals while I suffered in silence was torture. At a Christmas party that year my dinner was a skimpy salad with lemon juice for the dressing. That was the worst holiday season I ever had.

It does not have to be hard

When your diet is drastically changed due to your health. You may wonder if your holiday traditions will be gone forever. You may even avoid gatherings so you don’t have to face a situation explaining your diet or worse, having nothing to eat.

I know those feelings, that sense of loss – I have been there. Today, there are many healthy options for your holiday favorites. Plus tricks I have learned to avoid all the temptations. All it takes is a little planning to be successful.

Plan Ahead

Planning is your number one trick to sticking to your diet. If you are going to a party eat before you go. You don’t need to eat a big meal but if there is very little you can eat at the party you won’t be feeling hungry. Ask if you can bring something, there is no need to tell others it’s gluten-free or paleo.

Always keep healthy food around you! Keep healthy snacks in your desk, purse, car, backpack, and even in your coat pocket. If you get hungry and there is nothing to eat you will be too tempted to eat something you know is not healthy.

Whenever my office was planning a pizza party for later that week. I would make a gluten and dairy-free pizza at home and bring it to work the day of the pizza party. It was delicious and I didn’t feel left out.

Healthy Snacks on the Go:

• Apple chips
• Coconut chips
• Fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, celery, grapes, etc.)
• Granola, make your own 
• Larabars (read the ingredients)
• Nuts
• Plantain Chips
• Pumpkin seeds
• SeaSnax
• Sunflower seeds
• Sweet potato chips
• That’s It bars
• Tortilla chips

Nutritious Autumn and Winter Foods

There are so many delicious foods throughout the year. Including the colder months of autumn and winter. During your next meal preparation include some seasonal fruits and vegetables. Seasonal produce is more fresh, and nutrient-dense, plus they taste delicious.

You will also be saving money. When produce is in season prices go down thanks to the abundance from local farmers. Plus the cost of shipping goes down. When the farmer saves money, you save money.

Avoid lots of sugary treats, even if they’re made from natural sugars. Infections such as yeast overgrowth, bacteria, or parasites feed off sugar. It doesn’t matter what kind of sugar it is. Avoid sugar spikes and sugar crashes and try to keep your blood sugar level.

Autumn and winter fruits and vegetables include:

• Beets
• Brussel sprouts
• Cranberries
• Citrus fruits
• Pomegranates
• Rutabaga
• Sweet potatoes
• Turnips
• Winter squash

Changing Traditions

Food is such a huge focus in our society, especially around the holidays. But you can create new traditions that don’t focus on food. Instead spend an evening watching Christmas movies, playing board games, or going for a drive looking at Christmas lights.

Instead of traditions revolving around food spend quality time with loved ones. It’s the time we spend and genuinely connect with loved ones that matter the most.

Exercise

The holiday season gets pretty busy but it is extremely important to not forget to exercise. Exercising is just as important as eating healthy. It gets your blood flowing, improves balance, and spasticity, decreases muscle atrophy, and more. Plus, it lifts your spirits. Don’t you feel better after exercising?

• Massage
• Swimming
• Stretching
• Tai chi
• Walking
• Yoga

I use, and like, OptimalBody Personal Fitness. It’s an online gym for people with MS that you can do in the comfort of your home. The owner, David Lyons, also has MS so he knows from experience which exercises work.

Don’t Stress Out

The holiday season is stressful! With shopping deadlines, crowds, traveling, and weather conditions. On top of holiday stress, there’s also the daily stress of living with MS. Between chronic fatigue, brain fog, walking issues, and so much more it is stressful.

Then you go and add dietary restrictions, and talk about stress overload. Stress is toxic! It can lead to symptoms such as physical (exacerbations) or emotional (anxiety, depression). Life is stressful enough, don’t let the holiday hustle and bustle get to you.

There is nothing wrong with telling people no or passing on invitations. Setting realistic goals, pacing yourself, and planning can help elevate the stress. Your health is worth it!

If you are feeling overwhelmed lighten up in other areas. Lighten up on housework, delegate chores to others, and shop online to avoid crowds. If you need help reach out to someone and seek help.

 

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Eating Healthy through the Holidays