Preparing Nutritionally For The Holiday Season
The holidays have arrived, and the word indulgence quickly comes to mind. For many, the holidays are a time to surrender to all expectations and pressure; by enjoying the many delicacies the season has to offer.
From a holistic health perspective, it’s extremely important (and healthy) to avoid limiting yourself. This season is especially a reminder to give yourself grace while you enjoy the many foods you have known to come and love. Meanwhile, also understanding there’s no need to diet, restrict foods, or overexert yourself exercising in the new year as a way to compensate for enjoying the holidays.
It’s no secret this time of year is all about comforting foods and delicious desserts. While it’s often a time to enjoy the many culprits; sugar, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, dairy and gluten, believe it or not, there’s many healthy versions, options and alternatives to help your body keep and feel it’s best this holiday season. Even though eating wholesome, plant-based foods is ideal throughout most of the year, here I’ll share with you my healthier recommendations to help leave you feeling guilt-free.
Gluten – Fresh homemade breads are best as the ingredients are often better controlled and much cleaner than mass produced and highly processed breads. Whether you’re baking at home, or supporting a local artisanal bakery, there’s opportunity to seek out ingredients that include organic and/or sprouted whole grain, filtered water, sea salt, and/or fresh herbs or nuts and seeds. In this category, sourdough is one of my top recommended options as it’s generally easier to digest.
Dessert – For sweets, such as pie crusts, cakes, cookies, and muffins, there’s many recipes that call for wholesome nuts and oats as well as unpasteurized honey, maple syrup, cacao nibs and powder!
Dairy – I won’t lie, I frequently fall victim to a good quality cheese. In this category, I typically avoid products made with modified milk powder. It’s best to seek out a nice artisanal cheese containing bacterial enzyme cultures which helps to offset the negative effects of casein and contribute to a healthy gut. In place of milk and cream, I often reach for a quality fresh almond or oat milk and cashew or coconut cream.
Animal Protein – There’s nothing more comforting than your typical bacon and eggs, or similar combination, for breakfast and a spiral honey ham or hefty-sized turkey for supper. Here, I focus immensely on animals raised in an organic, free range and grass-fed environment. The reason being that conventional animal meats can be a significant factor for inflammation; negatively contributing to weight gain, hormonal imbalances, toxic liver, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Be sure to keep your servings to 4-5 ounces for easy digestion.
Alcohol – Point blank – there’s no healthy alternative to this one. But, for those interested, healthier non-alcoholic alternatives can be crafted using fresh herbs, fruit and cold-pressed juices, sparkling water or tonic, and spices.
Caffeine - Reaching for a quality organic coffee bean is key. Avoiding large servings of coffee full of refined sugar and dairy and replacing with a smaller serving of espresso or coffee with a quality fat can actually be good for you as it helps to keep your colon moving and bowels regular. Organic caffeine-free herbal teas, on the other hand, support digestion, detoxification, fight inflammation, and help maintain energy, sleep and stress.
I hope you can see, there’s a spectrum of foods and meals with a variety of healthy options and alternatives. Let this be a reminder to follow your heart desires and move forward with the season ahead – guilt free!
The guidance provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice or care of a licensed medical practitioner or to diagnose, treat, heal or cure any illness or disease. The reader is encouraged to consult with their primary care physician before making any lifestyle changes as it applies to their health profile.